The BMW i4 starts at RMB 449,900 in China, higher than the Nio ET5's RMB 328,000 yuan.
After making its full iX lineup available in China early last month, BMW today launched its first all-electric four-door sedan, the i4, in the country.
The model is available in two versions, the BMW i4 eDrive40 and BMW i4 M50, with retail prices of RMB 449,900 ($71,000) and RMB 539,900, respectively.
(Image credit: BMW)
The BMW i4 looks similar to the BMW 4 Series, but with a new family design at the front. It measures 4,785 mm in length, 1,852 mm in width and 1,455 mm in height, and has a wheelbase of 2,856 mm.
The BMW i4 is smaller than Nio's second, less expensive sedan, the ET5, which measures 4,790 mm in length, 1,960 mm in width and 1,499 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,888 mm.
The ET5 is also cheaper in terms of prices, with a starting price of RMB 328,000 for consumers who purchase the model that includes the battery pack. The ET5 starts at RMB 258,000 if Nio's battery rental service BaaS is selected.
The BMW i4 is equipped with the fifth generation of eDrive technology, with the i4 eDrive 40 version delivering 250kW of maximum output and 430Nm of peak torque, and accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds. Energy consumption per 100 km is a minimum of 14.7 kWh and the CLTC range is 625 km.
The BMW i4 M50 version has a maximum output of 400 kW and a peak torque of 795 Nm, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds and has a CLTC range of 560 km.
The BMW i4 series becomes the latest electric vehicle to be launched by the German luxury carmaker in China. Its delivery date is currently unknown.
BMW let the iX xDrive 50 go on sale in China at the Guangzhou Auto Show on November 19 last year with a retail price of RMB 846,900.
On January 5, BMW let two other models of the iX series - iX M60 and iX xDrive 40 - go on sale in China.
The BMW iX M60 has a retail price of RMB 996,900 with deliveries scheduled for mid-year. iX xDrive 40 has a retail price of RMB 746,900 with deliveries starting in January.
These are moves by BMW to increase its bets on the Chinese market.
On December 16 last year, BMW announced an upgrade of its China strategy to align with the country's development goals, uphold the "China First" principle and prioritize the needs of the Chinese market in new product development.
In 2022, BMW will present five all-electric models to Chinese customers, including the BMW iX, BMW i4, and an all-electric BMW 3 Series produced in Shenyang, it said.
In addition, an all-electric flagship model will also be unveiled in 2022. By the end of 2023, the BMW Group will offer some 13 all-electric products in the Chinese market, it said.
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