Photo: SH Proshots
Consistent with the industry habit of refreshing an existing model roughly three years after the launch, BMW is already testing the facelifted i4. The first prototype snapped by our photographers showcases the new headlights, together with the redesigned front and rear bumpers. The humongous kidney grille is here to stay, apparently.
The BMW 4 Series is already preparing for the mid-life refresh, or Life Cycle Impulse (LCI), as BMW likes to call it. Since the prototypes of the ICE variants have already made their camera debut, it was only a matter of time before the all-electric BMW i4 was caught in the spotlight. The electric four-door coupe prototype in the gallery shows the same characteristics as its gas-sipping brothers. This means that the most significant design change affects the headlights, with the front and rear bumpers playing along.
These are, in fact, the areas that BMW covered in camouflage tape. Our photographers were able to shoot some close-ups of the i4 prototype, revealing what's hiding beneath the psychedelic vinyl. This is why we can confidently say the upcoming i4 does not hide any monumental design changes. The headlights and taillights feature a new design, notably the arrow-shaped DRLs in the front. This makes for an aggressive light signature for the electric Bimmer.
Sadly, the gigantic kidney grille is not going anywhere, at least for this generation. BMW enraged everyone when it presented the 4 Series design with the most ridiculous grille in the automotive industry. The BMW i4 also inherited the controversial grille, although BMW backtracked on this with later models. Most notably, the 5 Series and the i5 have reverted to a reasonably-sized grille, which many appreciated.
Based on the air vents behind the front wheels, we're looking at the sportiest i4, the M50, even though BMW hid the M badge on the front fenders. The current i4 M50 model features two electric motors with a combined 536 horsepower. It is not shy in sprinting from 0 to 60 mph (97 kph) in 3.7 seconds and can reach a top speed of 130 mph (209 kph).
BMW will likely tweak the drivetrain components, if not for better performance, at least to squeeze more range out of the 82-kWh battery pack. Thanks to chemistry and/or packaging improvements, it could also provide a bigger-capacity battery. Currently, the i4 M50 offers a range of 227 miles (365 km), while the xDrive40 can go as far as 307 miles (494 km) on a charge.
There won't be significant interior updates besides the usual material and trim changes. The refreshed i4 is expected to feature the new iDrive 8.5 operating system, which means the hardware is unchanged. The BMW i4 LCI production is slated to start in July 2024 and start deliveries next fall as a 2025 model.
These are, in fact, the areas that BMW covered in camouflage tape. Our photographers were able to shoot some close-ups of the i4 prototype, revealing what's hiding beneath the psychedelic vinyl. This is why we can confidently say the upcoming i4 does not hide any monumental design changes. The headlights and taillights feature a new design, notably the arrow-shaped DRLs in the front. This makes for an aggressive light signature for the electric Bimmer.
Sadly, the gigantic kidney grille is not going anywhere, at least for this generation. BMW enraged everyone when it presented the 4 Series design with the most ridiculous grille in the automotive industry. The BMW i4 also inherited the controversial grille, although BMW backtracked on this with later models. Most notably, the 5 Series and the i5 have reverted to a reasonably-sized grille, which many appreciated.
Based on the air vents behind the front wheels, we're looking at the sportiest i4, the M50, even though BMW hid the M badge on the front fenders. The current i4 M50 model features two electric motors with a combined 536 horsepower. It is not shy in sprinting from 0 to 60 mph (97 kph) in 3.7 seconds and can reach a top speed of 130 mph (209 kph).
BMW will likely tweak the drivetrain components, if not for better performance, at least to squeeze more range out of the 82-kWh battery pack. Thanks to chemistry and/or packaging improvements, it could also provide a bigger-capacity battery. Currently, the i4 M50 offers a range of 227 miles (365 km), while the xDrive40 can go as far as 307 miles (494 km) on a charge.
There won't be significant interior updates besides the usual material and trim changes. The refreshed i4 is expected to feature the new iDrive 8.5 operating system, which means the hardware is unchanged. The BMW i4 LCI production is slated to start in July 2024 and start deliveries next fall as a 2025 model.
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