Electric Gran Coupe gets same visual updates as ICE 4-Series, but could deliver more range
https://www.carscoops.com/author/chris-chilton-cc/
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by Chris Chilton
1 hour ago
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BMW facelifted its 3-Series sedan and wagon for 2023, and now it’s turned its attention to the Three’s slinkier siblings, the 4-Series Convertible, Coupe, and Gran Coupe, plus the electric version of version of the Gran Coupe, the i4.
So far this year our spy photographers have snapped every member of the revised 4-Series family bar the i4, and today we can finally add the EV to the list courtesy of these fresh images showing a prototype of the updated liftback testing on German roads.
The test car doesn’t appear to be a flagship M50 version, but it is wearing the M Sport appearance package that currently costs $3,100 and brings Shadowline black trim, 19-inch M wheels, and a more aggressive set bumpers, as well as a pair of strakes in front of the door on each fender. Strangely though, this prototype is riding on the 18-inch wheels that come with the base i4.
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Though the camouflage wrap makes it difficult to be certain, we can’t see any major changes to the body kit. The outline of the bumper vents looks unchanged, as does the shape of the giant grille kidneys with their blank centers. At the rear, however, the horizontal reflectors mounted just above the diffuser panel seem to have changed shape, swapping their triangle forms for a more conventional bar.
Related: BMW Expands 2024 Lineup With New i4 And 7-Series Models, Rolls Out iDrive 8.5
What definitely has changed are the front and rear light signatures. A mesh camo still obscures the illuminated design of the rear lamps, but we can see the DRLs on the front end have a new look.
We’re not expecting to find anything visually new inside the i4 because it already has BMW’s modern dashboard setup that combines the digital gauge cluster and infotainment screen under one big slab of glass. But no doubt there’ll be some updates to the infotainment software and connectivity.
There are also likely to be some improvements to the EV hardware for 2025, hopefully aimed at improving the electric range, which is in danger of looking off the pace in the coming years. That’s slightly less of an issue on lower-priced models like the single-motor rear-drive i4 eDrive40 that the EPA says can do 301 miles (484 km) on a charge than it is on the 536 hp (543 PS) M50 flagship that is rated at just 227 miles (365 km) on the optional 20-inch wheels. But we’d like to see BMW make improvements across the board in time for the car’s introduction next year.
