The i4 might only be two years old but BMW’s rapidly all-electric expansion has seen the iX1, iX3, iX and i7 all arrive in that time, making the i4 already one of the firm’s older EV models. Now there’s a new entry point to i4 ownership – the eDrive35.
Sitting below the eDrive40 and M50 versions of the i4, the new iteration starts from £49,995 – undercutting the eDrive40 by £7,895. There’s not much to tell the cheaper model apart from other i4s. The Sport model gets 18-inch alloy wheels, LED lights front and rear, a Sport bodykit and blue exterior accents.
Inside you’ll find heated front seats, a curved screen made from a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel and a 14.9-inch touchscreen, plus BMW’s latest iDrive 8 infotainment system. Step up to the £51,495 M Sport and there are sportier front and rear bumpers – the same as on other i4s, plus new wheels, an M Sport leather steering wheel and different interior stitching.
The more crucial changes come in the battery department. Instead of the eDrive40 and M50’s 81.5kWh unit, there’s a 70.2kWh battery in the eDrive35. It sends power to a single electric motor mounted on the rear axle – just like the eDrive40.
BMW claims the eDrive35 can reach 299 miles on a single charge, although if you spec the M Sport model this drops to 288 miles. It might be down on the eDrive40’s 355bhp, but 282bhp on tap means the 0-62mph for both trim levels stands at a decent 6 seconds. Recharging takes 32 minutes to go from 10-80 per cent – maxing out at a 180kW charge rate.
The new i4 eDrive is available to order now and BMW says customers should see first deliveries by the summer.
Tell us about your car in the Driver Power survey…
