BMW is launching a new, more entry-level “eDrive35” version of its BMW i4. If the i4 lowers its entry ticket, the brand takes the opportunity, on the other hand, to noticeably and discreetly raise the price of the other engines in the catalogue.
BMW has been working for some time to offer a new version of its i4 coupe. That’s good: we just needed the price of this new version to approach the subject with all the cards in hand. By displaying a price of 53,550 €, one thing is certain, it is that the Model 3 of Tesla is well in the viewfinder of BMW.
With just under €8,000 difference with the eDrive40 version, this i4 eDrive35 has something to capture the attention of potential buyers.
Features of the BMW i4 eDrive35
After eDrive40 and M50, this third variant is positioned as the entry level, with a smaller motor/battery assembly. The engine of the eDrive35 version develops 210 kW (286 hp) and a maximum torque of 400 Nm. Like the eDrive40, it is rear-wheel drive. Its 0 to 100 km/h is achieved in 6.0 seconds, which also corresponds to what the Tesla Model 3 propulsion offers.
This version is equipped with a battery with a useful capacity of 68 kWh compared to more than 80 kWh for the other engines. Autonomy can reach up to 483 km wltp, with average consumption between 15.8 and 18.7 kWh/100 km.
The charging power on direct current (DC) fast terminals is also lower on this entry-level version, since the charging peak will not exceed 180 kW. As the battery capacity is lower, the recharge time from 10% to 80% is ultimately equivalent to the other models, approximately 31 to 32 minutes.
| i4 eDrive35 | i4 eDrive40 | i4 M50 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powerful | i4 eDrive35210 kW (286 hp) | i4 eDrive40250 kW (340 hp) | i4 M50400 kW (544 hp) |
| Transmission | i4 eDrive35Propulsion | i4 eDrive40Propulsion | i4 M50xDrive Integral |
| Battery capacity | i4 eDrive3568 kWh | i4 eDrive4080.7kW | i4 M5080.7kW |
| Autonomy wltp | i4 eDrive35483km | i4 eDrive40589km | i4 M50519km |
| DC charging power | i4 eDrive35180kW | i4 eDrive40205kW | i4 M50205kW |
| Price as of 09/29/22 | i4 eDrive35€53,550 | i4 eDrive40€61,500 | i4 M50 €74,900 |
i4 eDrive35: a good alternative to the Tesla Model 3 propulsion?
With a price starting at €53,550, the BMW i4 eDrive35 is positioned at the same price as the Tesla Model 3 propulsion, which is currently sold from €53,490. And on the performance side, the BMW i4 has nothing to be ashamed of. The two models borrow two different but fairly similar driving philosophies.
The Tesla will certainly be a little more efficient than the i4, but in terms of perceived quality on board, it’s the i4 that takes a step ahead.
The disadvantage of German models is that if the basic price is attractive, one is quickly tempted to add some equipment which can quickly increase the bill. There, where at Tesla, the choice is much more limited.
This BMW i4 eDrive35 seems relevant in any case compared to the Tesla Model 3. Especially since BMW offers one year of unlimited charging on the Ionity network. Finally, this engine will be available from November, while the deadlines for the Model 3 remain quite fluctuating.
Hey there, who goes there? A discreet increase in the other engines of the i4
Few manufacturers have not reviewed catalog prices upwards in recent months. BMW had not until now passed on the various increases in raw materials on its models. But the arrival of the latter has made it possible to relatively discreetly increase the base price of the eDrive40 and the M50.
Our last tally of manufacturer prices on September 26 gave a BMW i4 edrive40 to €59,550she just went to €61,500. The sportiest version, i4 M50, saw its price increase by just over €3,000. However, this remains well below the range of increases observed in recent months, which is between 8 and 15%.