BMW’s answer to the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2 is
called i4. The Bavarian carmaker didn’t exactly go back to the drawing board when it comes
to its design. Yes, the i4 is expected to feature a fully enclosed grille like the
one used on the iX3 and iNext concepts, but other than that, the design of the
body appears identical to that of the upcoming 4-Series Gran Coupe, and will
include pull-up door handles.
Judging by these new images, the i4’s light units
should also be identical to those of the 4-Series Gran Coupe in terms of both
graphics as well as all-round design – this being the very first time we’ve
gotten to feast our eyes on them. Like the 4-Series GC, the i4 will also ride on BMW’s
CLAR modular architecture, although rumor has it that it might feature a
slightly increased ride height – something that isn’t immediately evident if
these latest pics are anything to go by.
Inside, the i4 will boast a 3-Series-like dashboard
with a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 10.25-inch infotainment display,
positioned on top of those sleek air vents. It’s certainly not the unique cabin
some fans wanted, but that was to be expected.
As for performance, the automaker claims that the
i4’s eDrive powertrain will generate a driving range of more than 600 km. Furthermore, it will allow it to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 4 seconds flat, before maxing out north of 200 km/h. While future buyers will likely
have to wait until 2021 at the very earliest in order to get their hands on an
i4, the vehicle’s official debut should come sooner.
