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The all-new five-door, five-passenger BMW i4 is right-sized for fans of the marque, similar in overall length and wheelbase to its 3 Series stablemates. Both i4 variants utilize BMW’s fifth-generation eDrive technology, which combines an 83.9 kWh lithium-ion battery pack with either a single electrically-excited synchronous motor on the rear axle (in eDrive 40) or motors front and rear (in M50). BMW expects up to 300 miles of driving range in the single motor i4 and an estimated 245 miles in the M50.

Taking its Ultimate Driving Machine strategy a step further, the all-wheel-drive i4 M50 – the first fully electric performance model from BMW’s M Group – ups the 335 horsepower of the standard i4 eDrive40 to a combined 536 horsepower. In addition, special attention is paid to chassis tuning and powertrain responsiveness in the M50 so it delivers the level of driving engagement expected from a BMW with the M badge.

The i4’s combined charging unit accepts either home-based AC power, at a rate of up to 11 kW, or up to 200 kW of DC power at a fast-charging station. BMW has partnered with EVgo to provide i4 owners access to EVgo and partner charging network stations. The partnership includes $100 in EVgo charging credit for buyers and lessees of qualifying BMW electric vehicles.  

Helping to boost the i4 models’ efficiency are their adaptive energy recuperation systems, which use data from the navigation and driver-assistance systems to vary the intensity of brake energy recuperation. The driver may also select high, medium, or low brake energy recuperation via the iDrive menu. Putting the gear selector in drive mode B provides enough regen for one-pedal driving with little or no use of the brakes, depending on driving habits and current driving conditions.  

The i4’s handling dynamics benefit from the battery pack’s location in the floor, which lowers its center of gravity below that of a 3 Series sedan. Both models are equipped with a rear air suspension using a self-leveling and lift-related shock system that controls damping force based on spring travel. An adaptive M suspension, optional on the eDrive 40 and standard on the M40, enables the driver to adjust shock settings electronically at each wheel.

Inside the i4, the BMW Curved Display puts the 12.3-inch driver information display and 14.9-inch control display behind a single piece of glass. Features in BMW’s new iDrive 8 system can be operated via the Curved Display or by voice commands. Among them is the new Cloud-based BMW Maps navigation system, which combines real-time information with forecasting models to improve navigation accuracy. Both Apple Car Play and Android Auto are programmed into the i4.

There are more than 40 driver assistance systems available for the i4 as either standard or optional equipment, including some Level 2 automated driving functions such as speed limit assist and route guidance when the optional active cruise control is engaged. Collision warning, pedestrian warning, and lane departure warning are all standard. Cross-traffic warnings, blind-spot detection, and rear-collision prevention are part of the optional driving assistant system. Optional parking assistant will control the i4 when entering or exiting parallel or perpendicular parking spaces, while its back-up assistant offers automatic reversing for up to 50 yards. A Driving Assistance Professional system utilizes three front cameras, one front-facing radar sensor ,and four side-facing radar sensors “to build a detailed picture of the car’s surroundings,” says BMW. That data is used for such functions as active navigation, steering and lane control assistant, lane-keeping assistant, emergency stop assistant, and evasion assistant.

The BMW i4 eDrive40 can be preordered now starting at $56,395 with the performance-oriented i4 M50 coming in at $66,895. Availability here in the States is spring 2022, according to BMW.

2017-bmw-330e-lead-a1-1BMW’s 330e iPerformance sedan adds yet another level of refinement to this automaker’s popular 3 Series along with a healthy dose of environmental acumen. The 330e plug-in hybrid combines a 184 horsepower TwinPower Turbo four-cylinder with a 76 horsepower electric motor to not only enable all-electric driving, but also some pumped-up performance. The combination delivers a total 252 horsepower and 310 lb-ft peak torque for short bursts to provide the kind of performance expected of a larger engine. Even though batteries make the 330e about 500 pounds heavier than the 320i, it accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.1 seconds compared to the conventionally powered 320i’s 7.3 second sprint. Power is delivered to the rear wheels via an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission.

The 330e’s 7.6 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery is located beneath the trunk floor to minimize impact on trunk capacity. Positioning batteries here also results in an ideal 50/50 front-to-rear weight ratio. Charging the batteries is handled via a chargeport located on the driver’s side front fender. Here, An LED light ring provides information regarding charge status. Charging takes about two to three hours when connected to an optional 240-volt BMW i Wallbox charger at home or to a public Level II charger. Alternatively, the 330e can be plugged into a standard 120-volt wall socket to charge up in less than seven hours.

2017-bmw-330e-plug-in-port-1Multiple driver-selectable settings enable tailoring the 330’s responsiveness and efficiency. A Driving Experience Control on the center console offers Sport, Comfort, and Eco Pro modes, while an eDrive button also allows for three modes for electric driving including Auto eDrive, Max eDrive, and Save Battery. Depending on setting, the 330e can determine the most fuel efficient combination of electric motor and engine power under specific driving conditions, moderate acceleration to conserve energy during low battery periods, or enable all electric driving. When battery power drops below 50 percent, Save Battery foregoes electric power and maintains battery charge while allowing the battery to be charged by the engine. This enables pure electric driving later, for example, in urban areas where zero-emissions are preferred or mandated.

BMW’s 3 Series is an ideal platform for the addition of plug-in hybrid power since this is the brand’s most successful model line, representing about a quarter of the automaker’s worldwide vehicle sales with over 14 million sales globally. The 330e carries on where the standard 3 Series leaves off, adding electrification to a stylish and well-equipped model featuring a driver-centered and accommodating cabin and handsome design.

2017-bmw-330e-cabin-1Of course, the 330e iPerformance is also replete with desired standard and optional on-board electronics. Among these are Forward Collision Warning, City Collision Mitigation, Pedestrian Warning, Lane Departure Warning, and a Driving Assistant system that identifies speed limits and no-passing zone information.

The 2017 BMW 330e is EPA rated at 30 combined mpg and 71 MPGe when driving on battery power, with an all-electric driving range of 12 miles and overall range of 350 miles. It has an MSRP of $44,795 that includes destination and handling.

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