The BMW i4 electric is now more powerful than the M4
BMW updates its i4 electric sedan with improvements in autonomy, technology and performance. The new i4 M60 xDrive accelerates faster and offers 601 horsepower
While manufacturers seek not only to electrify their ranges but to stand out among increasingly fierce competition, BMW responds with a strategic move in its electric lineup. The new BMW i4 Gran Coupé, which is positioned as one of the pillars of the German firm's zero-emission mobility, receives a series of technical improvements that put it back in the spotlight.
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Far from showing off major visual changes, the Bavarian manufacturer has focused on perfecting what really matters to the user of an electric car: efficiency, autonomy and technological experience. And in that sense, the i4 has taken a firm step.
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A discreet but effective evolution
Since its launch, the BMW i4 has been one of the best balanced models in the BMW electric family, offering sportiness without sacrificing comfort or range.
Although its original presentation dates back to 2021, it was in 2022 when it began to be delivered to the first customers. Since then, it has grown in versions and is now receiving its first major update, focused primarily on its performance.
On the outside, the changes may go unnoticed, but inside, it's a different story. The multimedia system has been updated, including a new voice assistant, and technical improvements have been implemented that translate into greater autonomy for the entire range.
This is due, among other things, to the introduction of silicon carbide semiconductors in the inverters, a technology that reduces energy consumption by up to 4.5%.
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In terms of autonomy, the leap is noticeable. The BMW i4 eDrive35, the entry-level version of the range, maintains its 286 horsepower but can now travel up to 514 kilometers, compared to the previous 482 kilometers. This is joined by the i4 eDrive40, also with a single engine but with a power of 340 horsepower,which increases its autonomy from 589 to 613 kilometers.
This increase is due to the optimization of the powertrain and the incorporation of thermal and electronic improvements, not to the increase in the size of the battery, which allows maintaining the balance in weight and interior space.
i4 M60 xDrive: more power than an M4, for less money
However, the most notable novelty of this update is the incorporation of the new BMW i4 M60 xDrive, a version developed by the M Performance division that replaces the previous M50 xDrive.
With 601 horsepower, all-wheel drive and acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 3.7 seconds, this variant not only improves the outgoing model in performance (the M50 did the same sprint in 3.9 seconds), but even surpasses the current BMW M4 in pure numbers.
And the most surprising thing is the price. While an M4 costs over $80,000, the new BMW i4 M60 xDrive starts at around $86,400, with a more advanced spec sheet and without compromising everyday usability. Its range has also improved: from 519 kilometers previously, it now reaches 543 kilometers.
A strategy aimed at balance
Although it might seem like a minor update, the truth is that BMW has fine-tuned its offering. The Bavarian firm understands that the battle in the electric vehicle segment is being fought on three fronts: range, performance, and price. And in each case, the i4 has emerged stronger.
In addition to the technical improvements, the i4 retains its five-door Gran Coupé body style, giving it greater versatility compared to other sedans in the segment.
And with a low center of gravity thanks to the battery in the floor, it offers agile handling, something that model owners have already noted positively.
Range and prices of the new BMW i4 in the United States
BMW has not yet revealed full pricing details for the US market, but based on converted European prices, the updated versions are estimated to be in the following ranges:
These values ????place it in a competitive position against rivals such as the Tesla Model 3 Performance or the Polestar 2 Long Range.
Technology at the service of the driver
Another strong point of the renewed i4 is the update of its operating system. The iDrive interface now runs on the BMW Operating System 8.5 platform, which improves navigation and smartphone integration.
The voice assistant has also been improved and new gesture commands have been added.
In addition, the model includes a complete suite of driving assistants, such as adaptive cruise control, lane keeping,parking assistant and 360-degree camera system. BMW's idea is to offer a car that is not only efficient, but also sophisticated.
BMW has wanted to maintain the essence of the i4 without altering what its customers already liked.
This conservative strategy makes sense: the i4 has been a moderate success within the electric range, and radically modifying its formula would be an unnecessary risk. Instead, they have chosen to refine it, bringing it even closer to the expectations of the modern consumer.

