Why reinvent the wheel?

BMW uses popular 3 series as inspiration for new electric vehicle

By now, nearly every automaker is fully focused on electric vehicle development, with many now offering several such models. For 2023, BMW will have the i4 sedan, ix tall wagon and i7 luxury-class sedan.

Now in its second year, the i4 replaced the i3, an odd-looking little four-seat hatchback that was retired after the 2020 model year. The i3 addressed the issue of range anxiety — the fear of running out of power before finding a place to charge — with an optional two-cylinder gasoline internal combustion generator engine that kept the electricity flowing. The i4 has no such option.

Many visual aspects of the 3-series-based M3 performance sedan can be seen in the i4, beginning with an imposing kidney-shaped grille. It’s not just for show as it allows outside air to cool the motor(s), the battery, the brakes and the climate system.

The i4’s basic structure uses BMW’S modular platform that was designed for internal-combustion engines and hybrid systems as well as for electric motors and their related lithium-ion batteries.

The independent rear air suspension helps smooth the ride and keeps the i4 level when carrying heavy loads.

Key measurements — length, width, height and distance between the front and rear wheels — are nearly identical to the M3’s. At first glance, it might be difficult to tell the two apart.

There are more obvious differences inside the cabin where the curved screen houses a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster as well as a nearly 15-inch touch screen.

For 2023, there are three levels of i4, beginning with the new edrive35 base model. It has a single rear-mounted motor that makes 281 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.

The next step up is the single-motor edrive40 with 335 horsepower and 317 pound-feet.

The all-wheel-drive i4 M50 has a second motor to drive the front wheels. The net output is 469 horsepower and 538 pound-feet. In Sport mode, output increases to 536/586, but only for 10-second bursts. The boost process can be repeated so long as there’s sufficient battery power.

According to BMW, the edrive35 can accelerate to 60 mph from rest in 5.8 seconds, which is three-tenths slower than the edrive40. The i4

M50 takes 3.7 seconds.

BMW notes that the i4’s motors are assembled without the need for costly rare-earth metals.

With its 70.2-kilowatt-hour battery pack, the edrive35 offers an estimated maximum range of 256 miles.

The upper models get an 81-kilowatt-hour battery. The edrive40’s maximum range is rated at 301 miles and the M50’s at 270.

All three models transmit power via a single-speed direct-drive transmission.

Plugged in to a 240-volt Level 2 charger, the i4 reaches 100 percent battery capacity from empty in less than eight hours, according to BMW. For every 10 minutes hooked to a 480-volt Level 3 DC fast charger, the i4 adds about 90 miles worth of electricity.

The i4 edrive35 starts at $52,400, including destination charges. It and the i4 edrive40 ($56,900) arrive well turned out with dual-zone climate control, power moonroof, pow

er-controlled front sport seats and sport steering wheel. Also included is an Acoustic Protection System with external speakers to alert pedestrians that the nearly silent i4 is approaching.

Along with all-wheel-drive, the i4 M50 xdrive ($68,300) adds an aero body kit, adaptive (constantly adjusting) suspension, M Sport steering and brakes and 19-inch wheels (18s are on the i4 edrive35 and edrive40).

The base model is equipped with several dynamic safety features, such as autonomous emergency braking and lane-departure warning, but active cruise control (with stop-andgo function), front cross-traffic alert and a 360-degree surround-view camera are optional.

If an electric sedan isn’t your preference, the all-wheel-drive ix utility-style vehicle, which lists for $85,100, might be worth checking out. For everyone else seeking to eliminate fuel stops the BMW i4 should comfortably and stylishly suffice.

BMW The BMW i4 blends a modern, elegantly sporty design with the spaciousness and functionality of a four-door Gran Coupe — all while generating zero local emissions.

There’s a wide curved panel that houses a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a 15inch touch screen. Since there are technically no gears in the i4’s powertrain, the shift lever is more of direction changer.

BMW It might look like a normal 3-Series M3 sedan — and that’s the general idea — but peeling away the floor uncovers a battery pack that powers a rear electric motor in the edrive 35 and edrive40 or front and rear motors in the M50.