Well, This is Awkward… BMW's Electric i4 Now Outmuscles the M4 CS…
Image Credit: BMW Group.
Here we go again… Just when you thought your current electric chariot was the bee's knees, along comes an update promising more poke, more miles, and probably more reasons for your bank manager to have a stern word. This time, it's BMW's handsome i4 getting a tickle, and it's the kind of tickle that most likely will rearrange your internal organs, if you're not careful.
Honestly, keeping up with the electric vehicle world these days is like trying to nail jelly to a wall – just when you think you've got it, it wobbles off in a new direction. BMW is particularly keen on this game of constant improvement. Its best-selling electric darling, the i4, which was already a pretty decent bit of kit, is getting another spruce-up. I guess BMW realized that standing still is only good for statues and people waiting for the kettle to boil.
Image Credit: BMW Group.
The headline news? There's a new sheriff in town, and it's called the i4 M60 xDrive. Rolls right off the tongue, doesn't it? It's replacing the old M50 - and that one wasn't exactly a shrinking violet. This new M60, however, seems to have been mainlining Red Bull and raw ambition. It somehow found a way to squeeze out a colossal 593 horsepower from its dual electric motors. For those of you still thinking in old money, that's a stampede, a cavalry charge of electrified ponies.
Here's the bit that'll make the petrolheads choke on their cornflakes: this electric family saloon-slash-coupe now boasts 50 more horsepower than the M4 CS. The M4 CS – the one that's supposed to be the hairy-chested, track-day monster of the 4 Series lineup. Imagine the awkward silence at the next BMW family barbecue. "So, Hans," says the i4 M60, casually sipping its electron juice, "heard you're still messing about with that noisy, smelly stuff?"
Image Credit: BMW Group.
This electric powerhouse will apparently catapult you from a standstill to 62 miles per hour in 3.7 seconds. That's quick enough to spill your takeaway latte and make your toupee try to escape. Of course, flooring it like a teenager who's just "borrowed" dad's car will likely do unmentionable things to the range. BMW claims 269 miles on the WLTP cycle for this M60, but we all know WLTP figures are often cooked up in a lab by optimistic chaps in white coats, probably on a diet of pure hope. The real-world EPA number here in the good ol' US of A is still pending, so let's not count our electric chickens before they've crossed the highway.
Surprisingly, it's not all about scaring Porsche Taycan owners at the traffic lights. BMW has also sprinkled some magic dust on the more sensible end of the i4 lineup. The entry-level eDrive35 and the mid-range eDrive40 are beneficiaries of new silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor components. I won't pretend to fully understand the dark arts of semiconductor physics – it's probably witchcraft involving tiny lightning bolts and the patience of a saint. What I do know is that these SiC bits are more efficient, reducing energy consumption by about 4.5%. The best way to explain it is to look at swapping your old, leaky garden hose for a brand-new, super-efficient one. Less sloshing about, more go-go juice.
Image Credit: BMW Group.
This witchcraft translates into a bit more range, which is always welcome in the electric world. The i4 eDrive35 now promises up to 266 miles (WLTP, remember!), while the eDrive40 stretches its legs to a rather impressive 317 miles. That's an increase of about 13 to 14 miles for both. Is it revolutionary? No, it is not. But it's like getting an extra biscuit in the packet – a small win, but a win nonetheless. Enough to get you to that slightly further away charging station or maybe to your mother-in-law's place without needing to beg for a plug socket. Every cloud has a silver lining.
And speaking of confidence in your electric steed, BMW has also decided to be a bit more generous with its battery warranty. The coverage now is extended worldwide to eight years or 100,000 miles, up from the previous 80,000 miles. If your battery's capacity dips below 70% in that time, BMW will step in. This is good news. It shows the Germans are standing by their battery tech, which is reassuring. Nobody wants to be footing the bill for a new one - that's a "sell a kidney" kind of expense.
Image Credit: BMW Group.
Production of the refreshed i4 will kick off in July, with deliveries following hot on its heels. As for the price? BMW decided to keep that little nugget of information to itself. So, you'll have to consult your local friendly BMW dealer for the damage. Prepare your wallet for a bit of a workout, though. These things are rarely given away in cereal boxes.
It's no surprise BMW is keeping the i4 fresh; it's been a bit of a star in the States. In the first quarter of this year alone, 7,125 of them found a new home. That's a 57% jump compared to the same time last year. Clearly, Americans are warming up to the idea of a silent, swift, and stylish electric Bimmer. And the latest updates, especially the headline-grabbing M60, are certainly not going to hurt that momentum.
The BMW i4 continues its evolution. More power for the power-hungry, a smidge more range for the range-anxious, and a better warranty for everyone. It's all very sensible, very German, and yet, with that M60, just a little bit bonkers. And a little bit of bonkers is exactly what we need.
