BMW has introduced the i4 eDrive35, a new entry level, single-motor version of the brand’s all-electric sedan with a smaller battery and a smaller price for the American market. The i4 eDrive35 joins the BMW lineup alongside the i4 eDrive40 and the i4 M50. The latter two models are endowed with an 81.5 kWh (net) battery pack, while the new model gets a modest 66 kWh net battery pack. That means that the i4 eDrive35, when equipped with the standard 18-inch aero wheels, gets an estimated manufacturer range of up to 418 km. As you’d expect, that’s less range than the i4 eDrive40, which can go up to 484 km on a charge and the i4 M50, which can go up to 434 km on a charge. Despite the smaller battery, the new model can still make use of DC fast charging, at a rate of up to 180 kW. That means that owners can expect to go from 10 to 80 percent charge in just 32 minutes.
The new model works on the same Gen5
eDrive powertrain technology as the rest of the i4 model lineup, but receives
just one electric motor. It sends 281 hp and 400 Nm of torque to the rear wheels, allowing it to reach 96 km/h in just 5.8
seconds. Although the i4 eDrive40 also uses just one motor to power the rear
wheels, it makes 335 hp. The i4 M50, meanwhile, combines a 255
hp motor up front with a 308 hp rear motor.
Together, they combine to deliver up to 536 hp of
all-wheel-drive propulsion.
Whereas i4 eDrive35 drivers will have to
give up some range and performance, they don’t need to make any sacrifices in
terms of in-car tech. BMW’s dramatic curved display will unite a 12.3-inch
infotainment screen with a 14.9-inch instrument display in the vehicle.
Standard and optional equipment, will be identical to those in the
i4 eDrive40.
Production of the new i4 eDrive35 will
begin in the fourth quarter of 2022 at BMW’s plant in Munich and the first
examples are set to start arriving in the U.S. first quarter of 2023. Prices
for the new model start at US$ 52,395, whereas the i4 eDrive40 starts at US$ 56,395
and the i4 M50 starts at US$ 66,895 (all prices include US$ 995 destination fee).
