BMW i4 could be more powerful than M4?

Tuesday, 12 May 2020

BMW 4 Series 2020 Final Set Up

A new report from Autocar UK is claiming the all-electric i4 will be positioned as the top dog in the 4 Series range, even above the M4.

We already know the M4 (and M3) Competition will pack the 375kW/600Nm 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six engine already found in the X3 and X4 M Competition models. That's a lot of grunt to beat.

If the British publication is accurate, the i4 xDrive will have 391kW and a monstrous 813Nm from a dual-motor electric powertrain.

The big intake here won't be used as an... er, intake. It'll house a bunch of sensors for autonomous driving.

The i4 will be a heavier beast than the M4, owing to the battery systems under the skin but the difference in torque paired with the instantaneous nature of the delivery could still propel the EV to 100kmh in less time than the combustion-powered M4.

**READ MORE:

The i4 will be heavier than the M4 so it will fall to buyers to decide what they want - zero-emissions and ultimate power or a more old-school 'fun-to-drive' two-door?

* Lowest to highest: every new EV you can buy in NZ in 2020

* BMW spills details on upcoming 4 Series

This is the M440i, the fastest 4 Series that isn't an M or i model.

* New BMW M2 to usher in hotter 1 and 2 Series

* So which is the best BMW M-car again?

According to BMW, the i4 Concept can hit 100km/h in less than four seconds but that could have been referencing a single-motor version while Autocar UK is talking about an i4 with two motors.

Purists will still likely opt for the M4, despite the difference in output, given the lighter weight should make for a more engaging drive. Plus, BMW has confirmed it will offer a manual transmission along with the usual dual-clutch transmission.

While the i4 xDrive will offer the most performance in the 4 Series range, BMW could also release a single-motor version at a later date with a smaller price tag, along with slightly reduced performance.

Other members of the 4 Series include the M440i xDrive, which will get the same turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six as the M340i with the addition of a 48 volt mild hybrid system.

The new electricals consist of an 8kW starter/generator and a small lithium-ion battery to both improve efficiency and off-the-line go. Total power is an identical 275kW while torque should be improved over the M340i's 500Nm. BMW isn't getting into specifics on those, but we'll get all the information when the model launches around July.

Moving a rung down gets you into the 430i while diesel offerings could include the 420d, 430d and M440d.

More information on the 4 Series, as well as the M4 and i4, will arrive later this year.