BMW reveals i4 ahead of launching three months early

THE production-spec BMW i4 has been revealed to the world overnight, however we will have to wait a little longer to see inside or feast our eyes on any more specification details.

One crucial piece of information was divulged though, that being confirmation the i4 would be launched globally three months ahead of schedule.

The announcement – and reveal – was made during BMW Group’s annual media conference broadcast from Munich.

As expected, the production i4 has shed the camouflaged prototypes’ apparent square front end in favour of the 4 Series’ vertical twin kidney grille arrangement, with the kidneys themselves actually being predominantly solid.

Save for the blacked-out chin and signature BMW EV blue trim highlights, it would be all too easy to mistake the i4 for a 4 Series Gran Coupe, even though the latter does not technically exist yet – but it has been confirmed.

A set of large diameter, aerodynamically optimised alloy wheels completes the look for the most part, although the eagle-eyed might notice the lack of exhaust tips at the rear.

Only a few major details of the i4 have been locked in so far with the range set to be topped by a dedicated M Performance version.

While previous reports speculated the flagship would develop in excess of 400kW, it now seems the go-faster model will be the one offering up 390kW rather than the standard version, as well as the extensively reported on 4.0-second 0-100km/h time.

The confirmation of this looks to be in BMW’s wording, with the brand saying the i4 “model line will be available in different versions covering ranges of up to 590km (WLTP) … with a power output of up to 390kW”.

Nevertheless, this figure is still up on the new-generation M3 and M4 Competition twins and a good 40kW clear of Audi’s recently revealed E-Tron GT quattro.

BMW has thus far remained tight-lipped in regard to the i4’s battery capacities however we would not be surprised if the flagship launches with the same, if not a slightly smaller version of the “more than 100kWh” unit destined for the upcoming iX electric SUV given they share similar power outputs and effective ranges.

The wait to find out won’t be too long however with BMW confirming full details if the new i4 range will be released in the coming weeks.

BMW management board chairman Oliver Zipse said the i4 came from the very heart of BMW and that “many customers have been eagerly waiting” for its release.

“This is a clear sign that markets are ready now for electromobility,” he said.

“And that made releasing this Gran Coupe three months earlier than planned an easy decision for us.

“The launch of the BMW iX and the BMW i4 will signalise the start of our technology offensive in 2021: these two all-electric vehicles will set the benchmark for BEVs going forward.”

GoAuto contacted BMW Australia for confirmation on the i4’s expected arrival time Down Under but the local arm declined to comment, saying it was “not in a position to communicate further information”.