BMW expands EV offerings with iX tech flagship and i4 sedan

BMW is expanding its full-electric car lineup with the iX SUV and i4 sedan as it accelerates its EV push to match Tesla.

The i4 is the brand’s first electric vehicle focused squarely on driving dynamics, BMW said in a statement.

It will have two model variants:

• The i4 M50, with 536 hp, all-wheel drive and a range of up to 510 km (317 miles) in the WLTP cycle. It is the first performance full-electric car from BMW's M performance subsidiary. Prices start at 69,900 euros in Germany.
• The i4 eDrive40 with 335 hp, rear-wheel drive and a range of up to 590 km (367 miles) in the WLTP cycle. It will start at 58,300 euros in Germany.

The i4 M50 will compete against EVs such as the Porsche Taycan and Audi e-tron GT, while the eDrive40 will challenge the Tesla Model 3.

The i4 is based on the 3 Series. It combines the comfort of a four-door car and the practicality of a large tailgate, BMW says.

Tech flagship

The iX is the brand's new technology flagship and offers the potential to add Level 3 automated driving functionality in the medium term, BMW said.

It will be launched with a choice of two model variants, both with all-wheel-drive.

• The iX xDrive50 has 516 hp and a range of up to 630 km (391 miles) in the WLTP cycle.
• The iX xDrive40 offers 296 hp and has a range of 425 km (264 miles).

Also set to join the model lineup at a later date is the iX M60 with a maximum output of more than 600 hp.

The iX's technology includes 5G cellular connection, advanced driver-assistance systems and 200-kilowatt fast charging capability.

Its on-board computer can process 20 times the data volume of previous models. That increase sets the iX up to achieve a higher level of automated driving when artificial intelligence needed to handle the task is ready to be deployed in customer vehicles.

The iX is designed for the social media generation. An overhead interior camera allows occupants to take snapshots during a journey. To ensure only pleasant memories are captured, the camera can be set to "only take a photo when at least one of the occupants is smiling," BMW said.

The iX and I4 models will go on sale in Europe in November and will arrive at U.S. dealerships in the first quarter of next year.

Both EVs will join the electric Mini, BMW i3 city car and the iX3 SUV that are already on sale.

BMW plans for about half of total sales to be fully electric by the end of the decade, the automaker said in March.