10-16-2020, 09:41 AM | #1 |
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BMW i4M EV First Sighting [Spy Pics]
BIMMERPOST NEWS BMW i4M EV First Sighting Here's the first look at the BMW i4 M, upcoming top-range model for the i4 EV lineup. Compared to the standard i4 spotted so far, the prototype i4M features M mirrors, brakes, as well as a wider track at the rear axle. Here is some recent info on the i4 M, via Autoblog BMW M put an end to years of rumors by announcing it's developing its first electric car. Based on the upcoming i4, the sedan will pack a serious punch, but it won't give the recently-unveiled M3 a run for its money. "Next year, we will launch the first battery-electric M car in the performance segment, based on the i4, as something to confirm. Then, we're working on hybrid electrified performance and high-performance cars, but it's too early to disclose which ones it is going to be [sic]," BMW M boss Markus Flasch told CarAdvice. While the term "performance segment" is ambiguous, CarAdvice added that Flasch differentiated M's performance cars from its high-performance models. The i4-based sedan will be one of the former; cars like the M3 are part of the latter group. Reading between the lines suggests the M-tuned i4 (whose name hasn't been revealed yet) will be on the same rung of the BMW hierarchy as the M340i, rather than in the same arena as the M3. Its performance shouldn't disappoint, however, because even the standard i4 will be seriously quick. Introduced as a close-to-production concept earlier in 2020, the quickest i4 will boast up to 530 horsepower from two electric motors, and a 0-60-mph time of about four seconds, which is on par with the aforementioned M3. Flasch stopped short of revealing the M variant's specifications, but those are solid numbers to start with. BMW isn't opposed to the idea of releasing an M3-rivaling sedan that's powered exclusively by batteries, but it's waiting until electric technology improves to jump into the segment. Flasch said his team is looking into it. "On the high-performance battery-electric technology, there is still some time that we need until technology is ready, and can take on an existing high-performance car, like an M3 or M4. This will take some more time, but we're working on that," he stressed. Other performance brands have said they need to clear similar hurdles. While EVs are irrefutably quick, M doesn't develop its cars exclusively for straight-line speed. They need to handle at least as well as they accelerate. Cramming a lithium-ion battery pack under a vehicle's passenger compartment lowers its center of gravity, but it adds a tremendous amount of weight that BMW M needs to offset. Furthermore, engineers are looking at ways to substitute the exhaust note, which is a big part of the driving experience. We'll learn more about M's electrification plans in the coming months. BMW will begin building the standard variant of the i4 in Munich, Germany, in 2021, meaning it will likely arrive in the United States as a 2022 model. It will cleverly be assembled on the same line as diesel-, gasoline- and hybrid-powered cars. Its M-branded counterpart will make its public debut before the end of 2021, so it might not get here until the 2023 model year.
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10-16-2020, 09:58 AM | #2 |
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Finally, some competition to Tesla's Model 3. I'm definitely very curious to see how this car will not only balance handling but efficiency.
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10-16-2020, 10:00 AM | #3 |
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Please have a liftback and not a normal trunk
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10-16-2020, 10:01 AM | #4 |
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I keep forgetting it will have the grilles. Bold choice for an EV.
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10-16-2020, 10:06 AM | #6 |
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Definitely interested to see how this plays out. It would be tough to give up a manual transmission, but if I did it would only be for an EV
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10-16-2020, 10:06 AM | #7 |
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This is not a Model 3 competitor unless its priced at $40-$50K. This seems to be a $70-$80K car.
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10-16-2020, 10:08 AM | #8 |
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I drove an I3 for 2 years and it was a blast. A full size sedan built on BMW i platform would be very interesting.
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10-16-2020, 10:11 AM | #9 |
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Anyone else notice the M mirror caps and M-sport brakes!?!?!
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10-16-2020, 10:18 AM | #10 |
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Curious to see the final design once they remove the excessive block off panels around the front and rear of the car. This has such great potential!
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10-16-2020, 10:57 AM | #11 |
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I love the concept but it's going to look VERY spendy next to a model 3, whose economics are kind of insane to me, given the range and performance vs ~$58k price without full autopilot. I've test driven one and my brother has a tuned 2017 M3. We were blown away with the acceleration. If you're looking at only performance, the Model 3 dwarfs what the M3 does *on the street* But throw in build quality and subjective looks and maybe you can make the jump to an i4M for likely an additional ~$15k. Tough pill to swallow.
BMW has quite the EV mountain to climb, but that excites me. I expect them to rise to the occasion given enough development time. |
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10-16-2020, 11:01 AM | #13 |
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I'm repeating myself but BMW is a luxury brand; and Tesla is simply not a luxury brand. OF COURSE a BMW would be more expensive than a comparably-sized Tesla. It's weird to me that people would assume otherwise.
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10-16-2020, 11:03 AM | #14 | |
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Based on these shots it looks like a normal trunk which is a shame.
Quote:
I am guessing it will compete with model 3 in straight line but beat it for handling and for sure materials and interior which is how they will justify a large price gap. It's not like BMW is going to make $10,000 more profit than Tesla. They put some of that increased pricing into the car. I could never buy a Tesla just because the inside looks like a $25,000 car. |
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10-16-2020, 11:08 AM | #15 |
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Sounds to me like BMW would need to go up a step on the braking system to maintain similar capabilities. So if this is the M340i equivalent, then to maintain similar braking performance with adding "a tremendous amount or weight" then it should have standard M3 brakes at the very least.
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10-16-2020, 11:47 AM | #16 |
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Depends though as if you ramp up the performance battery option of the T3 it is pricey. But I agree with you, BMW have advised this will be near M performance and priced accordingly. U.K. that might mean up to £7k mark.
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10-16-2020, 11:52 AM | #17 |
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I really want to be excited for this but I'll be honest that I'm very concerned about the exterior styling. I'm hopeful they'll manufacture an electric M2 that remains small and agile and concurrently respects BMW design heritage. How bad ass would an E30 design descendant be in electric format? There's so much they could do with the car now that mechanical components won't figure into the design (packaging as opposed to styling).
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10-16-2020, 12:16 PM | #18 |
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OMG Yes yes !! Gimme Gimme!!!!!!
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10-16-2020, 12:23 PM | #19 |
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So the i4 will have an M version that is designed to not be faster than the M3/M4, on par with an M340i, as expensive as the Tesla Model S Long Range, when a Tesla Model 3 Performance is faster than all of them for much less.
BMW needs to get rid of these clowns running this freaking circus. |
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10-16-2020, 12:26 PM | #20 | |
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Quote:
Take a look at the rear pillar on the i4 rear door (not camo'd like the C pillar of the vehicle). See how it slopes rearward down from the roof to the door rear edge cutline? That is a very different door glass design than the sedan for this generation. There is no pillar above the cutline on the sedan. The cutline on the sedan continues straight up over the rear wheel. You can see through the camo that the i4 cutline gets to about the 11 o'clock position of the rear wheel and then turns up. This it looks much more like what a GC would do and that is a hatchback.
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10-16-2020, 12:30 PM | #21 |
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This couldn't come sooner, Tesla just updated the Model 3 today, who knows what other updates they'll bring out by the time the i4 makes it to dealers.
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10-16-2020, 12:33 PM | #22 |
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"Furthermore, engineers are looking at ways to substitute the exhaust note, which is a big part of the driving experience."
Yes, BMW!! The only way I purchase a full EV is if there's artificial engine sound akin to an ICE.
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