Multimedia system

BMW has taken a leaf from Mercedes’ book with the i4’s huge, anti-reflective curved display, which unifies the 12.3in instrument panel and the 14.9in central infotainment hub. It will divide opinion, and marks the starkest departure to date from the simplicity of BMW’S traditional orange-tinged roundels.

The software itself is that of BMW’S eighth-generation idrive, and the graphics are ultra-sharp, which is just as well because there is an awful lot of information and icons that can be shown at any given time. Fortunately, the rotary controller familiar to owners of all modern-era BMWS remains, and it makes short work of navigating between maps, multimedia and charging information. With a little practice, idrive 8 quickly becomes the slickest infotainment experience in the class.

However, there is also the option of linking your smartphone, either via Apple Carplay or Android Auto. Both programmes are well integrated, making use of the entirety of the display, and navigation instructions can also be sent to the car’s head-up display.