BMW i4, is it a Tesla 3 rival? Can the i4 tow? Maximum towing capacity - need a BMW i4 towbar?

BMW i4, is it a Tesla 3 rival?  Can the i4 tow? Maximum towing capacity - need a BMW i4 towbar?

The all-electric BMW i4 is an important pillar of BMW’s expanding EV portfolio. It offers the style of the 4-series Grand Coupe with a battery powertrain and highly refined road manners. Compared to the 4 Series Gran Coupe, it’s 6mm taller and sits 15mm closer to the road – but remains mostly the same.

The i4 feeds electrons to either one or two electric motors, depending on the model. The eDrive40 features a single motor on the rear axle that makes 335 horsepower. The M50 has an electric motor on both axles, which together provide all-wheel drive and produce 536 horsepower. Air suspension is standard on all models, with the M50’s all-wheel-drive setup and its adaptive M dampers providing keener drivers with greater stability on the limit.

The standard i4 sprints from 0-100 in 5.7 seconds, and the M50 takes only 3.9 secs.

Both i4 models use a sizeable 83.9kWh lithium-ion battery pack that BMW has somehow managed to shoehorn under the floor. Not that you can tell it’s packing such impressive electric tech from the outside – aside from a solid plastic grille, aerodynamic alloy wheels and a smattering of blue highlights, there isn’t much to mark out the i4 as an EV.
The driving range is up to 520km for the i4 eDrive40 and 465km for the high-performance i4 M50.
The i4 can charge at up to 200kW (faster than a Polestar 2’s maximum rate of 150kW and just fractionally behind a Model 3 Performance’s 250kW), allowing you to charge the battery from 10-80% in just over 30 minutes.

The M50 version is distinguished by performance-inspired design cues similar to BMW’s ICE performance cars, including extra air intakes for the brakes, a subtle rear spoiler and what BMW calls ‘exhaust tailpipes'.

The i4 also benefits from the impressive build quality derived from the 4 Series. Every surface you touch feels upmarket and it all feels beautifully joined together. 

The i4 is one of the first BMWs to feature the company's latest infotainment system and connectivity features. Called iDrive 8, it operates through a 14.9-inch touchscreen that's integrated with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel on a huge curved display on the dashboard. Along with a rotary controller on the centre console, the system offers advanced voice commands and myriad popular features. These include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and a Wi-Fi hotspot.  The curvature looks amazing, the graphics are pin-sharp, the central screen is lightning quick to respond to inputs and the menus are logically laid out.
BMW gives you the option of operating the central display using a rotary controller between the front seats because it's much less distracting on the move than the touchscreen-only interface available with the competitors.

You’ll be happy to hear that it’s quite spacious in the boot, with the hatchback tailgate opening up to provide a roomy load space. The rear seats fold down to reveal a flat floor, too. Need to carry more or take your bikes along on the next weekend trip?   Why not fit an i4 towbar, BMW has rated the i4 with a massive, for an EV maximum of 1600kgs. 

The BMW i4 is fast, comfortable and extremely hushed at high speeds. Factor in a decent range, a great infotainment system and a plush interior and it's a compelling alternative to a Tesla Model 3.

Need an i4 towbar - we have you covered.  Order your BMW i4 Invisible towbar today.