No word yet though in regards to any of the other higher-powered BMW i4 variants landing locally.
BMW Malaysia really does seem to soon be going all out with its electrification efforts locally. That is because not only has the German automaker recently announced that it will be bringing the iX and iX3 over here, the pair of all-electric SUVs will soon be complemented with the imminent arrival of its i4 sedan too.
Unveiled globally earlier in the year, there was indeed much fanfare around BMW’s first fully-electric sedan. This is particularly upon news of this is will be the first EV to sport an M badge, in the form of the i4 M50.
That potent performance variant of the i4 however would likely seem to still be elusive for us over here in Malaysia, as what is arriving over here first instead is the more sensible eDrive40. Though despite only packing a sole rear-mounted 250 kW drive motor, a more-than-adequate century sprint time of 5.7 seconds does nevertheless indicate that it perhaps will be plenty fast enough for the needs and wants of most.
In continuing on the subject of more than adequate too, the 83.9 kWh battery is capable of providing up to a WLTP-rated 590 km of range on a single charge. As for topping it up on the other hand, its 400 V system has a claimed charging time of 10% to 80% in 31 minutes when hooked up to a 210 kW DC supply.
Now turning towards the exterior meanwhile, there really is no denying that the i4 does bear a strong resemblance to the fuel-burning 4-Series Gran Coupe on which it is (loosely) based upon. There are however the usual EV exterior accoutrements — like the blanked off kidney-grille, 19-inch aerodynamic wheels and blue accents for instance — to further drive home its eco-friendly point made by this swoopy all-electric sedan.
For those though who wishes for their EV to be eco yet sporty looking, the local online configurator does show that there will be an M Sport package to be available with the i4 eDrive40 in Malaysia. An option that brings with it a more aggressive front and rear fascia, as well as a total of 3 different M-spec alloys.
The online configurator also there to be a host of different upholstery options within its interior too, but it does remains to be seen if some of the more exotic colour schemes will still be available when the i4 debuts locally. What however would most certainly be sticking around is this electric sedan when it lands locally will be the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 14.9-inch central infotainment touchscreen running BMW Operating System 8, as well as the usual suite of driver aids and the option of BMW IconicSounds Electric that was composed by Hans Zimmer.
As for when exactly the i4 will be landing locally though, that is still very much a mystery thus far. Prices too for this all-electric BMW sedan are still equally unknown at the present moment, but interested parties can now already register their interests for one on the German automaker’s official Malaysian site linked here.
PRESS RELEASE: BMW Group Malaysia demonstrated its further commitment to shape the future of mobility in Malaysia, hinting at the arrival of new-generation fully Electric BMW i innovations to the country – bringing to life sophisticated electric drivetrains, innovative sustainable materials, and technologies of tomorrow, today.
The details of the First-Ever BMW iX xDrive40, the First-Ever BMW iX xDrive40 Sport, and the First-Ever BMW iX xDrive50 Sport were revealed alongside the anticipated First-Ever BMW iX3 and the First-Ever BMW i4 eDrive40. The reveal of the upcoming electric vehicle portfolio also sets to underline the premium automaker’s Sustainable Mobility Strategy in the country moving forward.
Hans de Visser, Managing Director of BMW Group Malaysia said, “This is a milestone for the BMW Group, even more so for us at BMW Group Malaysia. We have been in the driver’s seat in accelerating innovation, awareness on new and sustainable technology for the automotive industry, shaping the infrastructure for premium electrified vehicles in Malaysia since 2015. Our success in Malaysia today is cemented by our position as the leader in electrified mobility here, which is underlined by an impressive delivery of over 2,200 units of electrified vehicles last year alone.”
De Visser added that the incoming fleet of electric vehicles from BMW i will present all the best possibilities of Sheer Electric Driving Pleasure to loyal BMW customers and EV enthusiasts alike in Malaysia, with no compromise. More importantly, it will also drive the All-New Sustainability Strategy for the BMW Group in Malaysia.
The First-Ever BMW i4.
The epitome of the sustainable sports four-door gran coupé, built with specific focus on electric driving dynamics from the outset, the BMW i4 is the latest member of the premium mid-sized sedan segment. The futuristic sports sedan offers the electrical power output of up to 340HP, a 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds and an impressive WLTP electric driving range of up to 590 kilometres on a single charge.
Pre-booking and registration of interest open for the next-generation BMW i fleet.
The First-Ever BMW iX xDrive40 and First-Ever BMW iX xDrive40 Sport are now available for pre-booking on the BMW Shop Online platform via https://shop.bmw.com.my/ at a fee of RM 5,000. Registration of interest for the First-Ever BMW iX xDrive50, the BMW iX3 and the BMW i4 eDrive40 are also open on the official BMW website via the respective hyperlinks.
Owners of electric vehicles from the BMW i portfolio can also enjoy battery warranty of up to 8 years or 160,000km, whichever comes first. Additionally, the first 50 customers to pre-book the First-Ever BMW iX xDrive40 and First-Ever BMW iX xDrive40 Sport will receive an exclusive pre-booking advantage, consisting of a Complimentary Charging Installation and a Complimentary 1-year Public Charging Access. This advantage will be available until 22nd September 2021, terms and conditions apply.
As the arrival of the next-generation BMW i fleet welcomes a new era of electromobility in Malaysia, BMW Group Malaysia also has their eyes set on rapidly expanding the BMW i dealer network to key cities across the country. DC Fast Chargers will also be installed at all BMW i dealers for public use to further accelerate the availability of charging infrastructures in Malaysia, along with Rapid-charging DC Chargers to be made available for quick on-the-go charging at selected dealerships nationwide.
“We look forward to reigniting local interest and uptake for electromobility, in foresight of the much-discussed upcoming Low Carbon Mobility Blueprint. We have partnered with GreenTech Malaysia from the very beginning to grow the local charging infrastructure network as part of our key strategies to shift Malaysia towards a low carbon mobility future. Moving forward, we aim to give Malaysians the confidence to choose electric for their next – or even first, drive. In fact, there are more plans set to activate in the upcoming months that will encourage a positive reception of this future-focused way of mobility, of which we hope will also be strengthened by the upcoming revision of government policies towards electromobility,” de Visser added.
