BMW i4

Underpinning the fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology, BMW’s first-ever all-electric Gran Coupe, the i4, now in Malaysia. 

Fully-imported (CBU), three variants (i4 eDrive35, i4 eDrive35 M Sport, i4 eDrive40 M Sport) are on offer, flanking the range-topper and first electric M model, the i4 M50.

Priced (OTR, w/o insurance) accordingly at MYR 258,210, MYR 284,210 and MYR 384,210, (standard - two-year warranty), and at MYR 273,800, MYR 299,800 and MYR 399,800 (extended - five-year unlimited mileage warranty, six-year free service package). The battery is covered separately by an eight-year/160,000 KM warranty. 

Exterior colours. Black Sapphire, Mineral White, Sanremo Green, Aventurine Red, Skyscraper Grey (i4 eDrive35, i4 eDrive35 M Sport), M Brooklyn Grey (i4 eDrive35 M Sport, i4 eDrive40 M Sport), M Portimao Blue (i4 eDrive35 M Sport, i4 eDrive40 M Sport).

Radiating premium craftsmanship, the dashboard of the BMW i4 sees a modern, clean-cut and flat design all around, draped in Sensatec black leather. 

Highlighting it are Finewood Trim Oak Grain Open-Pored (i4 eDrive35) and Aluminium Rhombicle Anthracite M (i4 eDrive35 M Sport, i4 eDrive40 M Sport) interior trims.

Main highlight being the massive one-piece BMW Curved Display, integrated and taking command of the top half of the dash. 

Overall, the layout arrangement is well put with every accessibility, of which the controls get a galvanic finish (i4 eDrive40 M Sport), having easy reachability and driver-oriented.

One half of the BMW Curved Display, it features a fully digital 12.3-Inch LCD high-resolution instrument cluster. Variants (i4 eDrive35 M Sport, i4 eDrive40 M Sport) add on a BMW Heads-Up Display (HUD). 

Featuring the BMW Live Cockpit Professional (BMW Live Cockpit Plus - i4 eDrive35), it runs on the latest BMW Operating System 8 (BMW OS 8), and supports the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant.

The interior comes with a selection of upholstery schemes. 

Variants i4 eDrive35 and i4 eDrive35 M Sport get Sensatec perforated leather in either Tacora Red, Black, or Cognac with extended contents.

Variant i4 eDrive40 M Sport gets leather Vernasca either in Tacora Red with décor stitching, Mocha with décor stitching, or Black with Blue contrast stitching.

Equipped are M Sport seats (front) with electric adjustments including backrest width and a memory function (driver), and a 40:20:40 split-fold configuration (rear).

Completing the layout is an Anthracite M headliner, and heightening the mood is a six-colour ambient lighting system.

A full-fledged five-seater, it offers generous head, shoulder and legroom, thus front and rear occupants get ample space. 

The spaciousness is more than sufficient for a saloon, and is partly due to its long and borderline wide build.

Mounted is a three-spoke sport steering wheel (i4 eDrive35) and an M steering wheel (i4 eDrive35 M Sport, i4 eDrive40 M Sport).

Features are multi-function buttons (media, phone, vehicle settings), column adjustments (tilt, telescopic), and an Electric Power Steering (EPS) system.

Featuring the Storage Compartment package, it sees numerous storage areas including side door pockets, compartmentalised and caverned spaces in the centre console, armrest pockets and a decent-sized glove box.

There are two cupholders in the rear centre armrest, and four bottle holders in each side door pocket.

Equipped are two USB ports, one 12-V socket, and a wireless charger located at the front part of the centre console, and two more USB ports in the rear.

Accessing its automatic-operated tailgate (contactless), opens up to a load space of 470-Litres, and up to 1,290-Litres with the rear seats down. 

Weighing in at 2,065 KG (i4 eDrive35, i4 eDrive35 M Sport) and 2,125 KG (i4 eDrive40 M Sport), the BMW i4 is 4,783 MM long, 2,073 MM wide, 1,448 MM tall, and has a wheelbase spanning 2,856 MM.

Portraying an athletically sculpted design, the rear-end balances the front with a short overhang and solidly strong proportions.

Featured on its protruding layout is a large black diffuser, and unlike the M-badged i4 M50, the boot-lid spoiler is deleted.

All variants get the Sport package with Frozen Grey highlights. Variants i4 eDrive35 M Sport and i4 eDrive40 M Sport add on the M High-gloss Shadowline package.

Contributing to a fierce and focused looking outlook, installed is a pair of inward-tilted and angularly-contoured headlamp design.

They are full LED units (BMW Laserlight - i4 eDrive40 M Sport) with L-shape LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL), cornering light function and high-beam assistant.

Slim, sharp and wrapped-around, the tail lamps hold a very striking presence, gelling well with all the other sporty elements present.

They are fitted with LED combination units, and matching the front DRLs, they feature an inverted L-shape light graphic.

The side mirrors are electronically powered (adjust, fold), with turn- and blind spot-indicators, and an automatic anti-dazzle function. Also included is the Exterior Mirror package.

Fitted for variant i4 eDrive40 M Sport are M Sport brakes (ventilated discs), with callipers finished in high-gloss blue. Aiding the setup is an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Brake Auto Hold.

Variant i4 eDrive35 rides on a set of 18-Inch double-­spoke style 853 bicolour light-alloy rims, wrapped in 245/45 R18 (front) and 255/45 R18 (rear) tyres.

Variant i4 eDrive35 M Sport rides on a set of 18-Inch M Aerodynamic 858 M bicolour light-alloy rims, wrapped in 245/45 R18 tyres.

Variant i4 eDrive40 M Sport rides on a set of 19-Inch M Aerodynamic 860 M bicolour light-alloy rims, wrapped in 245/40 R19 (front) and 255/40 R19 (rear) tyres.

The BMW i4 features the following set of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

Under Driving Assistant, grouped are Active Cruise Control with Stop/Go, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Return, Lane Change Warning, Front Collision Warning with Brake Intervention, Rear Crossing Traffic Warning, Rear Collision Prevention, and Speed Limit Info.

Whereas, under Parking Assistant, grouped are Park Assist, Active Park Distance Control, Reversing Assistant, Lateral Parking Aid, and Reversing Assist Camera.

Other standard systems. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Blind Spot Monitor (BSM), and Hill-Start Assist (HSA).

Passive safety includes six airbags (driver-passenger, front side, front-rear curtain), seat belts (anchor, pretensioner, reminder), ISOFIX, blind-spot info system, adaptive high-beam, parking sensors (six - front, rear), parking camera (360-degree), automatic anti-dazzle rear-view mirrors (interior/exterior), acoustic protection for pedestrians (exterior loudspeaker), Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), door ajar warning, auto-speed-sensing door locks, security alarm, and immobiliser.

Three drive modes at the driver’s disposal. Sport, Comfort, and Eco Pro. 

Each mode correlates with the BMW Iconic Sounds Electric, featuring driving sounds composed by Hans Zimmer.

Featuring the other half of the BMW Curved Display, the infotainment sees a 14.9-Inch central touchscreen, running BMW Live Cockpit Professional on the latest BMW Operating System 8 (BMW OS 8). 

It supports BMW Connected Package Professional (Apple CarPlay, Android Auto), BMW ConnectedDrive Services (intelligent emergency call, teleservices), intelligent personal assistant (voice recognition, command, gesture), Bluetooth and navigation.

The suite of ADAS will make cruising through the city or speeding through the highway a more relaxing experience. 

Installed for variant i4 eDrive40 M Sport is a setup of 17 speakers, 525-W Harman Kardon surround sound system.

The BMW i4 underpins the fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology, featuring a rear-mounted electric motor with variant-specific tuning.

Variants i4 eDrive35 and i4 eDrive35 M Sport generate 286 HP/210-KW and 400 NM of torque. Whereas, variant i4 eDrive40 M Sport makes 340 HP/250-KW and 430 NM of torque.

Fitted is a single-ratio automatic transmission.

Power is sent to the rear wheels, via a Rear-Wheel Drive (AWD) system.

Acceleration from 0 to 100 KM/H is done in 6.0 seconds (i4 eDrive35, i4 eDrive35 M Sport) and 5.7 seconds (i4 eDrive40 M Sport). Top speed is 190 KM/H (all variants).

Juiced-up by a Lithium-Ion battery (70.3-KWH - i4 eDrive35, i4 eDrive35 M Sport, 83.9-KWH - i4 eDrive40 M Sport), the e-motors provide a driving range (WLTP) of 483 KM (i4 eDrive35, i4 eDrive35 M Sport) and 590 KM (i4 eDrive40 M Sport).

For variants i4 eDrive35 and i4 eDrive35 M Sport, a 0% to 100% state-of-charge (SoC) takes seven hours (11-KW AC charger), while 10% to 80% SoC takes 32 minutes (180-KW DC charger).

Meanwhile, for variant i4 eDrive40 M Sport, a 0% to 100% state-of-charge (SoC) takes eight hours and 15 minutes (11-KW AC charger), while 10% to 80% SoC takes 31 minutes (200-KW DC charger).

Also included, a flexible charger (Mode 2) and a fast-charging cable (Mode 3).

The BMW i4 gets Comfort Access system (keyless entry, powered-tailgate (contactless), engine Start/Stop button), automatic anti-dazzle rear view mirrors (exterior, interior), dual-zone automatic climate control (rear-vents, rear-controls), steering wheels (multi-function, column adjustments, EPS), front M Sport seats (power multi-adjustable, memory function), blind spot monitor, BMW Live Cockpit Professional, wireless charger, parking cameras (360-degree), parking sensors (six - front, rear), LED interior lighting (map, floor, welcome, cargo), automatic headlamps and wipers, and an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB) with Brake Auto Hold system.

Rear air-conditioning vents are present, and come with its own set of controls.

Variants i4 eDrive35 and i4 eDrive35 M Sport incorporate a standard suspension setup (MacPherson strut - front, multi-link - rear). 

Whereas, variant i4 eDrive40 M Sport upgrades to the Adaptive M Suspension Professional, and Variable Sport Steering.

Overall, it is solid and extremely comfortable with a luxurious ride quality, refined and agile handling, and an electrifyingly smooth power delivery.

Good sound insulation, with all the NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) aspects of the build accounted for. 

The cabin is able to suppress wind, road and tyre noises extremely well, making them barely noticeable at all speeds.

The first-ever BMW i4 is an electrifying daily driver, enveloped by a luxuriously sporty appeal that commands a presence like no other.

Harbouring a formidable dynamic powertrain, the fifth-gen BMW eDrive technology, it offers an all-electric driving experience only a BMW is able to.

Its athletically striking exterior is very well designed with the angular proportions and powerful contours, donating to a strong and solid build.

Quality of the materials installed inside and outside, impresses with the upscale, mature design and restrained detailing.

All in all, the first-ever BMW i4 is just a strong character, a great sedan that offers a sophisticatedly edgy outlook, sporty electric performance and practicality all in one.