Orders for the latest BMW i4 – the eDrive35 – have now opened in Canada as of this month, the most affordable edition yet stepping onto the scene with a sub-$55K price tag.
The new entry level eDrive35 joins the eDrive40 and the range-topping M50 on BMW’s electric i4 fleet launched thus far in North America. The $54,990 starting price (plus destination and handling fees) comes with an asterisk, given that the prospective owners can qualify for a $5,000 purchase incentive under Canada’s Federal iZEV Program. Potential buyers based in British Columbia and Quebec will also be eligible for between $3,000 and $7,000 of provincial incentives, respectively, as well.
Interestingly, starting prices for the ‘larger’ eDrive40 were also confirmed at $54,990 last July, though these have since increased to over $64K on the official BMW Canada website.
The Bavarian brand has also confirmed that production of the eDrive35 is set to begin this November ahead of first customer deliveries in the first quarter of 2023. With no North American production sites stated as of yet, examples will be imported for now from the BMW Group’s Munich plant in Germany.
Measuring 4,783 mm (just over 15 ft) in length on a 2,856 mm wheelbase (around 9 ft), and running on standard 18-inch wheels, the eDrive35 is the same size as the eDrive 40, with both four-door Gran Coupés featuring the same exterior to reduce production and redesign costs. Like the 335 hp ’40,’ the eDrive35 also features a single electric motor driving the rear wheels, albeit with a slightly smaller output of 281 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Enough, nevertheless, for a 0-100 km/h sprint time of six seconds flat and a top speed of 190 km/h.
The twinned 66 kW battery pack meanwhile means range is pegged at up to 418 km, a drop from up to 484 km available with the RWD eDrive40 on 18-inch wheels (this is eroded to 454 km on 19-inch options) thanks to the latter’s higher capacity 81.5 kWh battery. This though is still higher than the top of the range, all-wheel drive M50 xDrive model, which, on 20-inch wheels, tops out at 365 km (or 435 km, when equipped with 19-inch options).
Fast-charging options on the eDrive 35 – 180 kW DC – means 10 to 80 per cent of the battery life should be recovered in 32 minutes. Like its sibling, the ‘35’ will also feature BMW’s new Curved Display, complete with the new generation iDrive8 infotainment system, 12.3-inch driver instrument cluster and 14.9-inch central display.