BMW has revealed the i4 electric sedan in the new M Sport trim at the Auto Shanghai 2021 in China. The fully electric alternative to the BMW 3 Series will go on sale in Europe this year between September – December. The BMW i4 M Sport is not a full out performance car but features cosmetic and aerodynamic upgrades.
Design & Styling
On the outside, the i4 M Sport features a large vertical grille on the front. This grille features satin chrome elements and blue accents that confirm its electric status. Though the grille is the same as the standard i4, the bumper now comes with larger air intakes. The standard model features thin vertical aero ducts flanking the front bumper. The new intakes could feature active vanes that open only when air is needed to cool the powertrain. The louvres remain shut to improve aerodynamic efficiency. On the sides, the M Sport features a black finish underlining the doors and an M badge on the side. The alloy wheel design is also new and the lower rear bumper also comes with mild changes. But the blue accent on the rear diffuser has been retained.
Powertrain
Powering the BMW i4 will be the brand’s 5th generation electric drive motors called Drive. The Gran Coupe features a 390 kW/530 Hp power electric motor. This power unit is able to propel the i4 in the standard guise from 0 to 100 kmph in just 4 seconds. The BMW i4 battery unit boasts to deliver a range of 590 km on the WLTP cycle. The brand is also likely to offer the i4 with different battery capacities at different price points. This will enable the brand to expand its customer base and compete with more brands. This strategy will help BMW compete with not only Audi and Mercedes-EQ but also with Tesla.
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