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With its new i4 electric car, BMW
BMW,
is hoping to take a bite out of Tesla’s
TSLA,
market dominance.
The i4 is a 4-door, 5-seat car that is similar in size to BMW’s 3 Series, albeit with a profile more akin to the fastback 4 Series Gran Coupe. Unlike the 4 Series, though, the i4 is electric. BMW says its electric motors churn out up to 530 horsepower, and the automaker estimates a 300-mile electric range when the Environmental Protection Agency rates the car.
BMW says the car will scoot to 60 mph in around four seconds, though an M Performance version presumably boasting more power and sharper handling will follow.
We don’t know what the i4 will cost when it arrives in the U.S. for the 2022 model year, but it’s safe to assume that BMW has the $37,490 Tesla Model 3 in its sights. Still, the i4 Gran Coupe’s 300-mile range doesn’t quite match the 353-mile range of the current Tesla Model 3 Long Range (which starts at $46,490).
Smart new features
Still, the i4 does bring some new tricks to the party. For one, the car’s Apple
AAPL,
CarPlay compatibility will be able to calculate a route (using Apple Maps, of course) based on the car’s available range, as well as any charging stations along the way. Additionally, those with iPhones can use their devices as a key fob to enter and start the i4. And you thought replacing a lost BMW key would be expensive.
See: What’s it like to drive the 2021 Maserati Ghibli?
BMW isn’t quite done with gasoline engines — which is good news for enthusiasts pining for a few more years or wringing out the German automaker’s legendary turbocharged powertrains. The automaker is aiming to convert half of its lineup to electric power by 2025, though it hasn’t released a target date for going fully electric.
This story originally ran on Autotrader.com.
