The cheapest BMW i4 is already on the way: a smaller battery, but with an eye on 50,000 euros

The current range of the  BMW i4  consists of only two versions, eDrive40 and M50, respectively of 340 hp and 544 hp. Soon the range could expand with a new version, less powerful and with a smaller battery, the  BMW i4 eDrive35 .

The eDrive35 would be the  access version to the BMW i4 range, sitting in the range below the eDrive40. It has a single electric motor mounted on the rear axle, a lower capacity battery and a range of almost 500 km in the WLTP cycle.

Aesthetically, the eDrive35 is virtually identical to the eDrive40. In fact, the main changes are the ones you don't see.

A useful battery of 66 kWh

This new access model to the i4 range has a lithium-ion battery with a useful capacity of 66 kWh (70.2 kWh in total). In comparison, the eDrive40 and M50 have a useful battery of 80.7 kWh.

The electric motor located on the rear axle is similar to that found in other versions of the i4 and in the impressive SUV iX . It develops here 210 kW (285 hp) and delivers 400 Nm of maximum torque. Enough data for the eDrive35 to go from 0 to 100 km/h in 6 seconds.

A smaller battery logically implies less autonomy. Even so, BMW calculates that in the WLTP cycle, the  i4 eDrive35 achieves 490 km of range . In terms of charging, the i4 continues to  support fast charging of 180 kW  in DC and AC (domestic) up to 11 kW.

BMW calculates that at a 180kW charging station it could be charged from 10% to 80% in around 32 minutes. And he adds that 10 minutes of recharging would be equivalent to 160 km of autonomy.

For context, recall that the rear-wheel-drive eDrive40 offers 340 hp and 589 km of WLTP range, while the 544 hp all-wheel-drive M50 has a 520 km WLTP range.

The standard and optional equipment of the eDrive35 is still unknown. BMW merely points out that it is equipped with the same BMW curved screen (which merges the 12.3 and 14.9-inch screens) and the iDrive 8 infotainment system as the rest of the models in the i4 range.

As for the price, it remains a mystery for the moment. Knowing that the 340 hp eDrive40 starts at 61,900 euros and the 544 hp M50 at 76,500 euros, the i4 eDrive35 should cost between 50,000 and 55,000 euros.

BMW will start manufacturing the eDrive35 in the fourth quarter of 2022 in Munich, Germany, so the commercial launch will not take place until at least the fall and the first deliveries will be made throughout 2023.