BMW Reveals New i4 Electric Sedan’s Interior, Specs And U.S Pricing

Not only has the 2022 BMW i4 M50 been announced today but the German brand has also fully detailed the slightly more affordable and accessible eDrive40 variant heading to U.S. shores in Q1 of 2022. Prices start at $55,400 plus a $995 destination charge, which compares to the i4 M50’s starting MSRP of $65,900.

Powering the BMW i4 eDrive40 is a single electric motor at the rear axle that pumps out 335 hp and 307 lb-ft (416 Nm) of torque between 0 and 5,000 rpm. This motor gets its 81.5 kWh battery pack and a one-speed transmission transmits power to the pavement. BMW is keen to point that its electric motors don’t use rare earth minerals and have an efficiency factor of 93 per cent compared with less than 40 per cent of most internal combustion engines.

In a straight-line, the i4 eDrive40 will hit 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.7 seconds and continue through to a top speed of 118 mph (189 km/h). That’s BMW 330i territory with the base U.S. model reaching 62mph in 5.6 sec in RWD form and 5.3 sec in AWD xDrive trim.

The battery underpinning the i4 eDrive40 is the brand’s fifth generation of its BMW eDrive high-voltage batteries and comprises of four modules with 72 cells each and three 12-cell modules. With 81.5 kWh in total capacity, the i4 eDrive40 will deliver an estimated range of around 300 miles (482 km) on the EPA cycle. The EV also supports fast-charging at up to 200 kW, meaning 90 miles of range can be added in as little as 10 minutes.

To ensure U.S. buyers aren’t crippled by range anxiety, BMW has partnered with EVgo to provide i4 owners with access to what is the nation’s largest public fast charging network.

Compared to a traditional 3-Series sedan, the center of gravity of the i4 eDrive40 sits 2.1-inches lower. Key standard features that will aid in handling include lift-related shock absorbers, rear air suspension, electromechanical steering with Servotronic function, an advanced Dynamic Stability Control system, and near-actuator wheel slip limitation. This system is “designed to bring the advantages of rear-wheel drive to the world of electric mobility in the BMW i4 eDrive40,” the carmaker says.

Typical EV interior with a massive screen

The interior of the i4 eDrive40 is a mixture of traditional ICE BMW but updated with some of the features consumers have come to expect of electric vehicles. Most notably, the cabin of the i4 rocks a massive 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a 14.9-inch infotainment display combined into a single unit and featuring a slight curve. BMW also says this screen features anti-reflective glass that means it doesn’t need a normal binnacle to shade it from the sun. The screen operates on the iDrive 8 software that allows for over-the-air updates. A Head-Up display is also fitted and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto is supported.

The EV comes standard with three-zone automatic climate control that can be adjusted via the screen or by voice command, meaning there are no physical dials to control fan speed and temperature. Activating the seat heating and ventilation is also controlled through the touchscreen but there still remains some physical buttons throughout the cabin.

All i4 models come standard with a glass slide/tilt sunroof measuring 3.6-square feet. An ambient light system is also available as an option while included as standard equipment is a 10-speaker audio system with a 205-watt amplifier. A Harman Kardon surround sound system with 16 speakers and a digital seven-channel amplifier is offered as an option.

Various driver assistance systems come standard or are optional on the i4 eDrive40, giving the vehicle Level 2 autonomy. Key features include Active Cruise Control with a Stop & Go function, Speed Limit Assist, and the Driving Assistance Professional system that uses three front cameras, one front-facing radar and four side radars that enable the use of Steering and Lane Control Assistant.