BMW has been slowly updating its electric portfolio in India. After unveiling the i7 internationally, the Bavarian giant has launched the BMW i4 all-electric sedan today. Priced at Rs 69.90 lakh (ex-showroom), the electric sedan comes to our shores as a completely built unit (CBU), with bookings already underway.
Design-wise, the electric sedan shares the same silhouette as the BMW 4 Series but with EV-specific highlights, like that unique front grille that is now closed off. Other notable tweaks include a new set of alloys and a new bumper design. There are L-shaped rear lights as well.
Step inside the electric sedan and things get fancy. Taking the centre stage here is the free-standing touchscreen infotainment system with a digital driver’s display and the company’s latest iDrive 8 user interface system. Audio functions are carried out by the 464W 17-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, and you get wireless phone charger, wireless smartphone connectivity, powered front seats, and also ambient lighting.
Safety here is taken care of by multiple airbags and electronic stability control. The BMW i4 sadly misses out on Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
Similar to the iX, the BMW i4 is based on CLAR architecture and packs an 83.9kWh battery pack that powers the rear axle-mounted electric motor. As per the spec sheet, this eDrive 40 variant produces 340hp and 430Nm of torque. BMW claims the i4 can accelerate from 0-100kph in just 5.7 seconds, with an electronically limited top speed of 190kph. It remains to be seen if the carmaker will launch the M50 xDrive variant at a later date.
Coming to the heart of the matter, the Bavarian giant claims that the i4 offers a range of 590km (WLPT), the highest amongst all luxury offerings in India. It can be charged with a wall box charger, with 0-100 percent top-up coming up in 8.5 hours, which isn’t the quickest of the lot when compared to other EVs. However, there’s also a 205kW DC Fast Charger which takes the battery from 10-80 percent in just 31 minutes.
The all-electric BMW i4 will lock horns against the Volvo XC40 Recharge and upcoming Kia EV6. We cannot wait to get our hands on the all-electric i4 for an in-depth road test review.
( Image credits: BMW Motors )
