Page 1 – Introduction
Page 2 – BMW i4
Page 3 – Polestar 2
Page 4 – Tesla Model 3

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BMW i4

Our pick: BMW i4 eDrive40 from S$311,888 with COE (Apr 2022)
Read our review of the BMW i4 eDrive40 here

BMW has been ramping up its EV offerings in the past year, with the introduction of the iX3 and iX SUVs helping the brand push into the forefront of the EV movement in Singapore. Its latest EV to hit the market is the i4, a sleek four-door sedan (although BMW calls it a ‘Gran Coupe’) that is as advanced as its other electrified siblings.

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As of now, the sole i4 variant available on sale is the eDrive40, which has 340hp and 430Nm of torque, and goes for S$311,888 with COE. Compared with other high-end EVs on the market, the numbers seem modest, but the i4 delivers its power in a smooth and effortless fashion that makes it an excellent highway cruiser. Those who desire more power can await the high-performance i4 M50 model that will arrive by the end of this year.

The i4 shares the same basic silhouette and design with the 4 Series Gran Coupe on which it is based. Minor details like the blue highlights around the front, side and rear, the closed-off grille, and the lack of rear exhaust pipes mark out the i4’s electric credentials, but otherwise the i4 can pretty much pass off as a regular 4 GC.

The interior features the BMW Curved Display screens first seen on the BMW iX, with its large 14.9-inch infotainment screen combined with the 12.3-inch driver instrument display through one set of glass, giving it a more streamlined look and user experience. The software runs on the latest BMW OS 8 operating system, and incorporates the latest BMW tech features such as Intelligent Personal Assistant (IPA) voice recognition system, as well as the ability to use your phone as the car key via BMW’s app.

In terms of interior space, the i4’s sleek coupe-style roofline means that rear headroom is somewhat compromised. This is somewhat exacerbated by the battery pack being incorporated into the floor, pushing the rear seat even higher. Most average-sized adults will be able to fit with no problems, but taller folks might find their heads brushing against the roof.

The i4’s greatest strength though is its drivability. It’s perfectly balanced, with its low centre of gravity giving it plenty of stability at speed and in the corners. Its eager, accurate nose and feelsome steering, along with its rear-wheel-drive setup, offers up plenty of enjoyment for the keen driver, with a remarkable sense of composure that’s absent in many other EVs.

Its electric range is pretty impressive too. BMW officially quotes a range of up to 591km for the i4 eDrive40, but even on a relatively heavy foot, you can easily achieve over 400km on a full charge, which is plenty for our little island. In our experience, BMW’s EVs tend to be extremely energy-efficient, so there’s little worry about running out of range even for relatively long distance journeys.

Continue to Page 3 for a Swedish Tesla ‘companion’

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