BMW teases its upcoming four-door BEV coupe, i4

KUALA LUMPUR: BMW has showcased its winter testing pictures of its upcoming Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV), named i4. The company is prepping up to launch this vehicle along with two other EVs. BMW i4 is a four-door coupe and might be the forthcoming all-new 4 Series Gran Coupe. However, there is a conflict on whether the vehicle would be the next 4 Series Gran Coupe or not.

As per the pictures, along with i4, the company is also testing iX3 and iNext at its winter test centre in Arjeplog, Sweden. All three cars were subjected to an intense test programme that puts the drive and suspension components under extreme road and weather conditions. The harsh freezing weather also examines the reliability and durability of the BMW eDrive technology, high voltage batteries, and the working of the suspension system.

Speaking about the eDrive technology, the upcoming BMW i4 features BMW’s fifth-generation eDrive technology which will offer it an electric range of 600 km. It can sprint from 0 to 100 kmph within 4 seconds before attaining the top speed of 200 kmph. The i4 is said to be manufactured at the BMW Munich plant in 2021.

Besides these, BMW iX3 will go on sale from next year and will be produced in Shenyang, China by the BMW Brilliance Automotive Joint Venture. The iX3 will also come with the fifth-gen BMW eDrive technology that will help it to deliver a range of 400 km. Worth mentioning is that the car can be charged entirely within half an hour when plugged in with the 150 kW DC fast charger.

Next is the iNext, which will be BMW Group's new technology flagship and will deliver a range of more than 600 km. Furnished with new connectivity features, the car is made for Level 3 automated driving. This vehicle will go into production from 2021 at BMW’s own Dingolfing plant.