BMW facelifts i4 and 4 Gran Coupé, i4 gets fourth drive variant

BMW presents a slightly revised version of the 4 Series Gran Coupé and its electric sister, the i4, at Auto China in Beijing. The i4 not only has fresh design accents but also an additional drive variant.

The new drive system is the i4 xDrive40. Until now, the i4 has only been available as an all-wheel-drive model in the decidedly sporty i4 M50 top variant with 400 kW of power. As a rear-wheel-drive model, there was the i4 eDrive40 with 250 kW and the same battery of 83,9 kWh useful energy, or the 210 kW i4 eDrive35 with a smaller 70.2 kWh battery.

All-wheel-drive

The new all-wheel-drive variant also utilizes the 83.9 kWh battery of the eDrive40 and M50. The system output of the all-wheel drive is 295 kW, and the torque is 600 Nm due to the second electric motor on the front axle. However, consumption increases with power and torque, so the range of the all-wheel-drive vehicle is between 444 and 548 kilometers, according to WLTP, depending on the equipment.

The WLTP ranges of the three known drive variants will also change with the facelift, presumably due to the slightly modified aerodynamics of the redesigned front section. The rear-wheel drive model with the same battery size can now travel up to 600 kilometers (previously 590).

In comparison, the more powerful i4 M50 (with also wider tires) has a maximum WLTP range of 522 kilometers (previously 520). For the base model i4 eDrive35, the WLTP range has increased from 483 to 500 kilometers.

When it comes to charging, the new i4 xDrive40 is similar to the familiar models: 11 kW is possible with alternating current, and the i4 versions with the large battery can charge with a peak of 205 kW at correspondingly powerful fast charging stations (eDrive35: 180 kW).

The battery can be preconditioned to the optimum temperature before fast charging stops to achieve the promised charging time of around 30 minutes under as many conditions as possible. Additionally, all model variants of the BMW i4 are suitable for ‘Connected Home Charging’ in initial pilot markets. BMW recently introduced this function for solar and load-optimized charging together with E.ON.

Discrete design changes on i4

The design changes are rather discrete. The basic shape of the BMW kidney grille at the front remains the same, but the design of the black cover has changed. Previously, the surface was completely closed, and the black high-gloss surface had numerous indentations to create a pattern.

In the future, only the part of the BMW kidney grille around and above the license plate will be closed but with a smooth surface. The section below the license plate has been opened up as an additional air intake. The kidney grille’s contour is finished in matt chrome as standard and is optionally available in high-gloss black.

Other modifications include the new structure of the LED units in the headlights themselves. The daytime running lights and indicators are now arranged vertically, giving the headlights a fresh look. Adaptive LED headlights with glare-free matrix high beams or new tail lights with laser light are optional extras.

Targeted revisions inside include redesigned steering wheels, such as the standard two-spoke steering wheel with polygonal rim. The number of buttons and controls on the instrument panel has also been reduced. In the future, ventilation, air conditioning, and the optional seat and steering wheel heating will be operated via the Control Display or voice control.

The infotainment on the Curved Display is factory-fitted with the BMW OS 8.5 software version, which offers features including a new entry screen with vertically arranged function icons on one level. According to BMW, QuickSelect access will be used to select functions directly without submenus.

All combustion-engined variants of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé now come standard with the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission. The exterior and interior have been modified to mirror those of the i4.

BMW has not yet announced prices but will do so at the end of May. The revised version of the i4 will be produced at the Munich plant starting in July.