BMW i4 drifting closer to production

January 23, 2021February 2, 2021 John Carey 1258 Views BMW i4, drifting, electric car, ev

Drifting fans will just love the BMW i4, judging from a fresh set of images and video of the car. They show the EV frequently sliding sideways, wisps of smoke coming from its squealing rear tyres.

The i4 is currently undergoing final phase driving dynamics testing, ahead of going into production in the third quarter of this year. It will be built on the same Munich assembly lines as its close relative, the yet-to-be-seen 4 Series Gran Coupe.

At the wheel of the camouflaged i4 is project manager David Ferrufino. He clearly enjoys showing off the car’s ability to oversteer as he spanks it around BMW’s Aschheim proving ground on a grey and wintery day. At one stage he even half spins the car.

BMW’s obvious aim in releasing the material, the latest in a long series of i4 teasers, is to convince prospective buyers that choosing electric doesn’t mean less fun behind the wheel.

BMW i4 is now in final phase of pre-production handling tests

The i4 will be equipped with BMW’s latest eDrive technology, which is also going into its iX3 and iX SUVs. Key innovations include installing electric motors along with their power electronics in a single compact casing, and improved battery pack cell technology.

BMW has previously released some of the i4’s main tech specs. Maximum output of its electric motor is 390kW, putting it on the same power level as one of the company’s current V8 engines. It will be quick; 0-100km in just four seconds is the promise.

The i4 battery pack will weigh around 550kg and store around 80kW of energy. This will give the EV a driving range of up to 600km, according to the WLTP test standard. The battery pack will be capable of DC fast charging at 150kW.

BMW i4 shares its silhouette with the forthcoming 4 Series Gran Coupe

But it’s not entirely clear that all of these abilities will be combined in a single i4 model. Executives have confirmed its high-performance M division is developing a dual-motor version of the EV. Logically, it should be the quickest. The M version’s driving range, on the other hand, may be less than the single-motor version.

It’s widely rumoured that BMW also plans a more affordable version of the i4 for early 2022. If the rumours are right, it will have a less powerful motor and smaller battery pack.

Expect to see the i4 arrive in Australia sometime next year.

John Carey

Grew up in country NSW, way back when petrol was laced with lead. Has written about cars and the car business for more than 35 years, working full-time and freelance for leading mags, major newspapers and websites in Australia and (sometimes) overseas. Avidly interested in core EV technologies like motors and batteries, and believes the switch to electromobility definitely should be encouraged. Is waiting patiently for someone to make a good and affordable EV that will fit inside his tiny underground garage in northern Italy, where he's lived for the past decade. Likes the BMW i3, but it's just too damned wide...