Currently reading: BMW Concept i4 to preview 523bhp Tesla Model 3 rival
Munich firm will showcase its forthcoming electric four-door Gran Coupe with a new concept at Geneva

BMW will unveil the Concept i4 electric saloon at the Geneva motor show, previewing its forthcoming 523bhp Tesla Model 3 rival.

The showroom version of the i4 is due to enter production in 2021 and BMW has already shown images of a camouflaged version testing alongside the upcoming iX3 electric SUV. BMW has teased the concept with a single image and a short video.

The Concept i4 will take the form of a four-door Gran Coupé, according to BMW, and design chief Adrian van Hooydonk said it will feature a design that is “dynamic, clean and elegant. In short: a perfect BMW that happens to be zero emission.”

Geneva motor show 2020: what you can expect to see

The styling of this latest concept is expected to closely follow the Concept 4 Series shown at last year’s Frankfurt motor show – including the controversial bold kidney grille. The Concept 4 Series was described as 85% production ready and it effectively gave an early design preview of both the i4 and the closely related second-generation 4 Series, due to be launched later this year.

BMW has already confirmed that the production version of the i4 will feature the fifth generation of its e-Drive system, producing 523bhp from two motors and resulting in a 0-62mph time of around four seconds. That output has been chosen to mirror the power of a current BMW V8 engine. 

BMW has also said the i4 will feature an 80kWh high-voltage battery pack weighing around 550kg and giving a claimed range of around 373 miles. The battery can be charged at rates of up to 150kW.

READ MORE

BMW i4: 2021 Tesla Model 3 rival to produce 523bhp

BMW previews future 4 Series and i4 with bold concept car

BMW iX3 spotted in near-production guise

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James Attwood

James Attwood, digital editor
Title: Acting magazine editor

James is Autocar's acting magazine editor. Having served in that role since June 2023, he is in charge of the day-to-day running of the world's oldest car magazine, and regularly interviews some of the biggest names in the industry to secure news and features, such as his world exclusive look into production of Volkswagen currywurst. Really.

Before first joining Autocar in 2017, James spent more than a decade in motorsport journalist, working on Autosport, autosport.com, F1 Racing and Motorsport News, covering everything from club rallying to top-level international events. He also spent 18 months running Move Electric, Haymarket's e-mobility title, where he developed knowledge of the e-bike and e-scooter markets. 

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jameshobiecat 26 February 2020

Efficient

373miles from just 80kw suggests impressive efficiency. It's amazing what happens when you build a low slung EV as opposed to an SUV.
FRI2 25 February 2020

Is that a chocolate model? 

Is that a chocolate model? 

FRI2 25 February 2020

At least its a concept and

At least its a concept and not a Precept (a-la-Polestar) of a concept that might conceivably be conceptually be made into a "rival"...someday...