THE six months spanning October-March are going to be busy for BMW Australia because it launches the iX, iX3, M3/M4 Competitors xDrives, M4 Convertible and the i4, the latter of which was this week confirmed to be arriving Down Underneath within the first quarter of 2022.
Whereas pricing and the finer specification particulars are nonetheless to be confirmed, the native i4 line-up will initially encompass two simply variants, these being the eDrive40 and the M-fettled M50.
In traditional BMW type, the eDrive40 shall be strictly rear-wheel-drive, that includes a single electrical motor mounted to the rear axle creating 250kW/430Nm.
With the motor being fed by an 83.9kW/h lithium-ion battery, the bottom i4 will reportedly go from 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds and canopy as much as 590km on a single cost in keeping with the WLTP cycle.
The M50 in the meantime includes a dual-motor setup – one on every axle – creating a way more potent 400kW/795Nm, slashing the 0-100km/h time right down to a claimed 3.9 seconds.
Given it shares the identical battery capability as its lesser sibling, the M50’s vary is predictably shorter with BMW pegging the official WLTP determine at 510km on the account of the additional motor and energy.
Relating to recharging in the meantime, each variants could be charged at as much as 200kW with BMW claiming as much as 164km could be added to the eDrive40’s vary after simply 10 minutes linked to a DC quick charger from a place to begin of 10 per cent – 140km for the M50.
Flaunting 4 doorways and a sloping roofline, the i4 is one of the best indication but as to what the looming 4 Sequence Gran Coupe will appear like, though it doesn’t characteristic the Gran Coupe nomenclature in its title.
On the entrance is a filled-in tackle the 4 Sequence’ vertical kidney grille association which now homes all of the related sensors, radars and cameras for the assorted security methods – front-collision warning, pace restrict information, lane-departure warning and park-distance management to call a couple of – and luxuries given it now not wants to permit air into the engine bay.
Underneath the pores and skin, the i4 rides on a double-joint spring strut entrance axle and a five-link rear axle with lift-related dampers in all 4 corners and air springs on the rear.
The M50 predictably goes one or two steps additional than the eDrive40 with adaptive M suspension, variable sport steering and M Sport brakes.
Cornering dynamics are helped additional by the i4’s low centre of gravity – 53mm decrease than a 3 Sequence – due to the underfloor packaging of the battery and axle-mounted electrical motor(s).
As typical, varied M Efficiency components shall be out there as optionally available extras together with a heap of BMW M Sport and M Carbon exterior packs and options to assist up the visible ante.
Contained in the cabin, the inside is dominated by the brand new BMW “Curved Show” which encompasses a 12.3-inch data show and a 14.9-inch management show into one seamless interface oriented in direction of the motive force for optimum ergonomics.
Just like the iX premium-electric SUV, the infotainment duties will come courtesy of the new-generation BMW Working System 8 which can embody the newest model of iDrive and an enhanced BMW Clever Private Assistant.
International customary tools highlights in the meantime will embody three-zone local weather management, cloud-based satellite tv for pc navigation, 5G connectivity, energetic cruise management with automated pace restrict help, route monitoring and the steering and lane management assistant.
The native arm of BMW has bought 11,030 new autos up to now this 12 months ending Might, marking a 18.9 % gross sales enhance on the 9273 items it shifted over the identical interval final 12 months.
