BMW Concept i4 Wants to Eat Tesla Model 3’s Lunch
As you probably know, BMW is developing a brand new electric car that will directly take on the Tesla Model 3, not to mention the upcoming Audi e-tron GT. It’s called i4 and the concept unveiled yesterday will enter production next year as a 2022 model.
Using an 80-kWh battery, the BMW Concept i4 can travel up to 600 kilometres based on the WLTP cycle. In North America, that number will be revised and should be similar or even slightly higher than the range delivered by Elon Musk’s compact car (402-518 kilometres).
Designed for a charging capacity of up to 150 kW, said battery can be charged to around 80 percent in a little over half an hour. Just six minutes of charging will give you nearly 100 kilometres of range.
An integral part of BMW’s fifth-generation eDrive technology, the electric powertrain of the Concept i4 generates 390 kilowatts or 523 horsepower—roughly equal to a turbocharged BMW V8 engine—and allows 0-100 km/h acceleration of approximately four seconds, the company claims. Top speed exceeds 200 km/h.
The Concept i4 includes several exterior and interior design elements that will make an appearance in both the BMW i4 and other electrically powered production vehicles, starting with that monstrous grille behind which various sensors are mounted.
Similar in size to a 4 Series Gran Coupe, the car also impresses with futuristic-looking headlights and wheels. Blue elements in the front end, sides and rear end point to its BMW i origins and emphasize its electric nature.
In terms of driving, BMW promises the future i4 will retain the dynamics of the brand’s other compacts such as the acclaimed 3 Series sedan. All-wheel drive will be part of the package, as well.
Inside the i4, the instrument display and centre touchscreen will form a single, curved interface oriented toward the driver. That’s where most of the controls will be found, leaving just a few physical buttons in the cabin. The Gold Bronze trim elements will hardly make it to production, but the crystal iDrive selector might. As for the concept’s gigantic panoramic roof, expect it to shrink.
BMW is also talking about a combination of cloth and natural leather for the seats and other interior surfaces, which is somewhat surprising. Many of the new EV concepts prefer to avoid leather and use more eco-friendly materials.