This is our first clear look at the third model in the BMW i range, the i4 Gran Coupe. It might give you some comfort to note that this appears to be the vehicle that has been touted around as the replacement for the 4 Series Gran Coupe, in the shape of the Concept 4. However, while big kidney grilles are not an impossibility on the next 4 GC, these gargantuan upright items on the i4 are more of a BMW electric thing; see the Vision iNext for details. And, do you know what? Beyond the honking great 'grilles', which are hideous... the Concept i4 doesn't look bad. Not bad at all. Its Frozen Light Copper paint is highlighted with blue details, to highlight the BMW i origins, while there are a wealth of aerodynamic measures built-in to try and maximise the electric range. The interior is pure concept-car fantasy, with a stark, ultra-clean minimalist look and lounge-like chairs. It probably won't make production but the idea of housing all operating functions in the Curved Display might. Onto the juicy (or not-juicy, in terms of their electric nature) bits, fifth-generation eDrive technology is found in the i4 Concept and this Beemer has a thumping 390kW (530hp) engine, which means it is as powerful as some of the firm's high-performance V8s. That means it can rip off 0-62mph in four seconds dead and go on to more than 124mph (EVs don't tend to have massive top speeds, but that's not bad at all), but with a 550kg lithium-ion battery pack rated at 80kWh, BMW is claiming the i4 Concept has a WLTP-ratified range of 373 miles. Series production of the i4 will begin next year at the main plant in Munich, with 90 per cent of the equipment needed to build the EV already in place. A further investment of €200 million (around £175m) will be required to get the rest of the line's equipment in place.

Matt Robinson - 3 Mar 2020