BMW i4 eDrive40 test: what real autonomy for the i4 propulsion?

If they are reluctant to admit it, the historic manufacturers all dream of a specific commercial success: that of the Tesla Model 3, the car with the most registration in Europe in September 2021. The BMW i4 is its first real rival and plays on two tables: an exacerbated dynamism with the i4 M50 with two engines and 544 hp; an optimized range with the i4 eDrive40, which uses the same 80.7 kWh battery but is satisfied with a single 340 hp engine at the rear to optimize energy consumption.

With an autonomy announced at 593 km on the WLTP cycle, the BMW i4 eDrive40 almost reaches the value of the benchmark Tesla Model 3 Great Autonomy (approved at 614 km). However, it concerns the base i4, and can lose up to 100 km with certain optional equipment. Among the most penalizing: the “performance” tires (Pirelli P Zero) which cut 60 km of autonomy with 19-inch rims, or even 85 km with 20 inches! To think about before ordering …

Adorned with an M Sport finish (invoiced € 63,350 instead of € 59,700 in base, then losing the bonus of € 2,000), 19-inch wheels with Hankook tires (less fuel-consuming than the Pirelli) and a handful of optional equipment (increased front brakes, panoramic glass roof, Innovation pack, etc.), our test BMW i4 is very exactly approved for 563 km of range and 16.9 kWh per 100 km of average consumption. Interesting information as we begin our test route for electric cars. Route between Croissy-Beaubourg (Seine-et-Marne) and Reims (Haute-Marne), it is divided as follows: 110 km of motorway at 130 km / h real, then 140 km of secondary roads, expressways and crossings of fluid villages.

What autonomy on the motorway?

After recharging to 74% on a 50 kW fast terminal (see below in the dedicated chapter), our BMW i4 eDrive40 begins its portion of the A4 motorway at 130 km / h with GPS. That is 134 km / h on the odometer… or rather on the screen, the centerpiece of the i4 which has two large digital panels in a row. Compared to the 4 Series Gran Coupé (with thermal engines and more classic instrumentation), modernity wins even if, as often, the favorite functions must be placed in shorthand to avoid taking their eyes off the road for too long.

Ideal for cutting off the active lane departure warning more quickly at each start (our i4 does not have Drive Assist “Pro” at € 2,050 which permanently centers the car in its lane), or to select the different levels of regeneration deceleration (we will come back to this). Except on long descents or approaching tolls, little energy recovery on this route which rather highlights the aerodynamic finesse of the body and the appetite of the electromotor at stabilized speed. Two areas where the i4 seems to shine …

After 110 km of motorway, the electricity consumption of our “Gran Coupé” has stabilized at 24.4 kWh / 100 km, which would allow 330 km of autonomy with a full charge. A score very close to the benchmark Tesla Model 3 Grande Autonomie, which sipped 23.1 kWh / 100 km on the same course made at the same time (read our i4 vs Model 3 match). Regular motorway use is therefore possible in the BMW i4, which is also distinguished by its effective soundproofing: air and rolling noises are not invasive at 130 km / h, as is sometimes the case. case of an electric car where the absence of a mechanical “purring” amplifies the other sound sources.

Values ​​calculated according to the percentage of battery consumed (here 33%) and its useful capacity (80.7 kWh).

Let us close this first part by evoking the performance of the “small” i4, already superior to the majority of thermal sedans at the exit of the toll booth: with a 0 to 100 km / h shot in 5.7 s, this beautiful baby (2,125 kg advertised) fails only a small second from an M440i Gran Coupé! The ‘hyperspace’ side of the i4 M50 is not reached here but with its torque of 430 Nm available immediately, the i4 eDrive40 and its solid revivals never give the feeling of lacking power.

What autonomy on the road?

Electric BMW bonus

The famous Hankook low rolling resistance tires do not affect cornering grip, where the i4 shows balanced behavior or even, if you switch the anti-slip to Sport or Off mode, a little oversteer attitude when exiting. pin. This will not be enough to completely seduce the enthusiastic driving enthusiasts, frustrated by the artificial feeling of the steering and the brake pedal. To optimize consumption, it is better to keep a peaceful pace and anticipate slowdowns to recover as much energy as possible when decelerating. Here, four possibilities: the Auto mode, which modulates the regeneration according to the speed limits and the surrounding traffic (engine brake marked when entering a village or when approaching another user, almost freewheeling on a smooth to gentle road rhythm) ; Where the three regeneration levels

513 km

Values ​​calculated according to the percentage of battery consumed (here 27%) and its useful capacity (80.7 kWh).

In intermediate regeneration mode, the BMW i4 completed this road course with a consumption of 15.7 kWh per 100 km, or 513 km of range in these conditions. A value again close to the Tesla Model 3 Large Autonomy, whose 14.4 kWh recorded are however obtained with higher performance and two engines instead of one (all-wheel drive for the Model 3, single propulsion for the i4) .

Recharge BMW I4 Electric i4 socket To ship the battery gauge from 41% to 80% when we stopped at the Ionity terminal in Vrigny, we had to 20 minutes of connection billed only € 6(instead of € 15.80 without subscription). Affordable and fast, even if the maximum charging power of 205 kW has never been reached. After peaking at 170 kW during the first minute, the value quickly dropped: 115 kW at 50% load then 95 kW at 60%, 80 kW at 70%, and 58 kW at 78%. An ascending curve and necessary to preserve the lifespan of the batteries, and which would have fallen even more sharply beyond 80%. Too bad: it is precisely on long journeys that we aim for maximum autonomy (and therefore load), but this characteristic is common to

all electric models

.

More than a thermal car, an electric is appreciated when coupled with a mobile application. It allows, remotely, to start or stop its recharges (ideal for taking advantage of off-peak hours for example), to program its air conditioning or its heating (to consume less energy at start-up), to know the state of the battery or the location. car, etc. Very intuitive, the My BMW application adds the ability to plan a route, view the stops at charging stations and then send it instantly to the car’s navigation system. My BMW app It is also possible to know the real-time occupancy of certain stations (Ionity in particular) but not the power of the chargers, unlike the integrated navigation which provides information on their power but not their availability.

The reverse would have been more logical