We first saw the BMW i4 in concept form just over a year ago. And its i4 SUV sibling has been teased by the German automaker as it underwent the last of its cold weather testing. In the wee hours of this morning the two new BMW i models debuted each boasting a two-derivative line-up. These models will be available in South Africa from the first quarter of 2022.

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BMW i4

Two derivatives of the BMW i4 were unveiled at the same time. The opening point of the range is the i4 eDrive40. This version sends 250 kW and 430 N.m of torque to the rear axle. 0 – 100 km/h takes 5,7 seconds. BMW estimates a range of up to 590 km can be travelled on full charge. That long range is available, in part, to a slippery shape that registers a drag coefficient of just 0,24.

More interesting for performance fans will be the first-ever battery powered M car, called the BMW i4 M50. This i4 variant has 400 kW of power and maximum system torque of 795 N.m from the two-motor powertrain. Drive is sent to all four wheels and BMW says the i4 M50 can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3,9 seconds. The racier of the two i4s has a closer link to other M cars such as the performance alloys and matte paintwork.

BMW iX

Joining the BMW i4 siblings are two derivatives of the iX range. The more powerful iX xDrive50 has 385 kW of power and 765 N.m of twist effort. The entry level iX xDrive40 has 240 kW and 630 N.m. Both these SUVs feature all-wheel-drive. The iX50 can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4,6 seconds, while the BMW iX xDrive40 hits the same mark from rest in 6,1 seconds. Range on a full charge is said to be 630 km in the BMW iX xDrive50 and up to 425 km in the BMW iX xDrive40.

Learn all about the new BMW i Models in the video below.