SINGAPORE – BMW Asia today announced the availability of the new BMW i4 and new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé, further building on their unique status in the marketplace with targeted upgrades in aesthetic appeal, driving pleasure, electrification and digitalisation. The new BMW i4 will continue to deliver locally emission-free mobility in the brand’s hallmark style while the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé underscores its sporting elegance with a precisely modified design.

“At BMW, we firmly believe in the power of choice,” said Lars Nielsen, Managing Director, BMW Group Asia. “Regardless of the drivetrain, the emotional experience behind the wheel of a BMW Series 4 Series is ever present. Here in Singapore, our customers expect a superior drive and stylish companion for all occasions. Therefore, with these fresh updates, we are confident that the new BMW i4 and new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé will continue to set the benchmark in the premium midsize class.”

The popularity of the BMW i4 also represents an endorsement of the BMW Group’s ‘technology-open’ approach in the current ramp-up phase of electric mobility. The all-electric gran coupé was developed on the basis of a flexible drive system architecture. Similar vehicle concepts now also enable BMW 7 Series, BMW 5 Series, BMW X1, BMW X2, and BMW X3 model variants with combustion engines, plug-in hybrid systems, and all-electric drive to be offered alongside one another.

The new BMW i4 and new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé are built at the BMW Group’s home plant in Munich, whose transformation into a production facility geared exclusively to all-electric models is being fuelled by substantial investment. The green electricity needed for production will come from hydroelectric power stations in the region.

New design for the BMW kidney grille, headlights, and rear lights.

Slim headlights and a vertically arranged BMW kidney grille dropping deep towards the road headline the front-end styling of the new BMW i4 and new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé. A refreshed design brings additional visual impact to these signature brand features. The surround of the BMW kidney grille is now finished in matt chrome. Due to the low cooling requirement of the electric drive system, the BMW kidney grille of the new BMW i4 has a fully enclosed upper section, below which is a Black high-gloss surface topped by a matt-silver honeycomb pattern. The air intakes on the combustion-engine model of the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé have a mesh structure whose surfaces are now painted in matt Quartz Silver.

As well as a front apron with large side air intakes, the standard M Sport package for the new BMW i4 also includes a diffuser element in the lower section of the rear bumper, which is now painted in Black high-gloss. In addition, the exhaust tailpipes integrated into the rear apron on the left and right of the combustion-engine model have grown from 90 millimetres to 100 millimetres in diameter.

The visually and functionally upgraded headlights also play their part in the modern appearance of the front end. The new structure of their LED units creates a technically focused look. Low and high beam are generated from a single LED module. A pair of vertical and subtly arrow-shaped LED units house the side light, daytime driving light, and turn signal indicator functions. Comfort Access is fitted, and the new headlights generate a Welcome Light Animation once the driver and vehicle key come within three metres of the car.

The Adaptive LED Headlights comes as standard, which has blue inlays, non-dazzling matrix high beam, urban lights, and a cornering light function. The prism structure of the LED units for the urban lights provides a striking contrast against the uniform illumination of the daytime driving light units. All models of the new BMW i4 and new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé are also fitted with highly expressive rear Laserlight. This model-specific version of an innovative lighting effect employs a technology first seen in the BMW M4 CSL. Here, laser diodes each illuminate a fibre optic bundle, giving the rear units an intricate light graphic. This creates an exclusive light design at the rear as well.

The new BMW i4 M50 xDrive meanwhile underlines its extremely sporty character with M-specific design features producing eye-catching visuals featuring a BMW kidney grille with a Black high-gloss surround and horizontally arranged bars adorned by a BMW M logo. And the front apron elements that were previously finished in Cerium Grey also come in Black high-gloss. As a result, the front-end styling is now even more closely related to the design of the BMW M4 high-performance sports cars.

New exterior paint finishes and aerodynamic wheels.

The selection of exterior paint finishes for the new BMW i4 and new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé now also comprises the new Cape York Green metallic and Fire Red metallic shades. A wide variety of BMW Individual paint finishes and BMW Individual special paint finishes are also offered. The new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé comes with 18-inch M aerodynamic wheels as standard, while the new BMW i4 has 19-inch M aerodynamic wheels. The range-topping new BMW i4 M50 xDrive rides on 19-inch M light-alloy wheels as standard.

New interior accents target progressive sporting appeal.

The modifications to the interior of the new BMW i4 and new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé are focused on digitalization and achieving a sharper sporting profile. New adjustment controls for the air vent grilles in the centre of the instrument panel and on the driver’s and front passenger side of the cockpit allow the airflow direction to be adjusted using rotating and tilting movements.

The new BMW i4 and new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé are fitted as standard with sport seats in Sensatec perforated.

In the new BMW i4 M50 xDrive, the standard M Sport seats are also trimmed in the luxurious Vernasca leather. Also to be found as standard in the M Performance model are interior trim elements in Carbon Fibre, M door sill trim, M pedals, an M driver’s footrest, an anthracite-coloured headliner and M-specific graphics for the BMW Curved Display.

Newly designed steering wheels, gearshift paddles now standard.

The newly designed M leather steering wheel also feed into the enhanced sporting allure of the interior. It has a three-spoke design with a flat bottomed rim and a discreet centre marking in the 12 o’clock position comes as standard in the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé and new BMW i4.

The M leather steering wheel in the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé also comes equipped with gearshift paddles as standard. The two paddles – on the left-hand and right-hand steering wheel spokes – enable super-swift manual interventions in the gear selection process of the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission.

The M leather steering wheel in the new BMW i4 M50 xDrive also comes with decorative stitching in BMW M colours and a red centre marker, further adding to the performance experience in the cockpit.

High-quality materials, adjustable ambient lighting.

Interior trim finishers in Fine-Brushed Aluminium feature as standard in the new BMW i4 and new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé, helping to create a premium ambience of renewed sophistication on board.

The ambient lighting – also now standard – includes contour lighting integrated into the trim around the central seam vents. Like the lighting for the footwells, the storage compartment in the front section of the centre console and the door openers, this can be adjusted for colour and brightness according to personal preference. Users can choose from nine colours. The functionality of the interior lighting also includes an atmospheric Welcome and Goodbye Animation and light signals indicating an open door or incoming phone call.

The new additions to the options list also include the instrument panel Luxury in Sensatec with a further refined surface structure, which features on the door shoulders too. This is standard on the new BMW i4 M50 xDrive. Load compartment capacity can be extended as required from 470 litres to a maximum 1,290 litres.

Powertrain and charging technology: Bringing fresh energy to sporty driving pleasure.

The flexible drive system architecture of the gran coupé for the premium midsize class allows it to be combined with both all-electric drive systems and highly efficient combustion engines. The new cars channel their power to the road via classical rear wheel drive.

Playing a key role in enhancing the sporty driving pleasure available in the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé is the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission now fitted as standard with the combustion engines. It offers an ultra-sharp shift action and also enables swift manual interventions in the gear selection process. All the petrol models feature gearshift paddles on the steering wheel for this purpose.

Chassis technology and driver assistance systems: Dynamism, comfort, safety, and a hallmark BMW driving experience.

The extremely rigid body and chassis mountings, intelligent lightweight design, low centre of gravity, almost perfect 50 : 50 weight distribution and optimised aerodynamic properties provide all the necessary ingredients for a well-rounded vehicle character.

The double-joint spring strut front axle and five-link rear axle have likewise been engineered to reduce weight while increasing rigidity. Electromechanical steering with Servotronic function, an integrated braking system, the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system and near actuator wheel slip limitation all come as standard too.

Model-specific chassis technology with a bespoke set-up.

The sophisticated chassis technology combines with the model-specific design and set-up of all components to ensure an ideal blend of sporting flair and ride comfort in all powertrain variants. In the new BMW i4, for instance, the high-voltage battery is firmly bolted to the floor assembly, while its casing serves as a load-bearing structural element to maximise torsional stiffness. Like the combustion-engine model in the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé range, the new BMW i4 is additionally fitted with integral tower-to-front end struts, an aluminium shear panel at the front end and underfloor bracing elements in the rear axle area.

The lift-related dampers are another factor in the harmonious handling characteristics of the new BMW i4 and new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé. Depending on the spring travel, these provide extra damping to control body movement when driving over large bumps and inhibit excessive dive. Meanwhile, the system reacts to minor imperfections in the road surface with low damping forces that produce high levels of comfort.

All-electric new BMW i4 M50 xDrive takes pole position.

The new BMW i4 M50 xDrive embodies a particularly intense distillation of signature M performance in all-electric guise. Its peak output even exceeds that of the new BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupé, which has a six cylinder in-line petrol engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology under its bonnet.

Two highly integrated drive units bringing together an electric motor, power electronics and transmission within a single housing help the new BMW i4 M50 xDrive to top the output rankings. The electric motor driving the rear wheels and the unit at the front axle come together to create an electric all-wheel-drive system which is controlled quickly and precisely to ensure effortless progress in any driving situation. The fully variable system means power can always be distributed to optimum effect — from highly efficient pure rear-wheel drive through to an all wheel-drive set-up that maximises traction.

A specially designed boost function is available to the driver in SPORT mode to initiate extremely dynamic power delivery from both electric motors. This increases maximum combined output by 50 kW/68 hp to 400 kW/544 hp for over 10 seconds, at the same time as boosting maximum combined torque by 65 Nm to 795 Nm. Activating the Sport Boost function enables the new BMW i4 M50 xDrive to sprint from rest to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 225 km/h.

M-specific chassis technology for smile-inducing performance.

The range-topping model is equipped with chassis technology tailored specifically to its drive system’s performance characteristics. The adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers featured on the new BMW i4 M50 xDrive include variable sport steering. Its stunning performance capabilities are also partly down to its M Sport brakes.

Charging in Singapore.

To make electromobility simple and straightforward for customers, today, BMW Asia continues this partnership by offering BMW EV customers either a comprehensive home or public charging package:

• For home charging, customers will receive a BMW Wallbox with complimentary installation service.
• For public charging, customers will receive a subscription package of 10,000kWh over 3 years at Shell Recharge stations with no monthly cap for charging. This is equivalent to 50,000km of driving range (assuming average energy consumption of 20kWh/100km).

The BMW Wallbox provides a fast way to charge their vehicle at a rate of up to 22kW. Once the vehicle is plugged in, charging begins and will end automatically when the battery is fully charged or has reached its pre-determined level.

BMW Charging gives drivers access to one of the largest networks of public charging stations located in various office buildings, shopping malls, hotels, and industrial parks in Singapore. Activation of and payment for the chargers can be done through an RFID card or the Shell Recharge smartphone app.

Wide variety of driver assistance systems.

An array of advanced assistance systems are on hand to enhance comfort and safety when driving and parking the new BMW i4 and new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé. The front collision warning system with brake intervention and Cruise Control with brake function are both fitted as standard, along with Speed Limit Info with no-overtaking indicator, manual Speed Limit Assist and Lane Departure Warning with lane return.

Park Distance Control with sensors at both the front and rear comes as standard, as does the Parking Assistant. This system enables automated manoeuvring into and out of parking spaces, and also features a Reversing Assist Camera and the Reversing Assistant. The new BMW i4 M50 xDrive comes with Parking Assistant Plus as standard, with Park View, Panorama View and Remote 3D View functions.

Display and control / operation system, connectivity: BMW Operating System 8.5 and innovative digital services.

The latest generation of the BMW iDrive display and control/operation system with QuickSeIect based on BMW Operating System 8.5 opens up a new way of intuitively controlling vehicle functions and accessing digital services in the new BMW i4 and new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé. With the digital BMW Curved Display screen grouping and the expanded capabilities of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, the driver-centric cockpit has been geared squarely to operation using touch control and natural language.

The climate control functions are also operated digitally in the new BMW i4 and new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé, enabling a further reduction in the number of physical buttons and controls. The control/operation system additionally comprises multifunction buttons on the steering wheel, the BMW iDrive Controller and the optional BMW Head-Up Display, which is standard on the new BMW i4 M50 xDrive.

BMW iDrive with QuickSeIect: functions shown on a single level and selectable with rapid-access tech.

The system’s QuickSeIect feature paves the way for an improved menu structure that takes its cue from consumer electronics devices. It allows the driver to navigate to functions directly from the newly arranged home screen without having to enter submenus. The new, flat menu structure makes it much easier to switch between different functions and helps the driver to focus their attention on what’s happening on the road.

The new home screen continuously displays the navigation system’s map view or other individually configurable graphics on the control display. On the same level, there is a vertical bar on the driver’s side of the display containing widgets that can now be individually selected and arranged. The new BMW i4 also includes a widget for the charging functions. Some of the widgets can also be swiped horizontally to show additional content. The related functions can then be called up directly with QuickSelect. And once the relevant settings have been chosen, a quick tap on the home icon at the lower edge of the control display is all it takes to return to the home screen. Icons for direct access to the climate control menu, All Apps menu and, if activated, Apple CarPlay@ and Android Auto^TM  can also now be found next to the home icon.

BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant with additional languages and new graphics.

At the same time, voice control using the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant is set to become even more interactive and intuitive in the new BMW i4 and new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé. There is now a choice of two different looks for the graphics visualising the digital companion on the control display, with additional graphics also appearing here in response to selected voice commands. For instance, the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant acknowledges the request to look for a gas station nearby by showing the image of a fuel pump, enriching the dialogue between driver and vehicle.

BMW Maps navigation system with new charging-optimised route guidance and Augmented View.

The latest version of BMW Maps also gives the new BMW i4 drivers access both from the vehicle and via the My BMW App – to improved functions that enable charging-optimised route planning over long journeys at a level of precision no rival can match. The charging stops are planned so that the selected destination is reached as quickly as possible. The driver’s preferred minimum charge level when arriving at mid-journey stops and the final destination can be adjusted in increments of five per cent and incorporated into the route planning. The system can also give preference to charging stations operated by selected providers and exclude others from the route planning at the driver’s request. The system will then propose the latter only if there seems to be no alternative for an efficient route without any large detours.

Additional information is provided for the selected charging stations, such as supported connector types and payment options, as well as the availability of sanitary, catering or shopping facilities in the vicinity. The expected duration of the planned charging stop and the resulting electricity costs can also be shown in advance. The closer the vehicle gets to a scheduled mid-journey stop, the more frequently the availability of the charging point is checked so that an alternative route can be recommended in good time if necessary. Regardless of the charging optimised route given, a constant stream of alternative charging options are also displayed, e.g. for spontaneous mid-journey breaks.

The BMW Live Cockpit Professional, which comes as standard in the new BMW i4 M50 xDrive, adds not only the full-colour BMW Head-Up Display, but also the Augmented View function. This offers contextual, real-time information to complement the navigation system’s map display by showing a live video stream of the driver’s view on the control display or instrument cluster and augmenting it with information that is currently relevant. At confusing junctions, for instance, an animated directional arrow is integrated into the video image to help the driver take the best turn-off for the planned route.

Personalisation and remote access with BMW ID and My BMW App.

BMW Operating System 8.5 also makes it even easier to personalise the user experience in the new BMW i4 and new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé. Signing in to the vehicle by scanning a QR code with a smartphone is all it takes to import the customer’s personal profile, load synchronisable settings and automatically link the key detected in the vehicle with the BMW ID.

The vehicle is also automatically added to the My BMW App. Available free of charge from the app stores for both iOS and Android, the My BMW App acts as a universal digital interface that provides information on the vehicle’s condition, charging status or remaining range at any time. Depending on the car’s specification, it also gives the user access to various remote functions. For example, the vehicle can be located remotely via the My BMW App and the doors locked and unlocked. The Remote 3D View and Remote Inside View functions included with the standard Parking Assistant Plus in the new BMW i4 M50 xDrive give drivers the ability to call up a three dimensional live image of their vehicle’s immediate vicinity on their smartphone.

Besides this, the My BMW App can also be used to send destination addresses from the user’s smartphone to the vehicle’s navigation system for route planning and to initiate, purchase or extend ConnectedDrive Upgrades. It is also possible to control the charging process and preconditioning for the new BMW i4 from the My BMW App. The My Trips feature including Efficiency Trainer and monthly review provides the user with data and evaluations for distances travelled, consumption and average speed, as well as offering helpful tips for driving more efficiently.

Optimum connectivity with Personal eSIM and 5G standard.

Customers of the new BMW i4 and new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé can activate the Personal eSlM as standard – in addition to the vehicle’s built-in mobile SIM. The Personal eSlM uses the 5G mobile communications standard and allows the customer to use the communications and connectivity features covered by their mobile contract, even when they don’t have their smartphone with them.

All phone functions can be operated with the BMW iDrive system or the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. A low-radiation connection to the vehicle’s exterior antenna is used for making phone calls and streaming data via the Personal eSlM.