BMW fully details the i4 sedan and iX SUV, pricing included

02 June 2021

BMW is back with more details about the i4, which it initially semi-announced back in March. Not just that, but we get a look at the iX SUV as well, with details too. So let's buckle up and take them one at a time.

BMW i4

Two versions of the i4 are launching in select markets in November of this year.

The entry-level i4 eDrive 40 has 250 kW (340 hp) power produced by a motor driving the rear axle, and a range of 590 km (367 miles) in the WLTP cycle. Maximum torque is 430 Nm and 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) is achieved in 5.7 seconds. Top speed is limited to 190 km/h (118 mph).

The top of the line i4 M50 has 400 kW (544 hp) of power from two motors, one driving the front and one the rear axle, 795 Nm torque, a range of up to 510 km (317 miles) in the WLTP cycle, and a 0-100 km/h time of 3.9 seconds. Top speed is limited to 225 km/h (139 mph).

The M version also has adaptive M suspension, variable sport steering, an M Sport braking system, and optional M light-alloy wheels up to 20". You also get model-specific drive sound, including sounds developed in collaboration with film music composer Hans Zimmer.

Both models have the same slim high-voltage battery with a gross capacity of 83.9 kWh and a net capacity of 80.7 kWh. This can be fast charged at DC chargers up to 200 kW, and if you do use one of those, in 10 minutes you'll get 164 km / 102 miles of range for the eDrive 40 model and 140 km / 87 miles for the M50 model.

For both models, 10% to 80% takes 31 minutes on a 200 kW DC charger, while 0 to 100% takes 8.5 hours if you're using an 11 kW three-phase AC charger at home. One-pedal driving is available with adaptive and individually adjustable braking recuperation.

The trunk / boot capacity is 470 liters (16.5 ft³), and can be expanded to 1,290 liters (45.5 ft³) with the rear seats down. You can also purchase an optional electrically extendable and retractable trailer tow hitch. The car's permissible trailer load is 1,600 kg. The car's aerodynamics are optimized with a Cd of 0.24. Dimensions are as follows: 188.3" / 4783 mm length, 72.9" / 1852 mm width, 57" / 1448 mm height. The wheelbase is 112.8" / 2856 mm.

Inside there's a 12.3-inch touchscreen information display and a 14.9-inch touchscreen control display, with advanced graphics and software based on BMW OS 8. The car has an eSIM built-in, and 5G support for your connectivity needs, and the OS supports both Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto.

The i4 eDrive 40 will start at $55,400, while the i4 M50 will start at $65,900. The US market launch is expected in the first quarter of 2022.

BMW iX

The iX SUV will launch at the same time as the i4, starting in November in select markets, and then reaching the US in Q1 of 2022, where it will start at $83,200 for the more expensive xDrive 50 model (it doesn't look like the entry-level xDrive 40 will make it to the States, at least not initially).

So once again, as with the i4, we're looking at two versions here, the xDrive 40 and xDrive 50. The former of those makes 240 kW / 326 hp, 630 Nm of torque, and has a range of up to 425 km (264 miles) in the WLTP cycle. It has two motors, one driving the front wheels, one the rear wheels, for all-wheel drive. The xDrive 40 does 0-100 km/h in 6.1 seconds, and has a top speed limited at 200 km/h (124 mph).

The battery has 76.6 kWh gross and 71 kWh net capacity, and can be charged in 8h from empty to full using a 11 kW three-phase AC wallbox at home. You can also fast charge up to 150 kW at a DC charger, in which case you can go from 10% to 80% in 31 minutes.

The BMW iX xDrive 50 also has all-wheel drive, but its motors churn out 385 kW (523 hp) with 765 Nm maximum torque, for a 0-100 km/h time of 4.6 seconds. This version is also limited to 200 km/h (124 mph).

Its battery is larger than that of the entry-level model's, coming in at 111.5 kWh gross capacity, of which 105.2 kWh are usable. This charges in around 11h on a three-phase 11kW AC Wallbox, and can go from 10% to 80% in 35 minutes at a 200kW DC fast charger. The xDrive 50's range is up to 630 km (391 miles) in the WLTP cycle.

Regardless of which iX you get, you'll have a boot / trunk capacity of 500 liters (17.6 ft³), which can expand to 1,750 liters (61.8 ft³) with the back seats down. Trailers up to 2,500 kg in load can be towed, if they're braked (that goes down to 750 kg if they're unbraked).

All models have an air resistance coeficient of 0.25 as well as adaptive and individually regulated recuperation of brake energy. Adaptive is the default, but you can pick three manual settings too - high, medium, or low recuperation. The highest setting is automatically activated in driving position B, and this "produces the characteristic one-pedal feeling".

Inside you get two touchscreens grouped together in what the company calls BMW Curved Display. There's a 12.3-inch "information display" and a 14.9-inch "control display" side by side, the latter housed in a glass surface that's angled towards the driver. There's a digital assistant built-in, as well as an eSIM and support for 5G connectivity, Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto.

The BMW iX is comparable to the X5 in length and width, and is almost the same height as the X6 due to its flowing roofline. The exact dimensions are: 195" / 4953 mm length, 77.4" / 1967 mm width, and 66.7" / 1695 mm height. The wheelbase is 118.1" / 3m.

In the future, an iX M60 model will be launched as well, this one with "a maximum output in excess of 440 kW / 600 hp that promises an exceptionally sporty all-electric driving experience".