BMW i4 Review

Performance

You’ve currently got three models to choose from, the cheapest being the ‘regular’ i4 eDrive35, with a single electric motor rated at 282bhp with 400Nm of torque. But it’s still a quick car by any standards, achieving 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds. Next up is the eDrive40 with a 335bhp motor and 5.7sec 0-60mph time, and the ‘sporty’ i4 M50, with dual motors for a 537bhp peak – more than the latest BMW M3 super saloon, believe it or not – and a supercar-esque 3.9sec sprint to 60mph. In truth they’re both focused on fun. It’s what BMW’s always done best, and it has dragged its trademark pep and dynamism into the electric age with seemingly little trouble indeed.

The brakes are a lot better than most electric cars, with more initial bite and a more natural feel than most rivals. It’s got a B mode to maximise regenerative braking, too, and uses a clever system to maximise the effect based on maps and radar. So it knows if there is a bend coming up or the cars in front are slowing down and makes sure it gets the maximum amount of power back.

Drive

It feels... very BMW. So the steering is positive and accurate, and the weight distribution is spot-on 50:50, so the car feels nicely poised when you inevitably fling it around a roundabout. It’s got that very BMW feeling of confidence.

There are three modes to choose from and you can tweak them to suit your taste, so you can have an Eco mode that still has full heating, for example. In fact the i4 – like a lot of these cars – seems to suit being a tiny bit more relaxed, The power is always there instantly, so there’s no need to get over-excited.

That’s not to say its not an exciting and rewarding car to drive. Far from it – this makes you feel far more in control and connected to the car than you do in most other electric rivals –especially SUVs. But it is so quiet and refined that it just makes you want to relax and take it easy to enjoy the tranquillity.