BMW i4

Model Overview

The BMW i4 is an all-electric mid-size four-door gran coupé from the German BMW Group. Officially launched in 2021, it serves as a cornerstone of the BMW brand's electrification strategy. As the fully electric counterpart to the BMW 4 Series, the i4 is underpinned by BMW's CLAR platform, sharing its architecture with the ICE 4 Series to enable flexible multi-powertrain production on the same assembly line. With its long bonnet and short front overhang, the BMW i4 delivers sleek, well-balanced proportions, positioned as a luxury all-electric coupé that blends sporty DNA with everyday practicality. Currently, the i4 stands as BMW's best-selling all-electric model.

In the Chinese mainland market, the updated BMW i4 went on sale during the November 2024 Guangzhou Auto Show, offering two variants—the eDrive35 and eDrive40—with official retail prices of RM429,900 and RM469,900 respectively. In Taiwan, the 2026 model year i4 is offered in eDrive40 and M60 xDrive guises, priced at RM2,790,000 and RM3,330,000 respectively.

Design Language

Aesthetically, the BMW i4 retains the signature coupé silhouette of the BMW 4 Series while infusing distinct styling cues of the EV era. Up front, it features BMW's iconic oversized kidney grille in a blanked-off design adorned with dot-matrix patterning for unmistakable road presence. The sculpted bonnet features prominent power strakes, adding a muscular stance. The smoked headlamp clusters incorporate projector lenses and twin angular daytime running lights (DRLs) for a sharp, aggressive gaze. The front bumper sports a three-tier intake design flanked by large air curtains with aero-blade inserts, delivering a purposeful, aggressive look.

The side profile represents the i4's most striking angle—a swooping fastback roofline paired with frameless doors creates a strong athletic presence. Flush-fitting, recessed door handles are employed to effectively reduce aerodynamic drag. Dimensionally, it measures 4,785 mm in length, 1,852 mm in width, and 1,455 mm in height, with a 2,856 mm wheelbase. At the rear, it features a practical liftback tailgate and smoked tail lamp assemblies, with higher-spec variants offering optional laser tail lamps identical to those on the M4 CSL. The overall drag coefficient is rated as low as 0.23 Cd to 0.24 Cd.

Inside, the i4 features BMW's signature digital cockpit layout. The centrepiece is the BMW Curved Display, seamlessly integrating a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 14.9-inch infotainment touchscreen. The centre console houses a three-spoke flat-bottom multi-function steering wheel and a minimalist toggle gear selector. The cabin extensively incorporates CraftedClarity crystal glass accents and 11-colour ambient lighting, creating an atmosphere that balances high-tech flair with premium luxury.

Powertrain & Performance

The BMW i4 range is powered by BMW's fifth-generation eDrive electric propulsion technology, available in both rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. The updated i4 lineup introduced at the 2024 Guangzhou Auto Show includes the following variants:

• i4 eDrive35: Rear-mounted single motor (RWD), delivering 210 kW (286 PS) and 400 Nm of torque, completing the 0-100 km/h sprint in 6.0 seconds. Fitted with a 70 kWh battery pack, it offers a CLTC-rated range of 526 km.

• i4 eDrive40: Rear-mounted single motor (RWD), putting out 250 kW (340 PS) and 430 Nm of torque, accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.6 seconds. Equipped with an 83.9 kWh battery pack, delivering a CLTC-rated range of 633 km.

• i4 M50 (early flagship performance model): Dual-motor all-wheel drive (AWD), delivering a combined output of 400 kW (544 PS) and 795 Nm of torque, doing the 0-100 km/h run in just 3.9 seconds.

For 2026 model year units produced from July 2025 onwards, the entire i4 range upgrades to silicon carbide (SiC) inverters for improved energy efficiency. As a result, the eDrive40's WLTP range increases to 613 km; the range-topping performance variant is renamed i4 M60 xDrive, with maximum output dialed up to 601 PS, dropping its 0-100 km/h acceleration time to 3.7 seconds, while WLTP range rises to 551 km.

In terms of DC fast charging, the i4 can add between 154 km and 197 km of range in just 10 minutes, while a 10% to 80% state of charge (SoC) takes approximately 30 minutes.

Chassis & Handling

Underneath, the BMW i4 rides on a double-joint spring-strut front axle and a multi-link independent rear suspension. The floor-mounted battery pack gives the car an exceptionally low centre of gravity, providing handling stability superior to conventional ICE vehicles. The front and rear subframes are bolted directly to the battery enclosure, boosting overall structural and suspension rigidity. Compared to the 3 Series, the i4 boasts a wider track and a lower centre of gravity, delivering greater poise when cornering.

The i4 comes standard with near-actuator wheel slip limitation (ARB) to curb single-wheel slip and torque loss, while launch control ensures maximum traction off the line for high-torque RWD setups on wet or slippery roads. Higher variants can be optioned with Adaptive M Suspension. As for drivetrains, the eDrive35 and eDrive40 are rear-wheel drive, while the M60 xDrive features dual-motor all-wheel drive.

Cabin & Equipment

The i4 runs on BMW iDrive 8.5, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8155 chipset. The system supports 5G connectivity, four-zone intelligent voice control, continuous dialogue, full-car OTA updates, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Baidu CarLife connectivity. Higher-spec variants further gain AR augmented reality navigation and BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant 2.0.

On the comfort and convenience front, standard features across the range include tri-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable front seats, an electric sunroof, keyless entry, and push-start ignition. High-spec models add Vernasca leather upholstery, front seat heating, and a Harman Kardon premium audio system. Boot capacity stands at 470 litres in standard configuration, expandable to 1,290 litres with the 40:20:40 split-folding rear backrests folded down.

Safety & Driver Assistance

For safety, the BMW i4 comes standard with comprehensive passive safety kit, including front airbags, front side airbags, and full-length curtain airbags. Active safety kit includes tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), dynamic stability control (DSC), blind spot monitoring, and lane departure warning.

On the advanced driver assistance front, the i4 is equipped with the BMW Personal CoPilot suite, offering Level 2 semi-autonomous driving capabilities. Key functions include full-speed Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), Lane Centring Assist, Automatic Lane Change Assist, Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), Speed Limit Info, Parking Assistant, and a 360-degree surround-view camera. Higher grades also benefit from Reversing Assistant and a Head-Up Display (HUD).

Market Performance & Verdict

The BMW i4 remains the brand's best-selling all-electric offering globally. In the Chinese market, following the launch of the refreshed i4 at the 2024 Guangzhou Auto Show, dealers offered aggressive discounts—the eDrive35 saw limited-time promotional pricing drop to as low as RM330,000, while terminal discounts on the eDrive40 reached up to RM175,200. Key market rivals identified by industry observers include the Tesla Model 3 Performance, Mercedes-Benz EQE, and Audi A5 e-tron.

In terms of customer reception, owners widely commend the i4's exterior styling, pin-sharp handling, and real-world range, though some note that rear headroom is slightly compromised by the sleek fastback profile. Industry reviews highlight how the flexibility of the CLAR architecture allows the i4 to share assembly lines seamlessly with conventional ICE models, preserving BMW's hallmark driving dynamics while transitioning to electrification—solidifying its position as a benchmark contender in the executive all-electric sedan segment.