BMW i4

The BMW i4 is an all-electric four-door fastback styled sedan under development by German automobile manufacturer BMW, which was first unveiled as a concept car named i Vision Dynamics at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. Marketed as a four-door "Gran Coupé", it is the fifth model of the electric BMW i sub-brand with sales commencing in 2021.

BMW i4
Overview
ManufacturerBMW
Also calledBMW i Vision Dynamics
Production2021 (planned)
AssemblyMunich, Germany
DesignerLim Seung-mo (i Vision Dynamics)[1]
Body and chassis
ClassCompact executive car (D)
Body style4-door fastback sedan
Layout
PlatformCluster Architecture (CLAR)
Powertrain
TransmissionSingle-speed with fixed ratio
Battery80 kWh lithium-ion
Electric range600 km (373 miles) WLTP
Plug-in charging
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,993 mm (117.8 in)
Length4,804 mm (189.1 in)
Width1,933 mm (76.1 in)
Height1,387 mm (54.6 in)

Development and launch
The i Vision Dynamics concept of 2017 gave a hint at BMW's intention to make a mid-sized electric Gran Coupe.

The initial i Vision Dynamics concept debuted at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show,[2] and was built on the flexible CLAR platform rather than a carbon-fibre structure as with the contemporary i3 and i8 electric models.[3] The production version was announced at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show as the BMW i4.[4] A second concept, designed as 85% production ready, was unveiled in March 2020.[5]

At the 2018 Paris Motor Show, BMW confirmed the i4 would utilize lightweight construction to make the model attractive in an electric market weighed down by bulky batteries that reduce on-road handling.[6] An investment of about €200 million in the Munich plant was made in preparation for the 2021 series production as it is built on the same assembly line as cars with combustion engines and plug-in hybrids.[7] However, 10 percent of the production line is unique to the i4, especially the machinery involved in building the rear crash structure and integration of the high-voltage battery pack into the production process.[8] The plant was closed for six weeks to convert more than 1000 robots in the body shop and assembly area. The i4’s electric motor is assembled in Dingolfing.[9]

Specifications

The production model is based on the modular CLAR platform to keep costs low and volume-production attainable,[10] and it is described as a battery-powered G20 3 Series.[11][12]

The electric drive component of the BMW i4, its charging unit and high-voltage battery are all developed in-house by the BMW Group. A notable technical feature of the i4's powertrain concerns its packaging. The electric motor, transmission and power electronics are all contained in a single component, which allows for a higher efficiency of energy conversion.[13]

The fifth-generation eDrive system supports up to 150 kW DC fast charging. The 80 kWh battery pack, which weighs roughly 550 kg (1,213 lb), can be charged to 80 percent in 35 minutes or six minutes for a range of 100 km (62 mi).[14] The design of the high-voltage battery is characterized by its extremely flat design and optimized energy density.[15]

Equipment

All models feature the BMW Curved Display that combines the instrument cluster and infotainment system with a redesigned touch interface within a single unit. An updated iDrive controller is also retained on the centre console.[10] The driving sounds are co-developed with Academy Award winner Hans Zimmer.[16]

Models

The model planned to be introduced at launch is the sDrive80 with a single-motor, rear-wheel-drive layout. Additional power and range models will be available.[17]

Model Years Net capacity Power Torque 0–100 km/h (62 mph) Top speed Range
BMW i4 sDrive80[17] 2021– 80 kWh 390 kW (530 PS; 523 hp) TBA 4.0 seconds 200 km/h (124 mph) +270 mi (435 km) EPA[18]
373 mi (600 km)WLTP
  • i Vision Dynamics (front)
  • i Vision Dynamics
  • i Vision Dynamics (lateral)
  • i Vision Dynamics
  • i Vision Dynamics (rear)
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References
  1. "'Korean car designers play greater roles'". The Korea Times. 2019-04-15. Retrieved 2019-04-23.
  2. "BMW i Vision Dynamics concept-inspired i5 to spark new era of i cars". Autocar. 2017-09-22. Retrieved 2018-03-10.
  3. "Insight: how new BMW platforms can cope with multiple powertrains". Autocar. 2017-12-04. Retrieved 2019-09-12.
  4. "BMW confirms new electric i4 sedan coming to production based on Vision Dynamics concept". Electrek. 2018-03-06. Retrieved 2018-03-10.
  5. Quiroga, Tony (2020-03-03). "BMW Readies i4, Its Answer to Tesla". Car and Driver. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
  6. "New 2021 BMW i4 will spearhead rapid electric expansion". Autocar. 2018-10-02. Retrieved 2018-10-02.
  7. "BMW puts €200M into Munich plant to make electric i4". Electrive. 2018-12-11. Retrieved 2018-12-11.
  8. "BMW unveils Concept i4 electric Gran Coupé; 600 km range". Green Car Congress. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  9. "BMW to convert Munich plant for i4 production this summer". electrive.com. 2020-01-17. Retrieved 2020-01-21.
  10. "New BMW i4 to take BMW electric cars mainstream in 2021". Auto Express. 2018-10-17. Retrieved 2018-10-17.
  11. "What's Going on at BMW? Many Future/Current Cars Are Being Axed". Automobile Magazine. 2019-07-29. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  12. "BMW r&d chief sees rising demand for diverse, multifunctional powertrains". Automotive News Europe. 2020-01-05. Retrieved 2020-04-14.
  13. "BMW i4: this is how far and how hard BMW's latest electric car will go". Motorburn. 2019-12-04. Retrieved 2019-12-05.
  14. "BMW details i4 electric car, stresses next-gen advances". electrive.com. 2019-11-18. Retrieved 2019-11-19.
  15. "BMW plans different sized battery cells to preserve design of future models". Autonews. 2018-04-18. Retrieved 2018-04-25.
  16. "BMW Concept i4 to go into series production in 2021". www.autodevot.com. Retrieved 9 March 2020.
  17. "2021 BMW i4 details revealed: 80-kWh battery, 530 hp, 373-mile range". CNET.
  18. O'Kane, Sean (2020-03-03). "BMW's electric i4 sedan finally shown off in concept form". The Verge. Retrieved 2020-03-03.
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