BMW Concept i4 with 523 hp. - Tesla Model 3 competitor

BMW is working on the next generation of the 4 Series, this time a battery-powered car called the i4, which will replace the 4 Series Gran Coupe.

The i4 is still a year away, but on Tuesday BMW unveiled the i4 Concept, which shows the design of the sedan with a fastback body.

The i4 concept is the second concept ahead of the i4, as the i Vision Dynamics concept unveiled in 2017 was also a precursor to the planned production model. The i4 concept is closer to the production i4 than the previous i Vision Dynamics, and some of its lines, including the tall grille, will be carried over to the updated gasoline version of the 4 Series.

One interesting element of the i4 concept that has yet to be confirmed for production is its sound: BMW is collaborating with Hans Zimmer, known for his many movie dramas, to write a unique sound for the concept. This sound is meant to compensate for the lack of engine sound and varies depending on the selected driving mode. In other words, it is more muted in Normal mode and more intense when switched to Sport mode.

The production i4 will feature an 80 kWh battery with a confirmed range of 373 miles (likely in the flagship class). This range is based on the milder WLTP cycle used overseas, but the EPA says it should exceed 300 miles. This would make it competitive with potential rivals such as the Tesla Model 3 and Polestar 2.

BMW's fifth-generation battery pack is more compact per kilowatt-hour than previous BMW batteries, but the i4 still weighs around 1,212 pounds. The latest batteries are also capable of 150 kWh fast charging, which BMW says can charge the battery to 80 percent in about 35 minutes.

The powertrain with an electric motor on each axle is expected to have a peak output of 523 hp for the i4, which is enough to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in less than 4 seconds. Incidentally, that power will likely be more than that of the upcoming M4. The i4's top speed will be limited, but BMW claims it will still exceed 124 mph.

The i4 won't be available until 2021, but the first members of BMW's revamped 4 Series lineup will start appearing this year.

The i4 is not the first electric version of a mainstream BMW model. That honor will go to the iX3 model, based on the X3 SUV, which will debut later this year.