What is it?
The G26 LCI i4 is the facelifted electric 4 Series Gran Coupe, built on BMW's CLAR architecture as a five-door fastback. All three variants share the 81.2 kWh usable battery. eDrive40 RWD opens the range with 600 km WLTP, M50 xDrive adds a front motor for 400 kW, and the new M60 xDrive flagship pushes that to 449 kW with a 3.7 second 0 to 100 km/h.
The lineup runs from eDrive40 at $87,800 plus on-roads, through to M60 xDrive at $139,900 plus on-roads. Warranty cover sits at 5 years, unlimited km.
Interior and Technology
600 km WLTP on the eDrive40, hatch-style tailgate practicality the Model 3 cannot match, and the new M60 xDrive cracks 3.7 seconds for under $140k plus on-roads. BMW retains physical climate controls and an iDrive knob after the LCI.
205 kW peak DC charging trails 800V Korean and Porsche rivals. Rear seat headroom is tight under the coupe roofline. Options list adds up fast on M50 and M60 variants.
Should you buy the i4?
Reasons to buy
- 600 km WLTP on the eDrive40, hatch-style tailgate practicality the Model 3 cannot match, and the new M60 xDrive cracks 3.7 seconds for under $140k plus on-roads. BMW retains physical climate controls and an iDrive knob after the LCI.
- Warranty: 5 years, unlimited km. EV battery: 8 years, 160,000 km.
- 5-star ANCAP (2022), full driver-assist suite.
- 470 L (1,290 L seats down) boot, segment-competitive cargo space.
Reasons to wait
- 205 kW peak DC charging trails 800V Korean and Porsche rivals. Rear seat headroom is tight under the coupe roofline. Options list adds up fast on M50 and M60 variants.
- You need 800V DC charging (Hyundai Ioniq 6, Porsche Taycan), more rear headroom than a coupe roofline allows, or a price under $80k (Tesla Model 3).
- Confirm DC charging coverage on your typical routes. BMW Charging public network coverage in Australia is patchier than Tesla Supercharger.
- Top trim climbs to $139,900 plus on-roads.
CarTell.tv review of the BMW i4 is coming. Subscribe on YouTube and you will be first to see it.
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