In an effort to increase its market share of fully electric vehicle sales to 50% globally by 2030, the German automaker BMW has launched two electric vehicles (EVs) in South Africa. Local clients can now purchase its newest electric models, the battery electric iX3 and the fully-electric BMW i4, for prices of R1.6 million and R1.29 million, respectively.
When it made its global premiere, the BMW iX3 was the first model to use the fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology, according to the manufacturer. The platform is made up of an electric motor, a high-voltage lithium-ion battery, and an advanced energy management system. It is present in all BMW I electric cars and plug-in hybrids.
The BMW i4 is a four-door grand coupé that was created in keeping with the second phase of the group’s continuous journey towards electric mobility. By 2023, the car manufacturer promises to have 25 distinct electrified cars available.
According to the manufacturer, the development of the BMW i4 was based on a vehicle architecture designed for an all-electric drive system that enables a range of up to 510km in the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure cycle, a testing process for determining a car’s fuel economy, electric driving range, and emissions. The manufacturer says the automatic parking and driving capabilities offered by the current version of the BMW iDrive control system improve the driving experience.
“The BMW i4 is the BMW brand’s first purely electric model focused squarely on driving dynamics from the outset. Initially, only one model variant will be available from launch, being the first BMW M car with an emission-free drive system. The new BMW iX3 builds on its profile as a trailblazer for a new era of electric mobility. It comes with a fully-digital screen grouping a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and a newly designed control panel on the center console, for the gear selector lever,” says BMW.
The iX3 has a range of up to 460 km and a combined electric power usage of 18.9 to 18.5 kWh/100 km. A number of driver assistance features are included with it, including the Driving Assistant Professional with steering and lane control assistance, active cruise control with stop and go functionality, automatic speed limit help, and route monitoring. Among other digital services, BMW Connected’s online offerings include smartphone preparation for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as remote software updates.
The creation of the BMW i4 was based on a flexible vehicle architecture created from the beginning, for the first time for an all-electric drive system. This was done in keeping with the BMW Group’s continuing the second phase of transformation towards electric mobility.
The motors’ impressive torque, which is available at pull-away and is maintained over an extraordinarily wide rpm range, defines their performance qualities. The BMW i4 M50’s Sport Boost feature, which unleashes the drive system’s maximum output as well as its maximum system torque of 795 Nm, is activated by continuously demanding a lot of power for more than ten seconds. The BMW M model is able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds thanks to this. A 225km/h top speed is available for the BMW i4 M50.
ALSO READ:Centennial Schools benchmark a new era of educational change
