[Taboleo] The Prestigious Lineage Flowing Through Electric Cars... The Thrilling BMW i4

BMW's First Electric Gran Coupe i4
Delivers High Torque Immediately Upon Accelerator Pedal Press
ARB System Provides Perceived Response Speed 10 Times Faster
First Equipped with 'Adaptive' Regenerative Braking
Adjusts Strength According to Surrounding Traffic Conditions
Base Price 66.5 Million KRW, High Performance 84.9 Million KRW

BMW i4

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Today's main subject is the BMW i4, but before that, we cannot avoid talking about the 3 Series. Every automaker has its flagship model, and the 3 Series best embodies the pure joy of driving that BMW advocates. Since its debut in 1975, it has sold over 15 million units worldwide, establishing itself not only as a symbol of BMW but also as the representative model of the compact sedan segment.

From the balanced body to the precise and dynamic driving performance, the definition of driving pleasure has evolved over time, and it is hard to deny that this is influenced by the changes in the 3 Series. The 4 Series is based on the 3 Series and is a Gran Coupe, meaning it features a sleek design while considering the comfort of rear-seat passengers. The letter "i" has been added to signify BMW's electric vehicles.

- What has changed compared to the existing 4 Series?

△ The exterior is almost the same. Despite placing a considerable amount of battery under the vehicle as an electric car, it maintains the sleek design of the Gran Coupe. The seat position is low, without the heavy feeling typical of many electric vehicles. Without the exhaust pipes or the closed-off front grille, it is hard to tell that it is an electric car. The central display, which seems connected to the driver's instrument cluster, is slightly curved for better visibility. Various information and menu configurations are intuitively designed for electric vehicles.

BMW i4

BMW i4 interior. The driver's side display is 12.3 inches, and the central display is 14.9 inches, arranged in a curved form on the top of the dashboard, allowing for more intuitive access to various information.

- BMW emphasizes the joy of driving; is this possible with an electric car?

△ BMW introduced the pure electric i3 in 2014, which was a bold move at the time. Now, driving a car powered solely by a motor has become a reality. The electric drive applied to the i4 is the fifth generation, refined to embody BMW’s identity. It delivers high torque immediately upon pressing the accelerator pedal and maintains it over a wide range.

To ensure stable driving, the body structure has been reinforced, torsional rigidity increased, and aerodynamic drag reduced. Compared to the 3 Series, the body is about 5 cm lower. The battery capacity is 84 kWh, larger than that of the Hyundai Ioniq 5, but the cells are efficiently arranged to keep the thickness to about 11 cm, lowering the center of gravity. The front-to-rear weight distribution is nearly balanced at 48:52. The ARB system, which prevents slipping, transmits signals about three times faster, resulting in a perceived response speed about ten times quicker for the driver. Although the electric car inevitably feels somewhat heavy, it leaves a sufficiently sharp impression even in corners.

- What are the first-time features included?

△ The regenerative braking system in electric cars charges the battery when the accelerator pedal is released. This car applies an "adaptive" method. While many electric cars vary the strength of regenerative braking, it is rare to adjust it according to surrounding traffic conditions. It feels similar to adaptive cruise control: when there is a car ahead, it applies strong braking for quick deceleration; when there is no car, it maintains momentum similar to an internal combustion engine vehicle. This is reportedly the first feature introduced at dealerships.

The iconic sound by Hans Zimmer, the famous film music composer, is another highlight of the new car. Beyond filling the void left by the silent electric motor, it enhances emotional satisfaction with a unique sound. It adds a thrilling feeling in sync with pedal operation and vehicle speed during acceleration and deceleration. Unlike the existing 3 and 4 Series, the rear is equipped with air suspension to more precisely balance the center of gravity, which is also impressive.

BMW i4

- I am considering it along with the Tesla Model 3.

△ The base i4 model (iDrive 40) with a single motor producing 340 horsepower starts at 66.5 million KRW, and the high-performance i4 M50 with two motors producing 544 horsepower starts at 84.9 million KRW. The government subsidy is 3.4 million KRW and 3.15 million KRW, respectively. The driving range is 429 km and 378 km, respectively. Since this is the first pure electric sedan from a high-end German brand and considering Tesla’s distinct American car sensibility, direct comparison is not easy.

BMW does not directly target Tesla’s Model 3 (64.69 million KRW; high-performance 84.39 million KRW) as a competitor. However, since the Model 3 is currently the best-selling electric car worldwide and has similar specifications and price range, potential buyers would naturally consider both. The halo effect of the Tesla brand cannot be ignored. However, if you still prioritize driving and consider the overall completeness of the car, the conclusion should not be difficult.