Tesla Model 3 vs BMW Concept i4: in numbers
Tesla Model 3 vs BMW Concept i4: in numbers. We determine whether or not the forthcoming BMW i4 is likely to give the very popular Tesla Model 3 a run for its money by comparing them on paper. James Howe. The Tesla Model 3 is among the best electric cars on sale. It has won countless awards (not least the electrified performance car category in the 2020 Driving Electric Awards), sells like hotcakes even during a pandemic and is packed with forward-thinking technology and a near-perfect blend of performance and range. It’s no wonder that the automotive establishment is rushing to produce its own take on what has become a best-selling recipe for the Californian company. The Model 3 currently matches compact executive cars like the Audi A4, Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 Series on price, but none of those rivals can match its blistering acceleration, never mind its sophisticated electric drivetrain.
Now though, there are some cars on the way that could give Tesla some trouble. Due to arrive in 2021, the BMW i4 is aimed directly at the Model 3. It’s still a concept for now and details are slim, but a production version has been spied testing on public roads. It looks set to be the Model 3s most direct rival yet so let’s see if it might be able to compete. Prices and equipment. BMW will want to make sure the productioni4 has what it takes to tempt buyers away from the Tesla.
Pricing will likely run close to the Model3, which currently starts at just under $40,000, rising to not far off $60,000 for the fastest Performance model. Even at the bottom of that price range, the Tesla gets a good amount of standard equipment given its spartan interior but it’s the groundbreaking infotainment system that steals the show.
Displayed on a huge 15-inch screen, the system is used to control just about everything the car does. Its slick and well designed, but lacks Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with Tesla preferring its own system. The BMW i4 will have to match the Tesla in this area and if the concept is anything to go by, that’s exactly what it’ll try to do. A pair of large infotainment screens sit on the dashboard, wrapping around behind the steering wheel unlike the Tesla’s central unit.
The concepts system has a number of display modes that pair with ambient lighting; overall, it looks like BMW won’t be going for quite the same level of minimalism as Tesla. All Model 3s get a panoramic roof as standard, along with power-folding heated mirrors and Bluetooth connectivity; entry-level cars get12-way adjustable front seats and 30 days of included Premium Connectivity that is, Tesla’s online services. This includes sat nav with live traffic updates, music streaming support and an internet browser. Higher-spec models get a years worth of these services and add a better stereo, LED fog lights and heated rear seats. It’s not yet clear how the BMW i4 range will take shape. Previously, the German brand has been keen to set its all-electric i sub-brand apart from the usual SE, Sport and M Sport taxonomy of internal-combustion-powered BMWs but the i4 and forthcoming iX3 SUV could well break that trend. However its organized, you can expect thei4 to offer a high-quality interior and plenty of standard kit.
Range, charging and performance. A key battle between these two cars will be fought over the ins and outs of their electric drivetrains and exactly how useable the BMW is in the real world. Tesla has the market to itself in this respect, with up to 348 miles of range on a charge from the Long Range version of the Model 3, future-proof charging speeds and access to one of the best charging networks in the industry.
BMW has given details of what the i4s drivetrain may be like for production with some specs for its Concept i4. A range of 373 miles is claimed comfortably exceeding that of the Tesla from a slightly larger 80kWh battery. BMW hasn’t talked charging speeds yet, but it’ll have to come close to the Model 3s to compete.
On the performance front, its unlikely that the BMW will be quite as ballistic as the Tesla, but it promises to split the difference between that cars entry-level and top-spec models. BMW says 0-62mph will take just four seconds, with a top speed of 124mph. BMW will need to have a higher-performance model to take on the Model 3 Performance perhaps an i4s or i4 M could take on that role. Space and practicality. The Tesla Model 3 falls short slightly when it comes to practicality. The airy cabin is not actually that big; interior space feels similar to that of the BMW 3 Series, but rear headroom is a little tight and kneeroom is nothing to write home about. There’s more than enough space up front, though. The BMW i4 is essentially an electric version of the forthcoming BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe; they’re based on the same platform and so should offer similar interior space.
The cars sloping roofline could be an issue for taller rear-seat passengers, so well have to wait and see how it stacks up. And while the Tesla Model 3 has a three-seat rear bench, the BMW i4 at least in concept form only has space for two in the back. BMW hasn’t announced details yet, but when it comes to storage space, the BMW i4 should be comparable to the BMW 3 Series on which its based. That car has a 480-litre boot, so accounting for the i4s sleeker styling and batteries, something closer to 450 litres is possible. There’s no word about under-bonnet storage yet. Storage space in the Tesla is spread between a conventional boot in the rear and a frunk under the bonnet. The Model 3 is a saloon and so lacks a little flexibility in terms of access, but there’s a total of 425 litres of storage across both compartments, extendable thanks to split-and-fold rear seats. Cables can be stored under the floor in a separate compartment and the actual load space in the rear is deep enough to carry a few suitcases.
The Concept i4 has a glass roof much like the Tesla’s, so a saloon boot lid is most likely, but the previous 4 Series Gran Coupe featured a hatchback. We’ll have to wait and see what happens come production time. The latter could be a major advantage for the i4 over the Model 3 in terms of flexibility. Conclusion. On paper and with a rough idea of what we can expect from the production i4 it looks like Tesla could have a decent fight on its hands. The Model 3 remains a great all-round electric car, and for many the pull of the brand and its disruptive ideals is great. However, given our experience of the current crop of BMWs, it seems unlikely the i4 could be anything other than great to drive, well-built and up-to-scratch in technological terms. We’ll have to wait to see what happens when the i4 arrives next year but the signs are promising. www.drivingelectric.com.
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