They, those responsible, were brave when they 2013 the technically exciting i3 on the market, which does not fit into the rest of the Bavarian range. We do not know whether the rather hesitant interest of the customers was the reason why the next attempt in the direction of electromobility was so much lead time. What is certain, however, is that the new attempt is not only more broadly based, but also starts where quantities are made globally. There will presumably be a lot of people who find it regrettable to alarming that this does not take place in the field of automotive asceticism, but in comparatively large and heavy models.

BMW is planning a series of battery-electric vehicles in addition to the numerous plug-in hybrids that are already on the market. IX3 and iX are SUVs, and BMW probably doesn’t have to worry about their global sales. You will almost certainly find buyers because of their massive contemporary appearance. The i4 is intended to appeal to a different target group – a battery-electric sedan whose premiere is planned for June. It is uncertain whether it will stay that way, the corona pandemic is also leaving its unsightly marks here. BMW only makes a vague statement: Production of the i4 is scheduled to start this year. The factory in Munich was already retrofitted during the summer break 2020 so that the i4 in addition to 3 and 4-series can be manufactured on one track.

Impressive handling The limousine is currently completing the last set-up drives on which little things are still should be sorted out. During the first ride in a near-series prototype on a test site near Munich, it becomes clear that the i4 has classic BMW virtues. Rear air springs are standard, an adaptive chassis will only be available for an extra charge. The development team attaches great importance to the i4 not only being able to drive straight ahead quickly, but also offering handling that should take your breath away.

This can only be confirmed from the passenger seat, because the thrust is off The booth is huge, but only at the limit does the two-tonne mid-range model show what it can do. In a curve combination, the i4 has more than speed before braking 170 on it. The body does not wobble noticeably, mainly due to the low center of gravity. The first impression: This sedan should play a leading role in terms of driving dynamics.

BMW i4 2021 (6 pictures) The i4 should address those customers who are looking for the traditional brand feeling and are therefore foreign to the SUV format.

Two drives are initially planned. The basic model with rear-wheel drive should already offer 200 kW, the larger expansion stage 350 kW. That shouldn’t end there, because an M model will almost certainly follow. No question about it, even with the entry-level model, the i4 accelerates impressively rapidly, the more powerful version breathtakingly. A battery with 71 kWh energy content provided, with which in the WLTP a range of around 600 km should be possible. It will be interesting to see what the maximum charging capacity is. Anything below 150 kW would be quite a bit Surprise we don’t expect. The charging cables can be found in a 38 Liter compartment under the trunk.

Driver-oriented – a bit The remains of earlier necessities can still be seen in the interior. Above all, this includes an astonishingly wide central tunnel. A multi-stage gearbox used to be housed there, which is unnecessary in this form in the i4. Here you could have imagined creating space for the owners in the first row. Unlike Mercedes so far, BMW slightly angles the right part of the display front towards the driver. The number of buttons for direct operation is further reduced. Anyone who does not want to get used to the increasingly better voice control will have a difficult time in perspective, even if there will still be a turn-push control and presumably also largely freely assignable favorite keys.

BMW i4 study (6 pictures) It may seem disturbing to some people, but they have to …

BMW once proclaimed the doctrine of made-to-measure suits that are only chosen as large as absolutely necessary. Those days are over and have been replaced by a certain generosity. In the pictures of the study, the car looks quite spacious and airy, an impression that is enhanced by a white lining and a huge glass roof. The production model then corrects the impression, but four adults can travel comfortably. There should no longer be fabric seats in the i4, the customer has the choice between (partial) leather seats, Alcantara and a vegan cover. The cargo space holds 470 to 1290 liters.

BMW i4 study interior (7 pictures) The interior of the study should also be very similar in principle to the production model.

No bargain to be expected It is still far too early to speculate about prices, although it should be clear that BMW, entirely in accordance with the own claim to address a solvent target group. Whoever has the current BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé with 185 kW, leather and large infotainment has 50. 000 Euro already clearly exceeded. Since BMW will hardly have in mind to demolish the business with the combustion engines earlier than expected, the base i4 will be with 200 kW, standard leather seats and Giga-Infotainment hardly less than 60. 000 Euro. Unlike the i3, which does not have a direct successor, Bayern can still expect brisk demand.

(mfz)