BMW i4 Getting Ready To Battle Tesla Model 3 And Polestar 2

BMW‘s upcoming all-electric i4 can’t get here soon enough now that the Tesla Model 3 is no longer an only child in its segment – the Polestar 2 very recently changed that status quo.

The more we see this car, even fully camouflaged, the more we realize that we’re still many years away from actually seeing a near-copy of the BMW i Vision Dynamics Concept on the road, a car we thought would eventually become the i4. That’s clearly not the case right now.

It’s more 4-Series Gran Coupe than i Vision Dynamics

Visually, the new i4 has a similar shape to the 4-Series GC, including a hatchback rear-end design for improved practicality, and regular width fender panels, as opposed to the previously-mentioned concept’s wide fenders.

We don’t actually expect the 2021 i4 to look exactly like a 2019 4-Series Gran Coupe for obvious reasons: BMW has already moved on to a new design language for its latest models, which means different profile lines, different headlights, taillights and so on. This means we could also see some details from the i Vision Dynamics Concept make their way onto the i4, such as the vertical kidney grille design or the swept back headlights – the automaker did previously say that the i4 will draw inspiration from said concept.

What about performance?

The i4 will ride on BMW’s CLAR architecture and according to some reports, it will stand as the fully-electric version of Bavaria’s upcoming 4-Series range, which would explain the familiar styling.

Customers will be able to choose between rear- and all-wheel drive models, with the base version using a front-mounted electric motor powering the rear wheels. Meanwhile, the range-topping model should use two electric motors, powering both axles. As for power and range, we know that BMW’s target is for the i4 to travel up to 435 miles (700 km) between charges, while offering class-leading 0-100 km/h (62 mph) times.

According to BMW chairman Harald Kruger, the BMW i4 will make its global debut in 2021.