BMW i4 Electric Vehicle

Introduction

BMW says its latest is many things. It is the BMW i4 Electric Vehicle first electric mid-size sedan; it is India’s longest-range electric vehicle; and it is also sporty, dynamic, and comfortable. Meet the BMW i4. Unlike the iX, it wasn’t born electric but is instead based on the ICE 3-Series platform. Our plan with this review is to put a few of BMW’s statements to the test. Now, we don’t doubt its claims regarding the i4’s range, or it being the first mid-sized electric sedan in the country. We would, however, like to see if it is, in fact, as sporty as BMW claims. And because we are only driving the i4 for a few laps around the 2km oval track at ICAT in Manesar near Delhi, we will have to circle back to ‘comfort’ in the follow-up review.

BMW i4 Electric Vehicle

The track is essentially two near-900m straights connected by two tight and steep bankings. Both the straights are tarmac-ed, while the bankings are made of concrete. Our goal is to see if the i4 can put a smile on our faces with its acceleration, with its rear-wheel-drive layout, and its promised connectivity. The latter, thankfully, has nothing to do with apps but is all about the car’s mechanicals – its chassis, its steering, and possibly its talkative nature. The fully-electric BMW i4 delivers outstanding dynamics with a high level of comfort and the ideal qualities to make it your daily driver. The five-door model comes equipped with fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology for sporty performance figures. With a long range of up to 483 kilometres* and five spacious full-sized seats, it is the perfect companion for any

THE FULLY-ELECTRIC BMW i4 eDRIVE40 DELIVERS A RANGE OF UP TO 590 KM.

BMW i4 eDrive40 G26 2021 Mineral White three-quarter rear view driving
Thanks to the interplay of an efficient drivetrain concept, lightweight construction, aerodynamic design, and a powerful high-voltage battery, the fully-electric BMW i4 reaches ranges of up to 590 kilometres*. Innovative technologies, such as brake energy recovery, help to extend the range and reduce energy consumption to 20 to 16 kWh/100 km.

The Basics

The basics for the BMW i4 are pretty straightforward. BMW took its existing 4-series and swapped out the internal combustion powertrain for an electric one. The latter includes an 83.9kWh battery pack, which then drives a motor mounted on the rear axle. The claimed output for the electric powertrain is 340bhp with the maximum torque rated at 430Nm. As you can tell, these figures suddenly make the 330i feel slow. To cement that feeling, BMW claims, the i4 eDrive40, will go from 0-100kmph in just 5.7 seconds. Still slower than the M340i, but fast, nonetheless.

Why do the ranges vary?

The respective range of an electric vehicle depends on various factors such as driving style, route conditions, vehicle equipment, weather conditions and payload.

The Drive

Now, when it comes to driving, I have driven a fair amount of EVs. So, I assumed I would now be immune to the ferocity with which an EV gets off the line. As a result, I won’t be making silly, childish noises anymore as I stomp on the throttle pedal. But no, I still made them when I got going in the i4. And, they were even more incomprehensible.

The drive went something like this.

I lined up at the start of the near-900m straight. I pushed the driving mode button labelled Sport. Took a breath. And floored it. But, before I could even blink, I was making happy noises while my head snapped back into the headrest as the i4 went ballistic from a standstill. And before I knew it, 150kmph was just a speck in the rearview mirror. But, the i4 wasn’t ready to let off. It kept accelerating with unrelenting ferocity; it was almost like the horizon was its long lost love, and nothing in the world could stop the i4 from embracing it.

Thankfully, the i4 has brakes. And, pretty potent ones. So, I stand on them, and almost go out the front windscreen; thank god for seat belts. But, it isn’t enough. I have miscalculated how fast we are travelling, the i4 and I. I blame this on ICE conditioning, which is me having gotten used to various telltale signs from an internal combustion engine powered car. Signs like a loud engine, vibrations, and drama, generally stop me from overdoing things. I don’t have that help with the i4.So, we enter the bumpy banking still heavy on the brakes. At the same time, I am asking a little too much from the car’s front end as I dial in an aggressive steering lock to avoid going into the barrier of what is not very wide banking. I have started working on my apology to BMW for I might destroy their car when I realise, that not only is the i4 taking a tighter line into the banking, it isn’t getting upset over the bumps either. And before I know it, we are exactly where I wanted to be – halfway through the banking, safe and sound. And we are now almost pointing towards the exit of the banking and onto the second long straight on the track. Which only meant one thing – floor it!

And I do. Only to hear some more of my unintelligible happy noises.

The excitement, however, didn’t end there. As it turns out the i4 decided to reward me for my bravery. So, coming out of the aforementioned banking, it let its rear end come out in a progressive and manageable slide. It wasn’t huge, but because it felt so initiative and controlled, I kept adding more throttle instead of backing off. Eventually, the ESC came knocking. But for that small period, it felt hugely fulfilling. It also revealed that electric or ICE, a rear-wheel-drive BMW sedan is always game for some fun.

In detail

High average speeds (highway) reduce the range most significantly, while inner-city traffic leads to a higher range due to lower speed and higher recuperation shares (in contrast to vehicles with internal combustion engines). Furthermore, the range is reduced at low temperatures due to heating, and high temperatures with strong air conditioning. Regarding the special features/equipment, the selection of larger tire combinations generally reduces the range (if the aerodynamic disadvantage is not compensated for by a more closed wheel design). The rolling resistance class of tires is also relevant for the range: e.g. the use of a winter tire reduces the range compared to a Label A summer tire.

General range specification and range values in this indicator

In the model selection, the communicated range is based on the WLTP (Worldwide harmonized Light-Duty Test Procedure) cycle. WLTP enables a calculation of the range under prescribed driving conditions. WLTP assumes a defensive driving style with a route mix of city streets, country roads and highways. The range indicator enables you to estimate the range under your typical driving conditions. The outer circle represents the calculated range value based on linear distances (not the actual street map), while the inner circle shows the calculated value -30% to take the real-life routes into account.

What are the assumptions underlying the driving style settings?

Setting a “sporty” driving style assumes 100% highway driving with an average speed of approximately 130 km/h and a dynamic overtaking style. The “economical” setting assumes defensive driving on country roads with an average speed of around 80 km/h. Settings in between produce a mixture of both.

Conclusion

The BMW i4 is fast. Very fast. It also slows down with as much ferocity. Plus, it’s eager and forgiving if your ambition eclipses your skill. But, it’s the way the i4 is calibrated – it is progressive, it is intuitive, and it is exciting, be it the steering, the throttle response, or the chassis’ adjustability – which makes the i4 desirable and agreeable at the same time.

It’s practical too. With a 500km-plus range, quick charging times, and a spacious and usable cabin, it has the potential to be your everyday car. And at Rs 69.90 lakh, ex-showroom, it’s around Rs 4 lakh more expensive than the gorgeous M340i, we agree. But then the i4 also gives you a ‘green’ card to flaunt without being boring or stripping you of your life’s savings. Now that has to count for something.

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