BMW claims its i4 – the group’s full electric premium mid-range model – has a range of “some 600 kilometres” – 373 miles in imperial currency.
In BMW-speak, the car is “a four-door Gran Coupe with locally emissions-free mobility” which “heralds a new era of driving pleasure”.
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The new model uses fifth-generation eDrive technology, which will make its debut in (under?) the iX3 in 2020 followed by the iNEXT and i4.
The automaker claims to have the biggest range of all-electric and plug-in hybrid models in its segments and plans 25 electrified models by 2023.
For the latest eDrive, the electric motor, power electronics, charging unit and high voltage battery were all newly developed.
The i4 motor develops maximum output of around 390kW/530hp, reaching the level of a combustion V8 petrol engine.
The high-voltage battery is an extremely flat design with optimised energy density. It weighs 550kg with energy content of 80kWh.
The i4’s build starts in 2021 in Munich for global sale.
The electric i brand’s first Gran Coupe accelerates from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in four seconds, achieving top speed of 200km/h (120mph), BMW said.
The charging unit and high voltage battery were developed by BMW with production either in-house or contracted out.
Fifth-generation eDrive comprises a highly integrated drive system in which the electric motor, transmission and power electronics are accommodated in a single housing. It is compatible with all vehicle types and will be available for different models in a range of output levels.
The highly integrated design allows a significant increase in power density as well as a reduction in weight and manufacturing time and cost. Production of future-generation electric motors will no longer require materials categorised as rare earths.
BMW’s latest EV charge unit is a uniform package suitable for all future vehicle architecture. It can be used in plug-in hybrid models as well as in purely electrically powered vehicles and is designed for a charging capacity of up to 150kW. This allows the high-voltage battery to be charged to around 80% of its full energy content in around 35 minutes – charging time of six minutes for a range of 100km.
The group has been manufacturing modules and model-specific high-voltage batteries for EVs since 2013.
The i4’s batteries have a higher number of cells per module, a reduced number of components, a more compact design and increased shape flexibility.
