BMW Reveal i4 and iX Details | 18 Mar 2021
On today’s podcast:
- BMW i4 is a Proper Sports Saloon.
- BMW iX to launch in Germany for €77,300
- BMW Strategy
- MINI Brand Will Be All Electric
- S. Arrival Of The ID.4 EV
- MG5 Estate for Europe
Show #1025
Good morning, good afternoon and good evening wherever you are in the world, welcome to EV News Daily for Thursday 18th March. It’s Martyn Lee here and I go through every EV story so you don't have to.
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BMW I4 IS A PROPER SPORTS SALOON.
It's not a crossover! It's not an SUV! Hurray! It's competition for the Tesla Model 3 and the Polestar 2.
“The i4 uses the firm’s fifth-generation eDrive electric motors and will be powered by an 80kWh battery pack, mounted low in the car’s chassis. BMW says the system (battery and motors together) has been designed to be lightweight, tipping the scales at 550kg, allowing the i4 to sprint from 0-62mph in around four seconds and reach a top speed of “more than 124mph.” says AutoExpress: “The i4’s electric platform also features BMW’s latest charging tech, which, like the Audi e-tron, can support rapid charging at up to 150kW.“
Autoblog compares it to the concept version: "Yes, the colossal grille remains. It's controversial, but BMW told Autoblog it's standing by it. The long hood and the fastback-like roof line haven't changed. BMW chose not to release full technical specifications about the i4, noting only that the lineup will include several versions. The efficiency champ will be able to cover up to 300 miles on a charge, according to early estimates, while the quickest model will reach 60 mph from a stop in about four seconds thanks to a 530-horsepower drivetrain"
"Given the car’s layout, and the team who developed and is making it, we might reasonably assume this will be the best-driving electric car this side of a Porsche Taycan." wonders Top Gear rather optimistically: "[CEO Oliver] Zipse says it was “an easy decision” to bring out the i4 three months ahead of schedule. It goes on sale in Germany this autumn. Given how much it shares with the 4 Series, it’s also built on the same production line at the company’s historic Munich factory. That plant has particular significance as it’s right at the foot of the company’s headquarters tower. The heart of BMW, then."
Pistonheads.com seemed to have a more accurate range figure: "BMW has revealed a pre-production i4 and confirmed that the all-electric four-door will have up to 530hp and a range of up to 366 miles, according to WLTP. The i4 Gran Coupe will be launched later this year in both normal and M Performance variants, with the 530hp output almost certainly attributed to the latter."
The kidney grille is obviously blanked off, but it houses all the sensor suite. Both the RWD and AWD versions should handle well.
https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/i4
https://www.autoblog.com/2021/03/17/bmw-i4-ev-revealed/
https://www.topgear.com/car-news/electric/heres-your-first-look-production-bmw-i4
https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-ev/crucial-new-bmw-i4-revealed-in-final-format/43893
BMW IX TO LAUNCH IN GERMANY FOR €77,300
The BMW iX goes into full production at their Dingolfing plant in Germany later in 2021.
"BMW iX is the Bavarian automaker’s attempt to carve out as big a piece of the growing electric luxury SUV pie as it can. The iX is a ground-up model designed as a battery electric vehicle that features lots of new tech, including an all-new iDrive infotainment system, as well as the latest generation of BMW’s eDrive electric powertrain." says Motor1: " The manufacturer also confirmed that it will start accepting pre-orders in the US as of June 2021, and that the model’s US launch and start of deliveries is expected to take place early in 2022 with a starting price somewhere in the mid-$80,000 range."
"BMW has announced the German prices and technical specifications of the two versions of its iX electric SUV. The iX xDrive40 and iX xDrive50 variants will be launching in Germany by the end of 2021 with prices starting at 77,300 euros." reports Chris Randall at electrive: "The ‘xDrive’ designation, familiar from BMW combustion models, reveals that the basic version of the iX also features an all-wheel-drive system. The ’40’ is supposed to place the variant on a similar level to the combustion engine models since the models with the three-litre in-line six-cylinder are currently mainly sold with the ’40’ designation. the iX xDrive40 should accelerate from a standstill to 100 kph in less than six seconds. Consumption is said to be 200Wh/km (322wh/mile). With the smaller battery, the DC charging power is up to 150 kW, which means that 90 kilometres of electricity can be recharged in ten minutes. The charging process from 10 to 80 per cent should take less than 40 minutes. The battery is said to have a gross energy content of “more than 100 kWh”. BMW gives the estimated standard range as more than 600 kilometres. Charging with the large battery takes place at a maximum of 200 kW, which means it should be possible to charge enough power for 120 kilometres in ten minutes."
UK pricing is £69,000 for the xDrive40, matching a BMW X5 specs and price. That's for 250 miles of range, the xDrvie50 getting 370 miles.
They're using a structural battery pack , the 5th generation of BMW battery technology has 20% better energy density than anything they've used so far. Like the new VW's it will change it's regen based on sat nav and sensors. So on the motorway it will coast, in traffic it's max regen. I'd like to try that and see how quickly I get used to it. The motors are designed in house by BMW, they say different to what else is being used in the market. No rare earth materials. Much like Lucid tout, BMW are proud of how they've packaged the motor, electronics and gearbox in one housing. 11kw on board charger.
I-Pace, e-tron, Model X, Mercedes EQS competition.
https://www.electrive.com/2021/03/17/bmw-ix-to-launch-in-germany-for-e77300/
BMW STRATEGY
"he firm's lineup will include electric variants of the 5 Series, the 7 Series, and the X1, though they will likely be based on the next-generation cars, not on the models currently found in showrooms. BMW hopes to have at least one electric model representing it in about 90% of its current market segments by 2023, and it realistically expects that EVs will account for approximately 50% of its global sales by 2030." says Autoblog: "Most will be powered exclusively by batteries, but some will be available with a hydrogen-electric powertrain. Highly automated driving technology will be available, too, though BMW stressed its EVs will be enjoyable to drive."
MINI BRAND WILL BE ALL ELECTRIC
"Mini will become a pure electric car brand by the early 2030s, it’s been announced. The last new combustion-engined Mini – widely rumoured to be the next Mini Hatch – will arrive in 2025, and by 2027 Mini expects electric vehicles to account for more than half of all sales, the BMW-owned British brand said." according to Car Dealre Magazine: "The transition to electric will be complete by the early 2030s, when Mini’s entire range will be electric-powered. The announcement is significant because while the move will put the firm in line with the UK’s 2030 ban on the sale of petrol and diesel cars, it will affect all markets around the world Mini operates in. That means other major markets such as Asia and the United States, where petrol and diesel sales can currently continue after 2030, will also only have electric Minis. The Mini Electric is currently the only EV the brand sells."
U.S. ARRIVAL OF THE ID.4 EV
This month marks a major milestone in Volkswagen’s story: the arrival of the ID.4, the company’s first long-range electric SUV in dealers across America
Compared to a traditional vehicle, an electric vehicle requires several different steps along its journey from factory to dealer. EVs require special handling when in transit from the factory to dealerships, including maintaining a sufficient state of charge to complete the journey.
Preparation for the arrival of the ID.4 in the U.S. started more than two years ago. Over that time, many Volkswagen dealers have installed Level 2 charging stations and appropriate vehicle lifts to unload the products into showrooms and service bays.
MG5 ESTATE FOR EUROPE
MG announces two new generation battery electric vehicles which will enter the European market later this year. The new and exciting MG Marvel R Electric – a high-tech, luxurious ‘lifestyle’ SUV for the C-segment – and the new MG5 Electric: world’s first 100% electric station wagon.
the MG5 Electric offers a range of more than 400 kilometres (WLTP). In this case, the electric motor delivers 135 kW (184 ps) and 280 Nm torque. It also offers quick charging capability at a public charging point (AC) due to the 11 kW on-board 3-phase charger. And it’s suitable for fast-charging (DC) to charge the battery up to 80% in just 30 minutes. And it can tow up to 500kg. A roof load of 75kg. The European market launch of the new MG5 Electric is scheduled for October this year.
Plus, MG Pilot – advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). V2L 2,500W power supply for external usage.
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