The first-ever BMW i4 electric vehicle is now available in Singapore for drivers who are looking for a more environmentally friendly vehicle that helps reduce carbon emissions. The four-door gran coupé combines spaciousness and practicality with the sporting ability for which BMW is known. BMW brings locally emission-free driving pleasure to the midsize segment for the first time.
Expect an elegant design, quality materials and workmanship with a wide variety of individualisation options available. The BMW i4 Drive40 has a retail price of S$311, 888 at press time. It is in the A1 vehicle emission scheme (VES) band.
The standard chassis technology of the first-ever BMW i4 comprises a double-joint spring strut front axle and five-link rear axle with bespoke tuning, lift-related dampers, electromechanical Servotronic steering, an integrated braking system and rear air suspension. Near-actuator wheel slip limitation optimises traction and directional stability in all road and weather conditions. This extremely fast-acting and precise system is fitted as standard on the first-ever BMW i4.
The BMW i4 has a maximum system output of 250kW/340hp at 8,000 to 17,000 rpm and a maximum system torque of 430Nm at 0-5,000 rpm. Its motor technology is the fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology that features an electrically excited synchronous motor, power electronics and single-speed transmission sharing the same housing, generator function of recuperating energy.
The high-voltage lithium-ion battery has a voltage of 398.5V and a capacity of 210.6Ah. The extremely slim high-voltage battery has a cell height of just 110 millimetres, is positioned in the vehicle floor and has a fixed connection with an aluminium shear panel and the front axle subframe. The published electric power consumption is 19.7kWh/100km with a WLTP range of 493 to 590km. Efficient drive system technology and intelligent lightweight design enable smile-inducing dynamics and a long-range without the need for disproportionately large and heavy batteries.
The Combined Charging Unit has been designed to enable extremely flexible battery charging. DC charging is possible at up to 205kW. The car’s range can be increased by as much as 164 km within 10 minutes from 1 10 per cent charge level at a high-power charging station.
BMW Group Asia has partnered with Shell in Singapore to offer BMW i4 customers a comprehensive home or public charging package. Home charging customers will receive a wall-mounted AC charger with complimentary installation service. For public charging, customers will receive a subscription package of 10,000kWh for 3 years at Shell Recharge Stations with no monthly cap for charging, which is equivalent to 50,000 km of driving range (with an average energy consumption of 20kWh/100km).
40 assistance functions such as the Active Cruise Control with automatic Speed Limit Assist, route monitoring and the Steering and Lane Control Assistant are fitted as standard or available as options to provide safe and comfortable driving and parking. Front-collision warning, Speed Limit Info, Lane Departure Warning, Park Distance Control and the Reversing Assist Camera and Parking Assistant with Reversing Assistant are fitted as standard. Parking Assistant Plus including Surround View and Remote 3D View is available as an option.
The new generation of the iDrive display and control/operation system fitted for the first time in the first-ever BMW i4 extends the interaction between driver and vehicle into natural dialogue. It is based on the new BMW Operating System 8 and has been designed with a clear focus on the touchscreen functionality of the BMW Curved Display and spoken communication with the extensively upgraded BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. The BMW Curved Display fully digital screen grouping brings together a 12.3-inch information display and a 14.9-inch control display behind a glass surface angled towards the driver. The digital Intelligent Personal Assistant has gained additional skills and uses a new graphic to communicate with the vehicle’s occupants.
The first-ever BMW i4 is produced as part of a flexible manufacturing set-up at BMW Group Plant Munich on an assembly line shared with models with combustion engines and plug-in hybrid drive systems. 100 per cent green energy is used for both vehicle production and the manufacture of battery cells.
Cobalt and lithium are procured from controlled sources and delivered to battery cell suppliers. The design principle for the electric motors allows the use of rare earth metals to be avoided in the drive system rotors. A high proportion of secondary raw materials and recycled materials helps to reduce the quantities of resources used.
“The BMW i4 is finally here to satisfy the growing appetite for more environmentally friendly vehicles in Singapore. Based on a recent survey we conducted in Singapore, 87% of drivers believe owning electric vehicles (EVs) will contribute to a more desirable and environmentally conscious world by reducing carbon emissions. We completely agree and are on track to make this happen with the i4. With 22% of the respondents expressing interest in purchasing an EV themselves, I am confident our first all-electric gran coupé will quench their thirst as they look to go green.”
Lars Nielsen, Managing Director, BMW Group Asia
