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All-electric BMW i4 and iX3 now for sale in South Africa

The all-electric BMW i4 M50 Gran Coupe and iX3 SUV have launched in South Africa ushering in the next step for the brand, which is 50% of its global sales to consist of electric vehicles (EV) by 2030.

The i4 is touted as being in a segment of its own as there is no other EV currently on the market that offers rivaling levels of performance and practicality in one package, said the manufacturer.

The iX3, on the other hand, is an electric version of one of BMW’s best-selling models being a more environmentally-friendly alternative to the likes of the turbo-diesel X3 xDrive30d.

Both these battery-powered vehicles are sold in one specification with one motor option, and they are equipped with the automaker’s most advanced features as standard thanks to their futuristic underpinnings.

i4 specs

The new i4 M50 is based on the 4 Series Gran Coupe offering a spacious cabin, four doors, and a boot with 470 litres of cargo space, up to a maximum of 1,290 litres.

The cabin also boasts the brand’s new design language, featuring a large curved display on the dash grouping together a 12.3-inch driver’s display and a 14.9-inch media system.

This runs on the latest iDrive 8 operating system and brings heaps of functionality such as remote software updates, online navigation, real-time traffic information, a digital personal assistant, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

In addition, owners are treated to three-zone climate control, leather upholstery, automatic LED headlights, rain-sensing wipers, seat heating and ventilation, steering wheel heating, a sunroof, ambient lighting, Harman Kardon surround sound, 5G connectivity, and “40 assistance functions as standard” including active cruise control with automatic speed limit assist, 360-degree cameras, route monitoring, and steering and lane control assist.

BMW has also gone all out with the styling as the i4 is, after all, the “first EV with an M badge”.

This Gran Coupe brings the typical dynamic look the brand is known for thanks to the M Sport styling package, blanked-off kidney grille, model-specific 18-inch alloys, and a 125mm ground clearance resulting in a centre of gravity that is 37mm lower than that of the 3 Series sedan.

This makes it one of the “slipperiest” models in BMW’s stable of M cars with a drag coefficient of 0.24 – far below the high-performance M4’s 0.34.

In the performance department, the i4 M50 is equally as capable as the rear-wheel-drive M4 too, sending 400kW and 795Nm to all four wheels resulting in a 0-100km/h time of 3.9 seconds.

Top speed for the sporty EV is listed at 225km/h, and the maximum driving range comes in at 510km while consuming charge at a rate of 18.5-18.9 kWh/100km.

The impressive figures are attained through the use of a 110mm thick, 83.9kWh battery connected to 230kW rear-axle and 195kW front-axle motors.

With an incoming DC current of 200kW, it then gains 140km of range in 10 minutes. However, with an 11kW wall charger like what you would normally have in your home, the BMW sees 100km added every one hour and 36 minutes.

On a standard 2.3kW socket, it takes eight hours and seven minutes to build up 100km of range.

The charging times from 0-100% will vary, said the manufacturer, and is affected by multiple factors such as ambient temperatures, whether it’s using single or triple-phase power, and the type of plug – to name a few.

Through its multiple levels of brake energy recuperation – whereby it recovers kinetic energy that would otherwise be lost through engine braking – the BMW is also capable of a maximum recuperation power of 195kW.

The driving experience is further enhanced by Sport, Sport Boost, and Sport Individual settings, as well as the IconicSounds pack that aims to bring an auditory experience akin to that of powerful petrol-driven vehicles.

iX3 specs

The iX3 aims to appeal to more eco-conscious buyers who are after the traditional SUV feel rather than the futuristic qualities that EVs tend to bring.

It’s still well appointed, though, and buyers can expect model-exclusive i-Blue accents, a 12.3-inch instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch central control display, Sports seats wrapped in Vernasca leather, dark “Aluminium Rhombicle” trim finishes, automatic tailgate operation, a panoramic glass roof, electrically-adjustable seats, and three-zone automatic climate control with pre-heating and pre-conditioning functions.

A wide selection of driver aids also comes at no additional cost including the driving assistant professional with steering and lane control assistant, active cruise control with stop and go, speed limit assist, route monitoring, and the parking assistant with a reverse camera.

The iX3 M Sport is no slouch, either, conquering 100km/h in 6.8 seconds and going on to a maximum of 180km/h.

It sees an 80kWh battery that achieves up to 460km of drive time, mated to a rear-mounted motor generating 210kW and 400Nm making this SUV the only rear-wheel-drive electric BMW that is currently being sold in South Africa.

However, the iX3 only supports up to a 150kW incoming current which provides it with 100km of additional range after 10 minutes on a plug.

Price

The South African pricing for the new BMW EVs is as follows:

Each vehicle is accompanied by a 5-year/100,000km BMW Motorplan and an 8-year/160,000km battery warranty.

“The BMW i4 model in South Africa is supplied complete with the BMW Charging Card, a Flexible Fast Charger for charging at up to 11kW, and a mode-2 charging cable,” said BMW South Africa.


BMW i4 M50


BMW iX3 M Sport


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