MOTORING REVIEW: BMW’s i4 eDrive40 proves its worth in Limerick

AT A GLANCE

Model: BMW i4

Type: electric eDrive40 RWD

Combined consumption: 20 - 16 kWh/100km WLTP rated

Road Tax: €120

0-100km/h: 5.7 secs

Max Torque: 430Nm

Range: claimed up to 590kms

Price: OTR price is from €63,565.

THE BMW i4 was billed as the first all-electric premium car from the BMW Group when it arrived here in time for the January 2022 car sales. It looks familiar as it is based on the latest 4 Series Gran Coupe, the only difference is that its internal combustion engine siblings are set very slightly lower, most likely due to the location of the battery.

BMW have sold 2,598 cars so far this year, of which the i4 were 334 — compared to 165 units of the EV for the whole of 2022. This is a statement car with a sleek but muscular profile with optimised aerodynamics resulting in a Cd factor of only 0.24. In looks, it is most definitely an “I want it” car with its stretched proportions, blanked-off kidney grille as there is no need for air cooling in an electric car, large liftback boot opening, short overhangs, slim pillars that aid visibility, sporty frameless windows and a roofline that flows smoothly to the rear. It competes in the premium mid-size segment against the likes of Polestar and Tesla 3.

The car features the latest generation of the brand’s electric driver system, plus many high tech features in the areas of automated driving and parking assistance.

The interior is both stylish and functional with clear design language and a driver-focused cockpit design. Sports seats that hug you in firmly, and a sports steering wheel, are standard. Rich cream leather upholstery in my car complemented the nice grey exterior.

BMW’s curved display merges together the 14.9-inch driver display behind the steering wheel and the 12.3-inch infotainment display into a single-piece glass surface angled towards the driver, using anti-reflection glass. You swipe the central console screen for numerous other screens. Smaller ones are for traffic conditions, route preview, and the current weather forecast. The navigation can be set to take in the whole screen. To access seat heating controls necessitates going through the central console screen — many EV motorists may not be aware that in wintry conditions, heating the seats uses less of your car’s range, so a proper button control on the dash would be preferable to the distraction of scrabbling through a menu.

Below this screen are dual zone climate control settings and a volume knob for the radio. A rotary knob deals with media, map, phone, navigation and the home button. There's a mobile phone wireless charger and small type USBs and 12v socket.

There’s not much room in the glovebox but you’ll find a good area below the front armrest with another small USB and fine door bins.

Maximum power on the eDrive40 is 340hp, with rear-wheel drive. Peak torque comes in at a big 430Nm helping power the car from 0-100km/h in 5.7 secs and a top speed of 190km/h. The more powerful i4 M50 gets 544hp, clocks a time of 3.9 secs from 0-100km/h, and has a claimed range of 510kms but is a lot pricier.

The company claims a range of 590kms (WLTP) and power consumption of 20-16kWh/100kms, but that range could be somewhat less in real terms with varying driving conditions.

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The i4 eDrive40 in both specifications includes 18-inch alloy wheels plus reversing camera, rear traffic alert, Parking Assistant, front and rear parking sensors, auto air conditioning, ambient lighting, Auto Hold, LED lights front and back and a low-speed noise introduced to warn pedestrians or cyclists when the car is approaching. But only a basic blind spot alert on side mirrors.

Around 40 assistance functions are offered either as standard or optionally that enhance safety and comfort. Drive modes are Sport, Comfort, and Eco Pro.

I found the car a blast to drive with such big power on tap, but also so very comfortable even with the firm sports seats. It offers more inside space that you’d imagine for a coupe-type car. The i4's superb driving qualities are partly down to its balanced weight distribution and low centre of gravity with the traction battery low down in the floor. Standard spec for all model variants includes rear air suspension. The automatic self-levelling feature keeps the car at a constant ride-height even when carrying a heavy load.

The battery will take 8.5 hours to charge from empty to 100pc with a typical home charge setup but you can charge at a DC high power station at up to 200kW, and add range of 165kms in just ten minutes.

The OTR price is from €63,565.