BMW i4 can’t match Model 3 on price

BMW Australia has revealed pricing and specification details for the 2022 BMW i4 – the German car-maker’s eagerly-awaited Tesla Model 3 rival.

On sale early in 2022, the BMW i4 will initially be available in two variants: the $99,900 (plus on-road costs) i4 eDrive40 and the $124,900 (plus ORCs) i4 M50, which is the first electric car to emerge from BMW’s M high-performance division.

That base number compares with a much-lower $59,900 starting price for the Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus, while the i4 M50 will compete with the Tesla Model 3 Performance that starts at $84,900 plus ORCs.

There’s no escaping the premium position of the i4, but BMW has sweetened the deal with a complimentary five-year/unlimited-energy subscription to the Chargefox infrastructure network, together with Mode 2 and Mode 3 cables and lengthy standard equipment lists.

The rear-wheel drive BMW i4 eDrive40 uses a 250kW/430Nm electric motor on the rear axle, feeding off an 80.7kWh lithium-ion battery.

All told, the entry-level i4 delivers a claimed 5.7sec 0-100km/h sprint and a 590km WLTP-rated range, the latter aided by 116kW in regenerative braking.

Using a 200kW DC charger, the i4 eDrive40 can reach 80 per cent charge (from 10 per cent) in a claimed 31 minutes.

The performance-oriented i4 M50 upgrades to an all-wheel drive layout courtesy of dual electric motors (one on each axle) developing 350kW and 730Nm (or up to 400kW/795Nm during short bursts).

The i4 M50 claims a 3.9sec 0-100km/h time, a top speed of 225km/h and a 510km WLTP-certified range.

Like the i4 eDrive40, charging from 10 to 80 per cent takes as little as 31 minutes using a 200kW DC charger, while regenerative braking power increases to 195kW.

From a household power point, it takes a hardly-worth-it 46 hours to fully replenish the i4’s battery, or 11.5h with BMW’s single-phase wallbox system.

In equipment terms, the i4 eDrive40 is fitted standard with 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, M Sport package, M Sport brakes, adaptive suspension, keyless entry, three-zone climate control, leather upholstery and automatic tailgate.

Infotainment comprises a 14.9-inch touch-screen using BMW’s iDrive 8 software, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, head-up display, wireless phone charging and 10-speaker sound system.

The i4 M50 adds M Performance tuning, front lumbar support and seat heating, BMW Laserlight headlights, a 16-speaker audio system, electric glass roof, alloy wheels with performance tyres, M technology package, lip spoiler and metallic paintwork.

Both variants are fitted with BMW IconicSounds Electric, a suite of drivetrain sounds created by film and music composer Hans Zimmer.

There are also a claimed 40 assistance functions on offer including front collision warning, speed limit info, lane departure warning, park distance control, reversing assistant and Parking Assistant Plus including Surround View and Remote 3D View.

Four optional packages will be available for the BMW i4 in Australia.

A $5800 Visibility Package (i4 eDrive40 only) brings metallic paintwork, glass electric roof and BMW Laserlights; a $1500 Comfort package ($1300 for i4 M50) adds steering wheel heating, lumbar support and seat heating; and a $1700 M Sport Plus Package ($1200 for i4 M50) gets you M lights, M seat belts, M rear spoiler and gloss styling cues.

A $3600 Executive Package ($2100 for i4 M50) adds tyre pressure monitoring, alarm system, tinted windows, 16-speaker audio system and BMW drive recorder.

The i4 is produced at a “flexible and sustainable” BMW Group manufacturing plant in Munich, Germany, employing secondary raw materials and recycled materials where possible.

How much does the 2022 BMW i4 cost?
BMW i4 eDrive40 – $99,900
BMW i4 M50 – $124,900
*Prices exclude on-road costs