First Look: 2022 BMW i4 eDrive40 and i4 M50

BMW engineers just couldn’t help themselves. And who can blame them?

Not only did they reveal to the world today their much-anticipated all-electric sedans – along with the iX crossover — but they doubled down on that charge into the EV segment with a mighty M version.

The i4 eDrive40 and i4 M50 are 2022 models that are expected to arrive in Canada early next year. No pricing has been released, and BMW Canada plans to open up pre-ordering on the ‘gran coupes’ next month.

Here’s what we found out today about these silky, silent machines.

The i4 eDrive40 is rear-wheel-drive EV with a power output of 335 horsepower and an estimated full-charge range up to 475 kilometres. The all-wheel-drive i4 M50, the first EV to wear the coveted M badge, boasts 536 ponies and an estimated range of 385 km.

The gran coupes’ prodigious power comes from the fifth generation of BMW’s eDrive technology, with the electric motor, power electronics and one-speed transmission all together in one housing. The new generation of lithium-ion batteries feature a maximum DC fast charging capacity of up to 200 kW and AC Level 2 charging of up to 11 kW. The battery packs are located in the floor, resulting in the i4’s centre of gravity being 33 mm (BMW i4 M50) and 53 mm (BMW i4 eDrive40) lower than on a 3 Series sedan.

The high-voltage 83.9-kWh (81.5 kWh net) battery features four modules with 72 cells each and three 12-cell modules.

The i4 comes standard with a Combined Charging Unit (CCU) that allows for a Level 2 zero to 100 per cent charge in less than eight hours, according to BMW. Using a DC fast-charger, the i4 can take on 145 kilometres of range in 10 minutes.

In terms of the chassis design, the i4 comes standard with lift-related shock absorbers, rear air suspension, electromechanical steering with Servotronic function, integrated braking system, DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system and near-actuator wheel slip limitation. The BMW i4 M50 adds adaptive M suspension with individually configured springs and shocks, specially designed anti-roll bars and an additional spring strut tower brace in the front end, along with variable sport steering, M Sport brakes and M light-alloy wheels up to 20 inches in diameter with mixed-size tires.

The M model also comes with a sport boost function, that can be activated on demand by the driver is available whenever Sport mode is engaged and is used to tap the maximum output of both motors for quickest acceleration. The Sport Boost function increases the system’s combined drive power by 67 hp to its maximum of 536 hp for over 10 seconds. At the same time, combined torque is upped by 48 lbs.-ft to 586 lbs.-ft.

There is also a launch control function, standard on both models. Activating it allows the driver to accelerate with optimum traction with the accelerator pressed to the floor. Torque oscillations when stationary indicate that the drive system is ready for ‘launch’, at which point the full combined output is instantly made available.

The i4 eDrive40 comes with standard 18-inch light-alloy wheels while 19-inch wheels are optional. The i4 M50 includes 19-inch M light-alloy wheels with mixed-size tires. Additional 19-inch and 20-inch wheels are optional.

The M also gets specific design features. These include a front bumper with the signature U-shaped design of BMW M models; additional side air intakes to optimize brake cooling; the BMW kidney grille surround and the vertical trim around the air curtains come in Cerium Grey as do the exterior mirror caps and the inlays in the outer edges of the rear bumper, while the air breathers, the side sill trim strips and rear bumper trim are painted in high-gloss black. An optional M-specific spoiler on the tailgate rounds off the distinctive, performance-oriented appearance.

As much as the i4’s exterior exudes BMW style and grace, the interior is possibly the best design feature of the entire vehicle. As with all BMWs, it’s a driver-focused cockpit with a very slim and low instrument panel. The real centrepiece is the all-new curved display, a frameless, single-piece glass surface angled towards the driver. The 12.3-inch information display and 14.9-inch control display merge into a single driver- focused unit.

BMW went to great lengths during today’s reveal to note the sustainable aspect of not just the vehicles themselves, but the process in making them. These include commitments from all battery cell suppliers to only use electricity from renewable sources; the aluminum electric motor cases are manufactured from purely green energy; and only locally-generated hydroelectric power is used for the i4’s Munich production facility.

And then there are the raw materials used in the vehicle, always a talking point in EV production. According to BMW, the high-voltage batteries contain less than 10 per cent cobalt content. and the BMW Group procures the required cobalt for its battery cell production itself and then makes it available to the battery cell suppliers. The lithium is also sourced under transparent conditions that are monitored by the BMW Group, coming from hard-rock deposits in Australia.

The electric motors are made without the use of rare earth materials, and the proportion of secondary aluminum used in the i4 helps to make manufacturing more sustainable.