As widely expected, BMW has confirmed the new i4 is simply an all-electric version of the upcoming 4 Series Gran Coupe.

    Revealed overnight at the company’s annual media conference, BMW has released preliminary details about the i4’s drivetrain options.

    More about the car will be announced “over the next weeks”, and the i4 will become available globally “during the course of 2021”.

    With its largest battery and most efficient drivetrain combination, the i4 will have a range of 590km under WLTP testing, or 480km using US EPA guidelines.

    The most powerful drivetrain will have a total power output of 390kW, and allow the i4 to sprint from 0-100km/h in around four seconds. Cars featuring this setup will be given M Performance branding.

    For context, the M3 Competition sedan has a 375kW 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six, and is capable of a 0-100km/h dash in 3.9 seconds.

    Exterior styling differences between the i4 and 4 Series Gran Coupe will likely be restricted to different bumper treatments, and alloy wheel designs.

    Like other 4 Series models, the i4 has a tall double-kidney grille, even though the top and middle sections are completely closed off.

    As is BMW’s custom, the i4 features plenty of blue trim to highlight its pure electric drivetrain.

    While BMW has yet to publish any photos of the i4’s interior, we know it will be fitted with the new iDrive 8 infotainment system, which was unveiled earlier this week.

    MORE: BMW 4 Series news, reviews and videos

    Derek Fung

    Derek Fung would love to tell you about his multiple degrees, but he's too busy writing up some news right now. In his spare time Derek loves chasing automotive rabbits down the hole. Based in New York, New York, Derek loves to travel and is very much a window not an aisle person.

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