During a conference call earlier today, between some BMW executives and select members of the media (of which we were a part of), Frank Weber, board member in charge of BMW R&D, announced that the BMW i4 will debut in just two days time, on March 17. The news came as a bit of a surprise, as we weren’t expecting such short notice. Still, we’re excited nevertheless.

When the BMW i4 is officially revealed on Wednesday, it’s going to be the brand’s first all-electric sports car in history. The BMW i3 was a compact city car, the i8 wasn’t even all-electric, and the upcoming iX is a luxury SUV. None of those cars are what you’d expect from BMW. So it’s refreshing to finally see BMW developing a proper all-electric sport sedan, one that can compete with cars like the Tesla Model 3 Performance and Audi e-tron GT.

The upcoming i4 will be based on the upcoming 4 Series Gran Coupe, so seeing it in a couple of days will also be our first look at the new body style. It’s also said to have over 500 horsepower in its top-spec, from dual electric motors and all-wheel drive, while also having over 300 miles of range. With those specs, the BMW i4 will absolutely be able to compete with the Model 3 Performance on the road, though we are worried a bit about its price tag.

We can’t wait until Wednesday, now. We’re all finally going to see what BMW’s been working on in response to Tesla and whether or not BMW has deliver a competitive electric package.

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This fifth-generation tech for the BMW i4 brings out new electric motors, power electronics, charging tech and high-voltage batteries. The electric motor, for example, will be able to deliver up to 530 HP according to BMW, as much as the 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 on M50i models today.

The Bavarians are also claiming their products are extremely efficient while the design and packaging of the batteries will allow the company to fit it in extremely tight spaces, due to its compact size and high energy density, storing 80 kWh in a total weight of 550 kilos.

When it debuts, the BMW i4 will have a maximum range of around 373 miles (600 km), on the WLTP cycle. The EPA rating should be lower.

BMW also offered some performance specs of the i4: the new 4-door coupe will do 62 mph from standstill in 4 seconds flat, and go up to a top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph).

What BMW has left out of their press release was the actual drivetrain in the car. For now, BMW i4 seems to include only a rear-wheel drive architecture, but we strongly believe that an AWD (all-wheel drive) setup will come as well.

Recently, some evidence showed up online pointing to two different drivetrain. We weren’t able to verify these with a second source, but here they are nonetheless.

First is the HA0001N0 which, allegedly, marks a rear-wheel drive setup. The second one is the XE2A02N0 with an all-wheel drive setup. It’s unclear what battery packs will be available, but it’s also likely that at least two options will be available.

Supercar Blondie spends time with the BMW i4 Concept – VIDEO

It’s a similar approach as other automakers have put in play.

Now there is a remote possibility that a single motor could provide an AWD setup, but the engineering behind that drivetrain would be a bit more complicated.

BMW is being quiet on this topic, for now, but we expect to learn more by late May 2020.

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The BMW i4 Concept is just that — a concept. While the Model 3 is a full production car. So comparing their styling might be a fool’s errand. However, the i4 Concept is said to be incredibly close to production-ready, so the final production car will look very similar to the Concept we’re looking at now. With that said, we can start comparing the cars’ styling a bit.

It’s clear which of these two cars is the more interesting, exciting looking car — the BMW i4 Concept. I’m not saying it’s necessarily better looking, as it’s certainly quite funky. However, it’s the more interesting looking car for sure. The Tesla Model 3 has always had more of a simple, vanilla design. In fact, the most interesting part of its design is on top of the car, where you can’t see it; its glass roof. Aside from that, it’s about as bland as cars get. I’m also not saying the Model 3 is bad looking because it isn’t. It’s just boring.

In that regard, these two cars are the antithesis of each other. The Model 3 is just a bar of soap while the BMW i4 Concept is heavily sculpted, has muscular haunches and big, bold features. The i4 Concept has those two monster grilles while the Model 3 lacks a grille altogether.

On the inside, that same sentiment remains. The Model 3 doesn’t have a bad looking interior because it doesn’t really have much of an interior to speak of. There’s a giant screen, a steering wheel and some seats. That’s about it. At the same time, the BMW i4 Concept looks more futuristics and premium.

If we had to choose, based purely on style, we’d go for the BMW i4 Concept. It’s an insane looking car, the i4, but I’d take insane over completely lifeless any day. Again, the Model 3 isn’t a bad looking car; there’s nothing objectively wrong with it; it’s just not that exciting overall.

Of course, the real comparison comes from a test drive so we’re hoping to do that sometimes next year.

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With the BMW i4, some of us will be more inclined to go the adventurous or flashy route, considering it’s such a polarizing vehicle. Thanks to that massive kidney grille.

To see what the BMW Concept i4 looks like in different exterior colors, we asked Nahlem of g20.bimmerpost to give us permission to post some images of the i4. The color choices are Austin Yellow, Sapphire Black, Alpine White, a silver and another black. There is, of course, also the option of the frozen light copper color introduced on the concept i4.

Out of all the images posted here, it’s fair to assume that black, white and silver will be the most popular. But we’re fairly confident that BMW will offer some wild colors as well.

The BMW i4 Concept may be just that, a concept car, but it’s extremely close to production-ready, from what we’re told. So the car you’re seeing in pictures right now will be extremely similar to the car you’ll see on auto show stands and, eventually, on the road. Just, with road-legal headlights, mirrors and some windshield wipers.

Powering the BMW i4 Concept is the brand’s latest fifth-generation eDrive powertrain, which consists of the electric motor, power electronics and charge unit, all in one. In the i4, this eDrive powertrain will create a whopping 530 hp and help it reach 60 mph in four seconds flat, all while netting a maximum 373 miles on the WLTP cycle.

The battery pack is an 80 kWh unit and is supposedly comprised of very thin batteries, allowing it to be stored extra low in the belly of the car, further reducing its center of gravity while also increasing interior space. It weighs roughly 550 kilograms

The electric motor developed for the BMW i4 generates maximum output of up to 390 kW/530 hp.

Its monster power and performance will make it exciting in a straight line but BMW also insists that the i4 will be a thrilling car to drive, laterally, as well.

So what’s your favorite color on the BMW i4?

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So because both of these cars are so similar, we thought we’d do a photo comparison to see which one is better looking. That’s about all we can compare, though, as Audi hasn’t really released any info on the e-tron GT, aside from really early conceptual specs. So we’ll just stick with the designs for now.

Both cars are said to be very production-ready. So while each concept’s production-car version will obviously look far more normal, we can expect each production car to look a lot like its concept.

From the front, the BMW i4 Concept is far bolder and brasher than the Audi. Both have enormous “grilles” and sharp headlights but the e-tron GT is sleeker and a bit more subtle, if that’s possible. Personally, I prefer the Audi’s face to the Bimmers, but looks are subjective and both are very bold so I won’t declare one face better than the other just yet.

Out back, I think the Audi e-tron GT is also better looking. I like the the i4 Concept’s dual diffusers but the taillights just don’t do it for me and the back end of the BimmerWhere the BMW i4 Concept certainly takes a victory is inside. While the interior of the Audi e-tron GT is very cool, with a slick, high-tech vibe, the i4 is far more interesting and creative. Its white/light grey/bronze color scheme icy-cool and its monster instrument panels look very futuristic.

The e-tron GT looks modern on the inside but the i4 Concept looks downright sci-fi. seems a bit blah. While the rear light bar and taillights of the Audi looks really slick and futuristic. The way the e-tron’s C-pillar blends into the trunk and rear quarter panel also looks a bit better and is more pronounced.

In profile, both are really good looking cars, with long, muscular styling. They’re each a bit different, though, with the e-tron GT looking a bit longer and a bit sleeker and the BMW i4 Concept looking a bit more muscular and athletic. So it’s a bit of a toss-up and I can understand arguments for each.

Overall, I think if I had to choose between the two I’d go for the Audi e-tron GT, mostly because I like its front end better. I love the i4 Concept’s profile and interior but the e-tron looks great in those regards as well and its face and butt are nicer. So if it were my money, it’d be on the Audi.

However, I can’t wait to see both production cars and revisit this comparison.

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The Design

The BMW i4 Concept may be just that, a concept car, but it’s extremely close to production-ready, from what we’re told. So the car you’re seeing in pictures right now will be extremely similar to the car you’ll see on auto show stands and, eventually, on the road. Just, with road-legal headlights, mirrors and some windshield wipers.

Which is a very good thing, as it’s the perfect blend of present and future. The design is radical yet attractive and exciting yet familiar. Sure, its monster kidney grilles are going to cause some controversy but we’ll all get used to it and it actually sort of works on an electric car, despite the irony.

Big Kidneys Are Here To Stay

What’s interesting is that those enormous grilles do actually serve a purpose. Rather than be used to bring air into an engine, as the BMW Concept i4 obviously has no engine, the signature kidneys have become what BMW calls “Intelligence Panels”. So they now house a variety of sensors, which is actually quite clever. The headlights also dance on a line between old and new, as they still retain the same four-eyed design but in a much sleeker, more vertical layout.

Out back, the BMW Concept i4 gets quite plain looking taillights but they get balanced out by two massive diffusers, one on either side of the rear end. Those rear diffusers are trimmed in blue, as are the grilles and side skirts, to signify its BMW i heritage.

One little design touch that might go overlooked to some is its door handles. For the first time in a very long time, BMW has ditched extruding, outward door handles, in favor of flush ones that pull upward.

Overall, the BMW i4 Concept is an interesting looking car. Its proportions are spot-on, with a long nose, an aggressive roofline, muscular rear haunches and short overhangs.

Sleek And Minimalistic On The Inside

Thankfully, there’s little to complain about inside the BMW Concept i4. When the BMW i3 debuted back in 2014, it had one of the most unique and interesting interiors of any car ever made. The BMW Concept i4 seems to be following that trend. Its cabin is rich with white leather and fabric, golden-bronze accents and tons of technology.

That spindly steering wheel is gorgeous and the seats look both supportive and minimalist. The dual screen layout is similar to that of a Mercedes-Benz, except for the fact that the screens are angled toward the driver, like a proper BMW.

Those screens, along with the interior’s plentiful ambient lighting, change colors depending on the car’s drive mode. There are three different drive modes for the BMW i4 Concept; Core, Sport and Efficient.

The ambient lighting and screen graphics will change, based on said modes. For instance, the digital gauges, which BMW now (painfully) calls “Widgets” will change from Core to Sport to Efficient, giving the driver the exact sort of information needed.

Engine And Driving Range

What’s even less controversial is what’s under the skin. Powering the BMW i4 Concept is the brand’s latest fifth-generation eDrive powertrain, which consists of the electric motor, power electronics and charge unit, all in one. In the i4, this eDrive powertrain will create a whopping 530 hp and help it reach 60 mph in four seconds flat, all while netting a maximum 373 miles on the WLTP cycle.

The battery pack is an 80 kWh unit and is supposedly comprised of very thin batteries, allowing it to be stored extra low in the belly of the car, further reducing its center of gravity while also increasing interior space. It weighs roughly 550 kilograms

The electric motor developed for the BMW i4 generates maximum output of up to 390 kW/530 hp.

Its monster power and performance will make it exciting in a straight line but BMW also insists that the i4 will be a thrilling car to drive, laterally, as well. So it’s said to handle and feel like a proper sports car, just one without an internal combustion engine.

Speaking of its lack of internal combustion, BMW also wants the i4 to sound exciting. So it’s been given an audible soundtrack by Hans Zimmer, the famous composer. Zimmer has created a sound, for both interior passengers and outside pedestrians, that will give the BMW i4 Concept, and presumably the production car, a unique and exciting experience.

It’s called BMW IconicSounds and, aside from press release jargon, we really have no idea what it’s going to sound like. Still, I think it’s a good idea to give it an exciting sound, even if it is synthetic, as it will make driving an electric car more fun.

The BMW IconicSounds will also change based on driving mode, from Core to Sport to Efficient, giving it a different feel depending on which mode you’re in. It will also make certain sounds when the doors are opened and the car is started. So you won’t miss the theater of starting a 530 hp sport sedan. Very good.

When Will It Be Available?

Production of the BMW i4 will start in 2021, but most of the markets, including the U.S., will get the car in 2022.

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It’s a courtesy the BMW provides journalists, so long as said journalists adhere to the embargo agreement. However, sometimes certain publications decide to leak those photos early, or simply make mistakes in readying articles, and photos get leaked.

pic.twitter.com/irRVWFslbs

— Leo (@ducati1299sss) March 2, 2020

The BMW Concept i4 leaked photos reveal a front end which is very much what we expected, after seeing the BMW Concept 4 from awhile back. It’s very bold and very aggressive, thanks to its enormous grilles and angular headlights.

Its profile is very pretty and well proportioned, with a nice interpretation of the brand’s famous Hofmeister Kink. It also sports some muscular rear haunches and nice short overhangs, so it looks quite sporty and athletic.

Out back, it’s on par for the course with BMW Concepts. It sports massive rear diffusers at either side of the rear end, rather than one continuous diffuser, which is unusual but interesting looking.

Inside, the BMW Concept i4 sports a light grey/white/bronze color scheme on the inside that looks very futuristic. It’s also the most high-tech looking BMW cabin, with two massive screens on the dashboard, similar to those found on Mercedes-Benz products.

However, despite being one single housing, the screens seem to curve toward the driver, which is nice.

The full reveal is coming up so stay tuned for more info and photos!

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