The Manila Times

Priced at P4.49M with advanced ConnectedD­rive technology

- BY ISAAC ATIENZA

BMW Philippine­s has expanded its electric vehicle (EV) lineup with the introducti­on of the 2024 BMW i4 GranCoupe, the most affordable electric offering from the German luxury brand to date, retailing at P4.49 million. This launch marks a significan­t step for BMW, as it now offers four electric luxury cars in the local market.

So, what do you get for that amount of money? For starters, the i4’s exterior is pretty much what you would expect in a BMW i car. Basically, it echoes the design of its internal combustion engine (ICE) variant, but with a few unique details. The large kidney grille in the i4 is closed while blue highlights on the front, sides and rear indicate that this is not your standard ICE-powered 4 Series. The LED headlights, taillights, and the rest of the vehicle are all similar to the 420i Gran Coupe that’s also currently on sale.

As for the interior, the tech-laden dashboard with its two curved displays is powered by the latest iDrive 8.5 infotainme­nt, which is updated from the previous iDrive 8. iDrive 8.5 comes with a few interface improvemen­ts such as an onscreen home button, new font styles, and a slightly redesigned interface and gauge layout. Apart from the premium interior, another highlight of the new i4 is it’s the first BMW in the Philippine­s to finally be offered with BMW ConnectedD­rive.

Starting with this 2024 BMW i4, select BMW models coming in 2024 will include BMW ConnectedD­rive, offering enhanced connectivi­ty and convenienc­e. With the BMW ConnectedD­rive, BMW customers will enjoy the availabili­ty of the MyBMW App, which enables remote control of vehicle functions and accessing vital vehicle informatio­n to ensure users remain informed and in control by simply using a smartphone. The host of services that come with this feature also include Remote Software Update to facilitate wireless software updates. These features, along with numerous other exciting capabiliti­es, converge to create a technologi­cally advanced driving experience.

The 2024 BMW i4 is offered in the eDrive35 variant, which means you get a single electric motor powering the rear wheels. Its 286 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque are at your instant disposal, and this enables a 0-100 kph time of just 6 seconds. Its 70.2-kilowatt-hour lithiumion battery pack is good for a range of 483 kilometers based on WLTP testing cycles.

 ?? ?? The rear of the BMW i4.
The i4’s tech-laden dashboard is powered by the latest iDrive 8.5 infotainme­nt.
The rear of the BMW i4. The i4’s tech-laden dashboard is powered by the latest iDrive 8.5 infotainme­nt.
 ?? ?? Unlike it’s gaspowered sibling, the BMW i4’s kidney grill is closed with blue highlights on the side.
Unlike it’s gaspowered sibling, the BMW i4’s kidney grill is closed with blue highlights on the side.
 ?? ?? The luxurious interior of the BMW i4.
The luxurious interior of the BMW i4.

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