BMW has announced a number of updates to its 2024 lineup in the USA, which center around a new all-wheel-drive version of the i4 electric sports sedan and a further expansion of the 7-Series line with more electrified options on offer. BMW will also be introducing an updated version of its Operating System, which will be available on certain models starting in July.
- The i4 lineup expands with the all-wheel drive, 396-horsepower i4 xDrive40.
- The 7 Series adds new electrified models: 750e xDrive PHEV and i7 eDrive50.
- The 6-cylinder 740i will be available with xDrive all-wheel drive.
- Initial phase-in of BMW Operating System 8.5 in certain models begins.
Enter 2024 BMW i4 xDrive40 Grand Coupe
The 2024 BMW i4 will now be available in xDrive40 trim, becoming the second all-wheel drive option in the i4 range. It’s positioned below the M Performance i4 M50 but offers a decent turn of speed thanks to the dual electric motor setup, putting out 396 hp (401 PS / 295 kW) and 443 lb-ft (600 Nm) of torque. The new variant can get up to 60 mph (96 km/h) in 4.9 seconds, which is 0.6 seconds quicker than the two-wheel drive, single-motor i4 eDrive40. It’s still not a patch on the top-of-the-line M50, though, which can rocket to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 3.7 seconds.
Related: Quad-Motor BMW M i4 Prototype Continues Development Despite No Production Plans
In terms of range, the i4 xDrive40 can manage 307 miles (494 km) with its 18-inch aero wheels, although that drops to 282 miles (454 km) if you treat yourself to the 19-inch upgrade (all according to BMW’s estimates that are based on the EPA test procedure). The range estimate is roughly the same as that found on the single-motor version, despite having the same lithium-ion battery with a net usable energy content of 80.7 kWh.
U.S. deliveries will commence in the third quarter of 2023, while the 2024 BMW i4 xDrive40 will start at a base MSRP of $61,600 plus a $995 destination and handling charge, meaning it sits between the $57,100 i4 eDrive40 and the $68,700 i4 M50.
7-Series Lineup Swells
On the luxury flagship front, BMW has expanded the 7-Series lineup further soon after the introduction of the i7 M70 xDrive. Two new hybrid offerings will debut for the 2024 model year in the form of the 750e xDrive and the BMW i7 eDrive50. Plus, the 740i gets an xDrive version in addition to the two-wheel drive version already on sale.
The $107,000 (plus $995 destination) 750e xDrive may be a new addition to the U.S. market, but it’s been available in Europe since late 2022. The plug-in hybrid features a 308-hp (312 PS / 230 kW) TwinPower Turbo 3.0-liter 6-cylinder coupled with a transmission-mounted 194-hp (197 PS / 145 kW) electric motor. The result is a maximum system output of 483 hp (490 PS / 360 kW) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque, with a pure-electric range of 32 miles (51 km).
See Also: New 650 HP BMW i7 M70 xDrive Is The Closest To An M7 We’ll Ever Get
The i7 eDrive50 will be the third i7 offered to U.S. customers. It ditches the dual-motor all-wheel drive layout found in the xDrive60 and M70 and settles on a rear-wheel drive single-motor setup. Range and performance figures are yet to be announced, but this version of the i7 will start at $105,700 plus a $995 destination and handling fee.
Finally, 2024 will see the addition of all-wheel drive to the 740i. With all four wheels powered, the 740i xDrive’s 0–60 mph (0–96 km/h) time drops from 5.1 seconds to 4.9 while pricing will start at $99,400 plus $995 destination.
BMW Operating System 8.5 Promises Better Functionality
This summer, BMW will be introducing its updated operating system to a number of models. BMW Operating System 8.5 will feature a better-designed home screen with “QuickSelect” while sub-menus are being banished. The intention is to allow all relevant functions and info to be shown on a single level, with live widgets appearing on the UI. The Linux-based operating system takes better advantage of the BMW Curved Display found in most models of the brand’s lineup and emphasizes interaction through touch and voice.
All vehicles currently fitted with BMW OS 8 will get 8.5 as an upgrade during the year. Beginning with July production, BMW Operating System 8.5 will be introduced in BMW iX models, BMW i4 models, and BMW 7 Series models. In August, the new system will be fitted to BMW X5 and X6 models (M models will not feature QuickSelect), BMW X7 models, and BMW XM (without QuickSelect).