Premier: The BMW i4 Drive35 – a Fully Electric BMW Just Over $50k
by 
BMW is unveiling its latest fully electric vehicle today with the BMW i4 eDrive35. Focused on the lower-end of the model family, the i4 eDrive35 joins the eDrive40 and eDrive 50 models albeit with a lower power output and range.
The BMW i4 eDrive35 is driven by the same Gen5 eDrive powertrain technology found in the BMW iX and the other i4 models but with the wick turned down a bit. In the i4 eDrive35, the single electrically-excited synchronous motor is fed by high-voltage batteries with an energy content of 70.2 kWh gross and 66 kWh net. The motor sends 281 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque (preliminary figures) to the rear wheels, resulting in an estimated 0-60 mph time of just 5.8 seconds. As you can see that’s down from the eDrive40 model by just .3 of a second but off the M50 by over two full seconds.
| Model | Range (mi) | Horsepower | 0-60 mph (sec) | Drivetrain | MSRP |
| BMW i4 eDrive35 | 260 | 281 | 5.8 | Single motor RWD | $51,400 |
| BMW i4 eDrive40 | 282 | 335 | 5.5 | Single motor RWD | $55,900 |
| BMW i4 M50 | 271 | 536 | 3.7 | Dual motor AWD | $67,300 |
When optioned with the standard 18-inch aero wheels, the i4 eDrive35 is can deliver an EPA range of about 260 miles according to preliminary BMW AG tests based on the EPA’s test procedure standards. Utilizing DC fast charging (when you can find them), the i4 eDrive35 can be charged at a rate of up to 180 kW which allows the battery to be charged from 10% to 80% in only 32 minutes.
Inside the BMW eDrive35 offers the same BMW Curved Display (powered by BMW Operating System 8) that we’ve seen on the iX and other i4 models. Standard and optional features and equipment are unchanged from that available on the 2023 i4 eDrive40, and the i4 eDrive35 will benefit from the same quarterly over-the-air updates as other BMWs
Production of the 2023 BMW i4 eDrive35 will begin in the fourth quarter of 2022 at BMW Group Plant Munich. The first cars are expected to arrive in the US in the first quarter of 2023 with a starting base price of $51,400 plus $995 destination and handling.
