The BMW i4 has become the latest electric model in the brand’s line-up to gain a range of styling and technological updates.
The Munich-based brand’s electric coupe has been arguably its most successful: the i4 was BMW's best-selling electric model last year, with more than 83,000 cars sold globally.
The hot i4 M50 was the best-selling M model, too.
BMW has now given the i4 an update to keep pace with the overhauled Polestar 2 and heavily revised Tesla Model 3.
Both rivals received styling tweaks, as well as new battery technology for improved range and efficiency.
The new i4 gets a new front bumper and kidney-grille design, with the blanked-off grille not featuring a matte silver honeycomb batten. Opt for an M Sport model and you get a gloss black finished rear diffuser.
Both the headlights and taillights have been redesigned for a sharper look, with the high and low beams now generated by one LED module.
Switch to the interior and the i4 has received a number of updates to bring it in line with BMW’s other electric models.
The i4 gets BMW’s latest iDrive 8.5 infotainment system, a new gear selector and a revised steering wheel with illuminated buttons. M Sport models get a flat-bottomed steering wheel.
The i4 is still offered in three different specifications: the eDrive35, eDrive40 and hot M50.
The entry-level eDrive35 develops 291bhp from a rear-mounted electric motor, but now has a slightly bigger range of 311, up from 288 miles.
The mid-level eDrive40 uses the same rear-wheel drive setup but produces 335bhp and comes with an even better range. The previous model could travel up to 365 miles, while this version can go up to 373 miles on a charge.
That’s better than the rear-wheel drive Tesla Model 3, which can travel up to 344 miles on a charge.
Topping the range is the 536bhp i4 M50 xDrive. The all-wheel drive model develops 586lb ft from its dual-motor powertrain, helping it sprint from 0-62mph in just 3.9sec.
That makes it 0.9sec faster to 60mph than the range-topping petrol M440i. Range is up to 324 miles.
The i4 is set to go on sale in July, with prices starting from £50,365 for the eDrive35. Prices for the eDrive40 start at £58,460, while the hot M50 costs just shy of £70,000.
Tesla’s recently launched Model 3 Performance costs around £10,000 less than the 535bhp i4.
