It’s been known for some time that one of BMW’s upcoming electric vehicles is going to be some sort of four-door coupe, similar in style to the 4 Series Gran Coupe. We’ve also known that this car is going to be called the BMW i4, as it was recently announced by BMW CEO Harald Krüger. However, up until now, we’ve yet to see any sort of real production version of it, only concepts and renderings. Now, though, some spy photos have cropped up, showing off what might be the BMW i4. (We don’t own the photos but see them here)
The potential BMW i4 in question is a heavily wrapped test mule that’s sitting on the back of a car carrier. Now, we have no way of knowing for sure if this is the actually the i4 or not but there are a lot of hints towards it being so.
For instance, there’s the big “Electric Test Vehicle” sign on its rear bumpers. While it’s possible that could mean it’s a plug-in hybrid, we don’t see a charge port on the front fender, nor are there any visible exhaust pipes. So it would seem that this is a fully-electric vehicle.
When you factor its likely BEV nature in with the fact that it wears similar styling to the 4 Series Gran Coupe, it being a BMW i4 starts to seem more and more likely.
If this is in fact a BMW i4, its styling seems as if it could launch tomorrow. The design language it wears is strikingly similar to that of all new BMWs, such as the new 3 Series. Though, it does more closely resemble the upcoming 4 Series we’ve seen in other spy photos, due to its smooth surfaces, sharp headlights and built-in rear decklid spoiler.
We’re going to be keeping a close eye out for any updates because the BMW i4 is going to be a hugely important and exciting car for the brand. So if this is indeed it, we’re going to be very interested.
[Source: Car Scoops]
If that’s what the i4 is going to look like, then the car carrier should be targeted for a drone strike.
Wow, no need to be such an extremist. i4 was always forecasted to be electric version of next 4GC, which is a smart engineering/business decision. The design looks good. Fastback design, appealing rear line…you don’t like those, no? Imagine what the ICE version will look like with bigger, wider tyres. Now imagine what M division would do to that ICE version. Trust me, it already looks like a car you’re gonna love.
LOL!
You are not pleased at all.
I would like to see more of it.
You drive a Maruti & Mini Mayfair & haven’t actually seen an i4.
Aside from the electric test vehicle sticker, it looks like a 3-Series Gran Turismo.
Yep you’re right, and that’s what redesigned 4GC is promised to look like, now with more of a fastback design, which it should have always had. If this image holds true, BMW will have a hotcake/good seller car on their hands.
“While it’s possible that could mean it’s a plug-in hybrid, we don’t see a charge port on the front fender, nor are there any visible exhaust pipes.”
Look again. I see what look like exhaust pipes in the pics of the rear end (https://www.carscoops.com/2019/01/first-look-2021-electric-bmw-i4-bavarias-answer-tesla-model-3/#lg=1&slide=13).
Looks fake, the exhaust.
They are clearly painted on.
It has the proportions of an ICE with room for an inline-6. It’s a 4-series unless BMW is continuing down the path of iX3 which would explain the similarities.
All CLAR.
I’d like to think that the i4 would follow the concept closer. Actually, if you think about it, it would carry on the continuity of the i range.
My guess, this is a mule for the i4.
I plan to replace my 2018 440i xDrive with the i4 at the end of its lease, if and only if they keep the hatchback profile, otherwise I will look at the Porsche Taycan or Audi e-Tron GT, and you wonder, why not the Tesla Model S, since it’s also a hatchback sedan? because I just hate Tesla, as simple as that … could’ve been driving one already, but chose not to after renting several Teslas (S, X and 3) on Turo and didn’t like any of them …
Why?
Looks like a smaller version of the 8 gran coupe
It looks to me like the upcoming 4GC or perhaps an i4 running mule with the 4GC body. While the general shape looks good, I think the i4 will be sleeker and more edgy (in a good way)…
Curiously, the B-pillar, body-colored “notches” shown on the i Vision Concept (i4) are not present. Additionally, the front fascia is showing a large breather intake below where the kidneys sit. Almost appears as if this might be the 4 GC version of the upcoming G20 330e?
Yes, it looks nothing like the i4.
The back looks like a Toyota Corolla, but anyway I hope this is something else. I really loved the concept design this one looks boring as hell.😭💔😭
It appears the “kink” may have been eliminated. Diehard fans are going to call foul.
I get that BMW is being risk adverse after the i3 but it seems the missteps with the Moses Lake plant and it’s early indecisions on the future of the i sub brand is still impacting their product line. Electrics from Porsche and Audi seem to be more exciting than what BMW is showing in these pre-production models. It’s going to be an interesting next 5 years.
Disappointing! Dosent look anything like the concept. Why does it have a so long hood as if it is a ICE car, and basic proportions looks to be very different. Cant see any lines and creases carried across from concept. It was intended to be a Gran Coupe but this looks like a Gran Turismo. Had really big hopes after seeing the concept, but this prototype turned it all down. All BMW had to do was to fix that grill from the concept (like the render) and they would have a winner. It is coming in 2021, so maybe this early prototype is just a drivetrain mule. They have 2 years to fix it and give us what they promised.