This i4 eDrive40 is a mouthful and should also be a handful when it arrives in Malaysia.
Its finally here and bookings are now open. You have a choice of exterior colours like Black Sapphire, Mineral White and Dravit Grey in its first selection, with additional exterior colours of Sanremo Green, M Portimao Blue and M Brooklyn Grey (which will replace Dravit Grey later in this year, we wonder why). Interior upholstering is available in Black, Mocha and Tacora Red Leather Vernasca.
If the asking price seems a little too much for your current budget, let us share this financial breakdown with you. With the Easy Drive Financing Plan from BMW Group Financial Services Malaysia, this all electric and all new BMW i4 eDrive40 M Sport can be in your garage or condo car park with a monthly instalment plan starting from RM4,306.00 (based on estimates of an 80 percent loan on a five-year tenure).
If you need a longer loan tenure, then ask yourself this question, ‘can you really afford this car and should you instead buy a Proton’.
In case you were not sure, yes, this is an all electric car which means there is NO petrol engine and you need to charge up its battery system to drive it. So, let us share some of the battery electric information with you.
This BMW comes with a classic rear-wheel drive layout which really is a must if you are a BMW fan. This BMW i4 eDrive40 M Sport combines a progressive design with superior aerodynamics, electrifying dynamic performance and comfort. Its current-excited synchronous motor generates a maximum output of 340 horsepower and a peak torque of 430 Nm, which allows for a century sprint time of just 5.7 seconds.
When fully charged using subsidized Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) power, the electric driving range is estimated at a generous 590 km based on the WLTP cycle. In between drives, the fifth-generation BMW eDrive system is compatible with the latest charging technology.
Its Combined Charging Unit (CCU) with built-in 4 kW voltage transformer has been designed to enable extremely flexible battery charging which is compatible with a domestic power socket or a BMW i Wallbox (an 11-kW AC charger fully charges the vehicle in just 8 hours 15 minutes), as well as DC fast chargers (a 200-kW DC charger charges the vehicle from 10 per cent to 80 per cent in just 31 minutes).
Meanwhile, the rest of this car is very similar to the current 5 Series. You get the M Aerodynamics exterior to enhance its sportiness to the next level. The front profile of this BMW i4 eDrive40 M Sport features the iconic BMW Laserlights (just like with the 5 Series) with Automatic High-beam Control.
From the side, 19-inch M Aerodynamic Wheels (just like with the 5 Series) 860 M Bicolour with staggered widths, M Sport brakes, as well as M High-gloss Shadow Line come together to complement the elegantly stretched proportions of the fully-electric car.
For the interior, the cabin of this BMW i4 eDrive40 M Sport is furnished with the Aluminium Rhombicle Anthracite Interior Trim, M Anthracite Headliner, M Leather Steering Wheel and an instrument panel in Sensatec.
Functional features for comfort include variable sports steering, electric seat adjuster with memory function, the Interior and Exterior Mirror Package, as well as automatic air conditioning. For added convenience, also included are automatic tailgate operation, comfort access system, through-load system, and the Storage Compartment Package.
Plus, just like in the 5 Series, there is the BMW Live Cockpit Professional, BMW ConnectedDrive Services, BMW Connected Package Professional I, Intelligent Emergency Call, Teleservices, Smartphone Integration, 17-speaker Harman Kardon surround system, as well as storage for wireless charging.
So, all you need to do is visit a BMW showroom and take a test drive, make sure the battery is charged!
