4 Series (G22) [Official] BMW i4 (G26)

[Deleted member 57437]

i4 and i7 are based on the same scalable multi purpose architecture.

Wouldn't scalability present opportunities for "optimization" in technology and packaging ? I imagine that the development of the i7 was initiated later than that of the i4...or? Could we have a transition of sorts that could be remotely likened to VAGs' MLB-->MLBevo ? Just asking. CLAREvo or whatever (no, not implying "Neue Klasse)?

 

[Matski]

Wouldn't scalability present opportunities for "optimization" in technology and packaging ? I imagine that the development of the i7 was initiated later than that of the i4...or? Could we have a transition of sorts that could be remotely likened to VAGs' MLB-->MLBevo ? Just asking. CLAREvo or whatever (no, not implying "Neue Klasse)?

To a degree the modularity allows them to upgrade certain elements, though I'm not sure what that would be in the context of the i7.

This is part of an interview with Frolich in January 2020 from ANE

Except for the full-electric i3, BMW only uses flexible architectures that can accommodate internal combustion, plug-in hybrid and battery-electric powertrains. Was this the right call?
A flexible architecture is the best solution for the next five to 10 years, but clearly if the world turns fully electric, we will develop dedicated architectures.

How flexible are your architectures?
Ten years ago when we developed the CLAR architecture that debuted in 2015 with the 7 series, we would have needed to add 800 kg to 900 kg of batteries to offer a BEV variant. This would have killed the architecture, not to mention the sheer driving pleasure we aim to offer with every car we make. We had expected that over a decade battery density could increase by 2.5 times. By 2020, we will be close to 2.7 times. Therefore, in 2021 we will update the CLAR architecture with a new central floor that can house higher density batteries. This will permit our plug-in hybrids to travel 80, 100 to 120 km in full-electric mode as well as allowing us to install a larger fuel tank than we have in our current plug-in hybrids. Using the updated CLAR also will let us offer BEVs [battery-electric vehicles] on the architecture because our forthcoming i4 is basically a battery-powered 3 series.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

Wouldn't scalability present opportunities for "optimization" in technology and packaging ? I imagine that the development of the i7 was initiated later than that of the i4...or? Could we have a transition of sorts that could be remotely likened to VAGs' MLB-->MLBevo ? Just asking. CLAREvo or whatever (no, not implying "Neue Klasse)?

Wishful thinking

 

[Serpens]

Wouldn't scalability present opportunities for "optimization" in technology and packaging ? I imagine that the development of the i7 was initiated later than that of the i4...or? Could we have a transition of sorts that could be remotely likened to VAGs' MLB-->MLBevo ? Just asking. CLAREvo or whatever (no, not implying "Neue Klasse)?

Wishful thinking

Yeah, I don't think you're going to see any evolution until Neue Klasse gets here.

 

[hovabongZA]

Really enjoyed this comparison test especially coming from an EV dedicated channel….must say the i4 looks really good in that green. Well done BMW.

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[Deleted member 57437]

An interesting review. Favourable and a bit of an eye-opener.:

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I find his comparison with the Polestar 2 interesting. And I agree: It is really a matter of personal taste.

 

[agem]

BMW i4 eDrive40 and Tesla Model 3 LR comparation (French):

Essai BMW i4 vs Tesla Model 3. Le grand match des berlines électriques

Sans concurrente directe jusqu'à présent, la Tesla Model 3 Grande Autonomie voit se dresser une rivale de choix avec la nouvelle BMW i4 eDrive40. Qui va remporter ce choc des berlines électriques entre BMW et Tesla ?

www.largus.fr

Consumption (Translated):

To get to the bottom of the performance, we traveled our journey dedicated to the autonomy of electric vehicles with both cars at the same time, which were paved with 19-inch wheels. The Model 3 confirmed its excellence in terms of consumption with 14.4 kWh/100 km calculated on the road and 23.1 kWh on the motorway, which induce real ranges of 513 and 321 km. But the BMW sticks to the train: 15.7 kWh on the road and 24.4 kWh on the highway for identical ranges (513 km on the road and 330 km on the highway) thanks to its slightly larger battery.

route:

Motorway driving at 130km/h gives a range of 330km. Consumption: 24.4 kWh.
Secondary road driving 50-110 km/h gives 513km. Consumption: 15.7 kWh

• Impressive soundproofing at 130 km/h
• Good suspension which gives a smooth ride.

The i4 was equipped with M Sport Package which has a higher drag coefficient than the base trim (0.25 vs 0.24)

 

[hovabongZA]

BMW i4 eDrive40 and Tesla Model 3 LR comparation (French):

Essai BMW i4 vs Tesla Model 3. Le grand match des berlines électriques

Sans concurrente directe jusqu'à présent, la Tesla Model 3 Grande Autonomie voit se dresser une rivale de choix avec la nouvelle BMW i4 eDrive40. Qui va remporter ce choc des berlines électriques entre BMW et Tesla ?

www.largus.fr

Consumption (Translated):


route:

Motorway driving at 130km/h gives a range of 330km. Consumption: 24.4 kWh.
Secondary road driving 50-110 km/h gives 513km. Consumption: 15.7 kWh

• Impressive soundproofing at 130 km/h
• Good suspension which gives a smooth ride.

The i4 was equipped with M Sport Package which has a higher drag coefficient than the base trim (0.25 vs 0.24)

So the i4 matched the km of the Model 3 or am I reading that wrong?

 

[Serpens]

Several reviews seem to have noted the i4's excellent ride quality. That alone would sway me towards the BMW versus the Model 3, which clearly is focused elsewhere when it comes to ride quality and noise suppression.

 

[Swiss_ZH]

I'll drive a M50 this month. Hope i'll get it for a day. Will compare it with my Model 3 LR.

 

[dalab]

So the i4 matched the km of the Model 3 or am I reading that wrong?

It seems
In both (iX too) the objectives and the ride excellence are there

 

[hovabongZA]

It seems
In both (iX too) the objectives and the ride excellence are there

The IX and i4 seem to be receiving really good reception. Can you imagine how good dedicated platform EVs from BMW will be if a car like “compromised” i4 is doing so well ? The future looks good.

 

[Sunny]

So the i4 matched the km of the Model 3 or am I reading that wrong?

No you are not. But the part left out is the cars being compared, the Tesla is AWD (vs RWD BMW) and far more powerful (440HP vs 340HP) and far quicker (4.2s vs 5.7s).

Model 3 also took 35 mins to charge vs 55mins for i4 for the same trip.

 

[Sunny]

Quote from the article -

For the i4, however, the problem is above all to come up against the cannon performance of the Model 3 Grande Autonomie, which produces a combined power of around 450 hp from its two engines.

The American is more powerful in the reminders, and her time on the exercise of 0 to 100 km / h confirms the sensations at the wheel: 4.4 s against 5.7 s for the German. Even in behavior the Tesla shows a better disposition, with its more incisive front axle and its agility a notch above that of the i4, which is however not ridiculous.

Maybe something is lost in the translation, but it seems "not ridiculous" is the standard that BMW has reduced itself to here.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

The IX and i4 seem to be receiving really good reception. Can you imagine how good dedicated platform EVs from BMW will be if a car like “compromised” i4 is doing so well ? The future looks good.

In fact the i3 was and still is enormously capable. They just had to improve on it. A midclass sedan with an aluminium chasiss and a CFRP body with newer battery (lighter and bigger capacity) would do wonders.

 

[dalab]

but it seems "not ridiculous" is the standard that BMW has reduced itself to here.

It does not seem that you are reading or seeing everything positive expressed here, but rather looking for how to take 3 words out of context in a sea of texts and videos that reflect that it is widely satisfactory, with the caveats in some aspects, which are also evident.

 

[SCOTT27]

What they told us about the i4 is that it’s the transitionary BMW. It’s the introductory car to showcase traditional BMW customers of the attributes that they like with BMW but can and will be offered as an Electric vehicle.

The i3 and i8 were the mobile test labs for BMWi and they had additional concepts in that design medium which have been shown as patents and there were ideas as a precursor to the iX.

Because i4 is based on the 4er Gran Coupe and an existing architecture it’s cost effective to produce but also a showcase to further potential that BMW’s well known characteristics can be applied to an Electric vehicle.

All brands have many customers that are wary about the EV transition. In regards to developing and producing ICE engines past when everybody has transitioned to EV. If you are still offering ICE in a substantial and desirable product? They are still going to sell to customers that are not fully convinced about going electric.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

Because i4 is based on the 4er Gran Coupe and an existing architecture it’s cost effective to produce

Which customer should care about this? This bothers only the shareholders. Stressing this in front of the customers means 'we f*cked you in order to have bigger profit'.

 

[dalab]

Which customer should care about this? This bothers only the shareholders. Stressing this in front of the customers means 'we f*cked you in order to have bigger profit'.

Yes, but there is also the fact that it is still an independent company, which can put its solidity at risk due to a poor decision, there are many examples of Chinese takeovers and others due to poor management

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

Yes, but there is also the fact that it is still an independent company, which can put its solidity at risk due to a poor decision, there are many examples of Chinese takeovers and others due to poor management

I don't say it's not needed. It just should not be comunicated as an advantage, because it is a compromise.