We recently had the opportunity to experience the BMW i4 eDrive40 M Sport as a courtesy car while our regular BMW was in for service. From the moment I set eyes on it, I could tell that BMW had not strayed far from its roots; the car had all the hallmarks of the brand’s heritage, combined with the advancements of electric vehicle technology. It’s positioned as a premium electric vehicle, offering a perfect mix of luxury, performance and environmental consciousness.
On the outside, the i4 eDrive40 M Sport closely resembles the 4 Series Gran Coupé. It was only upon closer inspection that I noticed the distinct electric features, like the sealed-off grille and the absence of exhaust pipes, which subtly but surely set it apart.
Inside, the experience was pure BMW. The cabin was a high-quality environment with BMW’s Curved Display, marrying the digital instrument display with the central touchscreen infotainment system. While I did find the integration of climate controls and seat warming into the touchscreen a tad cumbersome, it was a small hiccup in an otherwise seamless interface.
The space was ample for both front and rear passengers, although I noted that the rear headroom could pose a challenge for taller individuals.
Driving the i4 was an eye-opener. The performance was nothing short of incredible; the electric motor delivered power instantaneously, and the acceleration was breathtaking. Moving through traffic, the drive was quiet and smooth, encapsulating the perfect BMW driving experience that enthusiasts like myself have come to adore. It was in these moments, gliding effortlessly along the road with the world moving past in hushed tones, that I truly understood the allure of an electric vehicle.
The i4 eDrive40 M Sport boasts a 250kW electric motor paired with an 83.9kWh lithium-ion battery pack, capable of 335bhp and 316 lb-ft of torque. It features rear-wheel drive and can achieve 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds with a top speed of 155mph. Impressively, its range is between 337-351 miles with zero emissions.
The i4’s safety features were comprehensive, and I appreciated the addition of the Driving Assistant Professional system. It offered a reassuring layer of protection, ensuring that the car maintained a safe following distance and stayed centred in its lane on the motorway.
The experience with the i4 eDrive40 M Sport has solidified my interest in making an EV my next car. The blend of a luxurious interior, exhilarating performance and the serenity of electric drive has convinced me that the future of driving—and indeed, my driving future—lies with electric vehicles. If this is what BMW can offer in an EV, then I am more than ready to embrace this electric revolution.
Meh…it’s good rather than great, waaay over priced at £65,000 and has less range than a Tesla3….just depends on just how important that badge is, I suppose.
@Abernyte I’m not much of a car guy. I agree that the price tag is steep, and we’d more interested in an SUV anyway, but it was a great drive and my sole point of comparison is a Tesla which our neighbour had – I preferred the BMW.
@Abernyte Having recent purchased an I3 and taking an interest in optimal battery charging for longevity, I learnt that BMW build in a minimum charge level to protect the battery whereas Tesla dont and leave the choice to the customer. Therfore comparing ranges needs a caveat.
“environmental consciousness"? I am seriously questioning the environmental consciousness of the whole industry surrounding the source materials of EV’s.
@Morgan I hear your concerns. The problem with humanity is that we have no boundaries and we have destroyed this planet. We’ll keep plundering till there’s nothing left to plunder. Too many people, too many resources required, and economies need to be kept buoyant because it’s all about money, money, money.
Drilling for oil, oil spills, CO2 emissions are equally problematic. Sadly, there’s no going back and no reset button.
@Mars I guess we might as well all give up then and surrender the planet to its fate.
@Morgan are you suggesting battery production is worse for the planet than fossil fuels (production and use)?
@Mars No. But that doesn’t make it good, does it? Are you suggesting, given its environmental impact, that battery/EV is the panacea or even a solution?
@Morgan I don’t think either is amazing for the longevity of the planet. People are not going to stop driving, flying or relinquish life’s luxuries. There are no clean modern alternatives to travel on the table, so I don’t know what the way forward is.
Nor me but I think we’re rushing headlong into trouble and I do not believe that the way forward is EV’s.
@Morgan I don’t disagree. Battery recycling (or the lack of it) is also going to be a massive issue down the line. I also wish plastic consumption would get obliterated because that is a massive issue we can deal with today.
@Mars @Morgan
I think an interesting development will be the possibility of using old (or existing) EV battery packs as home batteries. This would make the environmental impact less and aid the grid to become carbon neutral.
Having just switched to an EV, I can say I would not go back to a combustion engine. The driving experience is much better and as a bonus it opens up cheap electrcity tariffs.
If car use is to continue EVs are the best option in my view and battery technology is just getting better with much longer ranges just around the corner.
@bontwoody I’m sure so long as your driving experience is enhanced those living in regions affected by the extraction of the required raw materials will understand and be pleased you have cheaper electricity. You make no reference to those people in the video but celebrate our first world luxury.
@Morgan The extraction of raw materials happens in all industrial processes including traditional cars. It has done since the beginning of industrialisation and frequently involves unsavoury practices. However unless you intend to forego your car/computer/phone/any oil/gas use/etc you really arent in a position to preach.
I stand by my point that EVs are the best option for continued car use.
@bontwoody not preaching. Simply expressing a view. If that hurts so be it.
@Morgan Mmm, expressing a view doesnt usually require the injection of sarcasm, however lets just agree to disagree.
Moving people around takes energy and the cleanest available useable energy at the moment is electricity. Electrically powered vehicles are the only logical choice.
The problem is not the power used but how that power gets to the motor. We’re currently in a competition to shoehorn more and more battery into a given vehicle since current received wisdom is that more range is better, but my hope is that a little lateral thinking will be cultivated.
One possibility is that some form of in-transit charging technology will become reasonably widely installed (no idea whether that means wireless charging or turning the motorway network into a giant Scalextric track) meaning the emphasis would switch from maximising battery capacity to ensuring enough capacity to get to and from the charging network.
Not saying, of course, that this is how things will go; just that I have faith someone will come up with a new bright idea. In the meantime we have little choice but to develop the EV technology so it’s mature enough to be useful when that next brainwave comes along.
Interesting review. Good timing for myself.
Will be driving one shortly – how did you find space in the i4 – anyway bigger than expected?
It was really spacious and definitely bigger than I expected. Lovely car. Looking forward to hear what you think of it.