The latest iterations of the all-electric BMW i4 and the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé are set to further cement their distinctive presence in the market with new design enhancements and the introduction of the latest digital capabilities. Already boasting best in class driving dynamics, both the i4 and combustion-engine variants of the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé benefit from refined and refreshed exterior aesthetics including newly designed headlights and optional Laserlight tail lights which enhance their striking presence on the road. Newly introduced exterior paint options and light-alloy wheel designs offer more choice and opportunity for individualisation.

Inside, both models feature the BMW Curved Display which integrates the latest version of the BMW iDrive with QuickSelect, based on BMW Operating System 8.5. This revised setup offers an optional Augmented View for the BMW Maps navigation system, enhancing functionality and user interaction. The cabin experience has been refined with new steering wheel designs, fresh interior trim elements and contemporary seat coverings, further elevating the luxurious feel of these models.

Production of the new BMW i4 and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé is set to continue at BMW's home plant in Munich, which is currently undergoing significant investment which will see the facility transition exclusively to all-electric models in future. The global market launch of both models will commence in July 2024, with key markets including the USA, Germany, UK and China. BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé is priced from £43,830 RRP in the UK, with the BMW i4 starting at £50,365 RRP.

*All figures relating to performance, consumption, electric range and emissions are provisional. All the stated technical data including fuel consumption, electric range and emissions figures relate to the offering in the German market. Dimensions and measurements refer to vehicles with basic configuration in Germany. These may vary depending on the wheel/tyre size and items of optional equipment selected. **Electronically limited. ***Price stated is the Recommended Retail Price which does not include On The Road costs and taxes. 

BMW i4: successful, trailblazing model with flexible drive system architecture.
The world premiere of the BMW i4 in 2021 established purely electric mobility at the core of the BMW brand. The i4 was the first premium model in the midsize class and brought the brand’s signature design, material & build quality, individualisation and intuitive operation together with locally emission-free mobility.

In addition, the unmatched overall design coherence of the BMW i4 continues to elevate it above all its rivals. Its sophisticated chassis technology – tuned precisely to the vehicle concept and the performance characteristics of the all-electric drive system – delivers an engaging driving experience in the unmistakable style of the BMW brand. The BMW Group’s technological expertise and decades of experience in the development of sporty premium cars come to the fore in the integrated application of all powertrain and chassis control systems – and instil the BMW i4 with sublime poise and assurance. Extremely dynamic acceleration manoeuvres are executed with exceptional traction and directional stability, while the car’s precisely controllable handling up to the limit heightens its agility and cornering dynamics. High levels of ride, vibration and acoustic comfort enhance driving pleasure over long distances.

With its overall concept focused on delivering compelling all-electric driving pleasure, the BMW i4 has spearheaded the BMW Group’s electric offensive. It was the company’s most successful electric vehicle in 2023, selling more than 83,000 units worldwide. And most recently, the all-electric variants of the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé accounted for around two-thirds of its overall sales. The BMW i4 has also acted as the driving force behind the transformation of BMW M GmbH into a provider of electric mobility; the range-topping BMW i4 M50 xDrive was the highest-selling BMW M model in both 2022 and 2023.

The success of the BMW i4 in Europe also played a major role in helping the BMW Group to lower its fleet CO₂ emissions once again in 2023. The company’s provisional figure of 102.1 g/km in the WLTP cycle was well below the European Union’s target of 128.5 g/km. This equates to a 2.8 per cent reduction in fleet CO₂ emissions compared to 2022.

The popularity of the BMW i4 also represents an endorsement of the BMW Group’s “technology-open” approach in the current ramp-up phase of electric mobility. The all-electric gran coupé was developed based on a flexible drive system architecture. Similar vehicle concepts now also enable BMW 7 Series, BMW 5 Series, BMW X1, BMW X2 and BMW X3 model variants with combustion engines, plug-in hybrid systems and all-electric drive to be offered alongside one another.

New design for the BMW kidney grille, headlights and rear lights.
The BMW i4 and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé feature a refreshed design that brings additional visual impact to the brand’s signature brand features. The surround of the BMW kidney grille is now finished in matt chrome. Due to the low cooling requirement of the electric drive system, the BMW kidney grille of the new BMW i4 has a fully enclosed upper section, which sits below a Black high-gloss surface topped by a matt-silver honeycomb pattern. The air intakes on the combustion-engine versions of the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé have a mesh structure with surfaces now painted in matt Quartz Silver.

As well as a front apron with large side air intakes, BMW i4 and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé models in M Sport specification also include a diffuser element in the lower section of the rear bumper, which is now painted in high-gloss Black. In addition, the exhaust tailpipes integrated into the rear apron on the left and right of the combustion-engine models have grown from 90 millimetres to 100 millimetres in diameter. Like the BMW kidney grille surround, if the optional M high-gloss Shadowline is specified, they are finished in Black high-gloss. Customers can also choose to order their cars with the M Sport Pro pack and M Carbon exterior pack.

The visually and functionally upgraded headlights also play their part in the modern appearance of the front end. The new structure of their LED units creates a focused look, with the low and high beam being generated from a single LED module. A pair of vertical and subtly arrow-shaped LED units house the side light, daytime driving light and turn signal indicator functions. If the optional Comfort Access is fitted, the new headlights generate a Welcome Light Animation once the driver and vehicle key come within three metres of the car.

Options include Adaptive LED Headlights with blue inlays, non-dazzling matrix high beam, urban lights and a cornering light function. The prism structure of the LED units for the urban lights provides a striking contrast against the uniform illumination of the daytime driving light units.

Where customers choose the optional Adaptive LED Headlights on the new BMW i4 and new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé, their vehicle will also be fitted with highly expressive Laserlight rear lights. This model-specific version of an innovative lighting effect employs a technology first seen in the BMW M4 CSL. Laser diodes each illuminate a fibre optic bundle giving the rear units an intricate light graphic, creating an exclusive light design at the rear of these newly revised models.

New exterior paint finishes and aerodynamic wheels.
The selection of exterior paint finishes for the BMW i4 and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé now also comprises the new Cape York Green metallic and Fire Red metallic shades. A wide variety of BMW Individual paint finishes and BMW Individual special paint finishes are also offered.

The selection of optional light-alloy wheels available to customers also features attractive new additions. 19-inch M aerodynamic wheels in double-spoke design can be ordered on cars specified with the M Sport package. Also new to the range are 20-inch BMW Individual aerodynamic wheels in double-spoke design. The two new light-alloy wheel variants each have a bi-colour finish and are fitted with mixed-size tyres.

New interior accents target progressive sporting appeal.
The modifications to the interior of the new BMW i4 and new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé are focused on digitalisation and achieving a sharper sporting profile. The upgraded BMW iDrive with QuickSelect enables a further reduction in the number of buttons and controls in the cockpit. The functions of the automatic climate control system and – if fitted – seat and steering wheel heating can now be operated by touch via the BMW Curved Display or by voice command with the help of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. New adjustment controls for the air vent grilles in the centre of the instrument panel and on the driver’s and front passenger side of the cockpit allow the airflow direction to be adjusted using rotating and tilting movements.

M Sport and M Performance models see the black seat surfaces fitted in new M Performtex. This innovative covering combines high material quality and a sporty design with low weight and a sustainability-optimised production approach. Sports derivatives of the new BMW i4 and new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé are fitted as standard with sport seats in Sensatec perforated. Vernasca leather trim with decorative quilting is available as an option and is also newly available in a bi-colour Black/Red variant. BMW Individual Merino leather trim in three colours can also be specified as an option.

Newly designed steering wheels and gearshift paddles now standard.
The new BMW i4 and new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé come as standard with a two-spoke steering wheel with polygonal rim and illuminated multifunction buttons in Sport trim. M Sport models now include an M leather steering wheel in three-spoke design with a flat-bottomed rim and a discreet centre marking in the 12 o’clock position.

All steering wheel variants available for the combustion-engine BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé models are now equipped with gearshift paddles as standard. The two paddles – on the left-hand and right-hand steering wheel spokes – enable super-swift manual interventions in the gear selection process of the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission.

High-quality materials, adjustable ambient lighting.
New interior trim elements in Dark Graphite matt feature as standard in Sport models on both BMW i4 and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé, helping to create a premium ambience of renewed sophistication on board. M Sport models include interior trim strips in Aluminium Rhombicle Anthracite. Also on the options list alongside M interior trim carbon fibre are the new Fineline Light open-pored and Grey Blue Ash open-pored fine-wood trim variants.

The ambient lighting – standard across the range – includes contour lighting integrated into the trim around the central seam vents. Like the lighting for the footwells, the storage compartment in the front section of the centre console and the door openers, this can be adjusted for colour and brightness according to personal preference. Users can choose from nine colours. The functionality of the interior lighting also includes an atmospheric Welcome and Goodbye Animation and light signals indicating an open door or incoming phone call.

The new additions to the options list also include the luxury instrument panel in Sensatec with a further refined surface structure, which features on the door shoulders too. Customers can now also order their cars with CraftedClarity glass applications for the gear selector, BMW iDrive Controller and Start/Stop button on the centre console.

Powertrain and charging technology.
The BMW i4 and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé are available in a wide spread of variants powered by the latest BMW eDrive technology or petrol engines. The new cars channel their power to the road via classical rear-wheel drive or the intelligent BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

Playing a key role in enhancing the sporty driving pleasure available in the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé is the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission fitted as standard with the combustion engines. It offers an ultra-sharp shift action and also enables swift manual interventions in the gear selection process. All the petrol-engined models feature gearshift paddles on the steering wheel for this purpose.

Combustion engines with 48V mild hybrid technology
The highly efficient petrol engines available for the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé, which feature BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, and on the six-cylinder electrification in the form of 48V mild hybrid technology, deliver an exceptional blend of sporting driving pleasure and fuel economy. Customers in the UK can choose from the six-cylinder in-line engine with a peak output of 374 hp in the M440i xDrive M Performance model or the BMW 420i Gran Coupé.

The auxiliary electric drive the six-cylinder petrol derivative takes the form of a 48V starter generator and makes output of 11 hp instantly available in response to the slightest movement of the accelerator. This electric boost enhances the drive system’s dynamic response when accelerating off the line and putting in mid-range bursts of speed. The electric drive unit also assists the engine when travelling at a constant speed, allowing it to operate within an efficiency-optimised load range as often as possible.

Chassis technology and driver assistance systems.
Agility, dynamism and impressive long-distance comfort are the defining driving qualities of the new BMW i4 and new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé. Outstanding straight-line stability, precisely controllable response to sudden movements of the accelerator and steering wheel, as well as composed handling up to the limit – even under high lateral forces – all help to produce the type of driving experience for which BMW is renowned. The extremely rigid body and chassis mountings, intelligent lightweight design, low centre of gravity, almost perfect 50 : 50 weight distribution and optimised aerodynamic properties provide all the necessary ingredients for a well-rounded vehicle character.

The double-joint spring strut front axle and five-link rear axle have likewise been engineered to reduce weight while increasing rigidity. Electromechanical steering with Servotronic function, an integrated braking system, the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system and near-actuator wheel slip limitation all come as standard too.

Model-specific chassis technology with a bespoke set-up.
Sophisticated chassis technology combines with the model-specific design and set-up of all components to ensure an ideal blend of sporting flair and ride comfort in all powertrain variants. In the all-electric BMW i4, for instance, the high-voltage battery is firmly bolted to the floor assembly and its casing serves as a load-bearing structural element to maximise torsional stiffness. Like the new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé range, the BMW i4 is fitted with integral tower-to-front end struts, an aluminium shear panel at the front end and underfloor bracing elements in the rear axle area.

The lift-related dampers are another factor influencing the handling characteristics of the new BMW i4 and new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé. Depending on the spring travel, these provide extra damping to control body movement when driving over large bumps and inhibit excessive dive. The system reacts to minor imperfections in the road surface with low damping forces that produce high levels of comfort. The BMW i4 is also equipped as standard with rear air suspension including automatic self-levelling. M Sport suspension, adaptive M suspension with variable sport steering and M Sport brakes can all be added to models equipped with the M Sport package to customise their handling characteristics.

Wide variety of driver assistance systems.
An array of advanced assistance systems are on hand to enhance comfort and safety when driving and parking the new BMW i4 and new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé. The front collision warning system with brake intervention and Cruise Control with brake function are both fitted as standard, along with Speed Limit Info with no-overtaking indicator, manual Speed Limit Assist and Lane Departure Warning with lane return. The standout optional extra is the Driving Assistant Professional package comprising the Steering and Lane Control Assistant and Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function, plus automatic Speed Limit Assist, route speed control, traffic light recognition, the Evasion Assistant, Crossroads Warning with city braking function, Wrong-way Warning and Front Crossing Traffic Warning.

Park Distance Control with sensors at both the front and rear comes as standard, as does the Parking Assistant. This system enables automated manoeuvring into and out of parking spaces and also features a Reversing Assist Camera and the Reversing Assistant. There is also the option of the Parking Assistant Plus with Park View, Panorama View and Remote 3D View functions.

Captivating dynamic flair with a distinctive edge.
The two M Performance models spearheading the range demonstrate impressively how the flexible drive system architecture can package the inimitable feeling of M in both a traditional and all-electric form. The BMW i4 M50 xDrive distils the signature M performance in all-electric guise. Its peak output even exceeds that of the BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupé, which has a six-cylinder in-line petrol engine with M TwinPower Turbo technology under its bonnet. The combustion-engine M Performance model also benefits from BMW’s systematic approach to electrification with a 48V mild hybrid system further sharpening its power delivery and optimising efficiency.

Both models combine their extremely powerful drive system with M-specific chassis technology and aerodynamically optimised body features. The latest M Performance models feature fresh touches both inside and out to give added emphasis to their highly exclusive form of sporting flair. In this way, and more clearly than ever before, the dynamism, agility and precision synonymous with the BMW M brand go hand in hand with distinctive looks and a characteristic cockpit ambience.

All-electric BMW i4 M50 xDrive takes pole position.
Two highly integrated drive units bringing together an electric motor, power electronics and transmission within a single housing help the BMW i4 M50 xDrive to top the output rankings. The electric motor driving the rear wheels generates peak output of 313 hp, while the unit at the front axle produces 258 hp. Together they create an electric all-wheel-drive system which is controlled quickly and precisely to ensure effortless progress in any driving situation. The fully variable system means power can always be distributed to optimum effect – from highly efficient pure rear-wheel drive through to an all-wheel-drive set-up that maximises traction.

A specially designed boost function is available to the driver in SPORT mode to initiate dynamic power delivery from both electric motors. This increases maximum combined output by 68 hp to 544 hp for over 10 seconds, at the same time as boosting maximum combined torque by 65 Nm (48 lb-ft) to 795 Nm (586 lb-ft). Activating the Sport Boost function enables the BMW i4 M50 xDrive to sprint from rest to 62 mph in just 3.9 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 140 mph.

Powerful six-cylinder in-line engine in the BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupé.
Displaying the appetite for revs and smooth running familiar from straight-six units made by BMW, developing a maximum output of 374 hp and peak torque of 500 Nm (369 lb-ft), the petrol engine powering the BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupé has all the tools to deliver a captivating performance experience. 48V mild hybrid technology producing an output of 11 hp is also on hand for an electric boost effect.

The power unit teams up with the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission and BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive to propel the BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupé from 0 – 62 mph in 4.7 seconds. The engine’s build-up of power is accompanied by an exhilarating soundtrack from the M Sport exhaust system. Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph.

M-specific chassis technology for smile-inducing performance.
The two range-topping models are each equipped with chassis technology tailored specifically to their respective drive system’s performance characteristics. Both the M Sport suspension on the BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupé and the adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers featured on the BMW i4 M50 xDrive include variable sport steering. The duo’s stunning performance capabilities are also partly down to their M Sport brakes. The petrol model also features an M Sport differential at the rear axle.

Both models ride on 18-inch M light-alloy wheels as standard, with further light-alloy wheel variants up to 20 inches in size available as options together with sport tyres.

New BMW kidney grille, M specific touches in Black high-gloss.
The BMW i4 M50 xDrive and BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupé underline their sporty character with M-specific design features producing eye-catching visuals. Both models now feature a BMW kidney grille with a Black high-gloss surround and horizontally arranged bars adorned by a BMW M logo. The front apron elements that were previously finished in Cerium Grey also come in Black high-gloss. As a result, the front-end styling is now even more closely related to the design of the BMW M4 high-performance sports cars.

The distinctive trapezoidal tailpipe trim at the rear end of the new BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupé likewise sports a Black high-gloss finish. The M Carbon exterior package available as an option for both range-topping models comprises side air intake trim at the front end, M specific exterior mirror caps, a diffuser insert in the rear apron and a model-specific rear spoiler all made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP).

Interior: M leather steering wheel and new seat upholstery.
The new M leather steering wheel in three-spoke design now comes with a flat-bottomed rim, decorative stitching in BMW M colours and a red centre marker, further adding to the performance experience in the cockpit of the top-of-the-range models. In the BMW M440i xDrive Gran Coupé, the steering wheel also features gearshift paddles for changing gear manually.

The sport seats in both models are finished in new M Performtex upholstery with black surfaces and M piping as standard. Both the standard seats and the optional M Sport seats can be optionally specified in Vernasca leather upholstery, which now comes in a choice of Black with blue contrast quilting or the new Black/Red bi-colour finish. Also standard in the M Performance models are interior trim elements in Aluminium Rhombicle Anthracite, M door sill trim, M pedals, an M driver’s footrest, an anthracite-coloured headliner and M-specific graphics for the BMW Curved Display.

BMW Operating System 8.5
The latest generation of the BMW iDrive display and control/operation system with QuickSelect based on BMW Operating System 8.5 opens up a new way of intuitively controlling vehicle functions and accessing digital services in the BMW i4 and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé. With the digital BMW Curved Display screen grouping and the expanded capabilities of the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, the driver-centric cockpit has been geared squarely to operation using touch control and natural language.

The climate control functions are also operated digitally in the new BMW i4 and new BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé, enabling a further reduction in the number of physical buttons and controls. The control/operation system additionally comprises multifunction buttons on the steering wheel, the BMW iDrive Controller and, as an option, the BMW Head-Up Display.

BMW iDrive with QuickSelect: key functions available with one touch.
The system’s QuickSelect feature paves the way for an improved menu structure that takes its cue from consumer electronics devices. It allows the driver to navigate to functions directly from the newly arranged home screen without having to enter submenus. The new, flat menu structure makes it much easier to switch between different functions and helps the driver to focus their attention on what’s happening on the road.

The new home screen continuously displays the navigation system’s map view or other individually configurable graphics on the control display. On the same level, there is a vertical bar on the driver’s side of the display containing widgets that can now be individually selected and arranged. The BMW i4 also includes a widget for the charging functions. Some of the widgets can also be swiped horizontally to show additional content. The related functions can then be called up directly with QuickSelect. Once the relevant settings have been chosen, a quick tap on the home icon at the lower edge of the control display is all it takes to return to the home screen. Icons for direct access to the climate control menu, All Apps menu and, if activated, Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto™ can also now be found next to the home icon.

BMW Maps navigation system with new charging-optimised route guidance and Augmented View.
The cloud-based BMW Maps navigation system forms part of the standard BMW Live Cockpit Plus. Underpinned by BMW Operating System 8.5, the system now makes it even easier to input destinations and can offer additional information while driving. Further enhancements include better usability of filters, a flatter menu structure with touch buttons shown directly on the map view and proactive route recommendations.

The latest version of BMW Maps also gives BMW i4 drivers access – both from the vehicle and via the My BMW App – to improved functions that enable charging-optimised route planning over long journeys at a level of precision no rival can match. The charging stops are planned so that the selected destination is reached as quickly as possible. The driver’s preferred minimum charge level when arriving at mid-journey stops and the final destination can be adjusted in increments of five per cent and incorporated into the route planning. The system can also give preference to charging stations operated by selected providers and exclude others from the route planning at the driver’s request. The system will then propose the latter only if there seems to be no alternative for an efficient route without any large detours.

Additional information is provided for the selected charging stations, such as supported connector types and payment options, as well as the availability of sanitary, catering or shopping facilities in the vicinity. The expected duration of the planned charging stop and the resulting electricity costs can also be shown in advance. The closer the vehicle gets to a scheduled mid-journey stop, the more frequently the availability of the charging point is checked so that an alternative route can be recommended in good time if necessary. Regardless of the charging-optimised route given, a continuous stream of alternative charging options is also displayed, e.g. for spontaneous mid-journey breaks.

Specifying the optional BMW Live Cockpit Professional adds not only the full-colour BMW Head-Up Display but also the Augmented View function. This offers contextual, real-time information to complement the navigation system’s map display by showing a live video stream of the driver’s view on the control display or instrument cluster and augmenting it with information that is currently relevant. At confusing junctions, for instance, an animated directional arrow is integrated into the video image to help the driver take the best turn-off for the planned route.

Personalisation and remote access with BMW ID and My BMW App.
BMW Operating System 8.5 also makes it even easier to personalise the user experience in the BMW i4 and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé. Signing in to the vehicle by scanning a QR code with a smartphone is all it takes to import the customer’s personal profile, load synchronisable settings and automatically link the key detected in the vehicle with the BMW ID.

The vehicle is also automatically added to the My BMW App. Available free of charge from the app stores for both iOS and Android, the My BMW App acts as a universal digital interface that provides information on the vehicle’s condition, charging status or remaining range at any time. Depending on the vehicle specification, it also gives the user access to various remote functions. For example, the vehicle can be located remotely via the My BMW App and the doors locked and unlocked. The Remote 3D View and Remote Inside View functions included with the optional Parking Assistant Plus give drivers the ability to call up a three-dimensional live image of their vehicle’s immediate vicinity and its interior on their smartphone.

The My BMW App can also be used to send destination addresses from the user’s smartphone to the vehicle’s navigation system for route planning and to initiate, purchase or extend ConnectedDrive Upgrades. It is also possible to control the charging process and pre-conditioning for the BMW i4 from the My BMW App. The My Trips feature including Efficiency Trainer and monthly review provides the user with data and evaluations for distances travelled, consumption and average speed, as well as offering helpful tips for driving more efficiently.

BMW Charging with fixed kWh prices for public charging
The key benefit of the BMW Charging offering is the attractive kWh prices offered for AC and DC charging in Europe under the Active tariff, which are set for each country and remain the same regardless of the operator or the price shown. The high-power charging network run by the BMW Group’s joint venture IONITY – which is compatible with the Plug & Charge functionality – also forms part of the BMW Charging network. The basic monthly fee for the IONITY Plus package and the BP Pulse package is waived for BMW i4 drivers for the first 12 months.

Sustainability in product design and manufacturing.
Sustainable business practices are an integral part of the BMW Group’s corporate strategy. The company has not only shown an unwavering commitment to pushing forward the electrification of all its drive systems but also worked tirelessly to increase the efficiency of its entire product portfolio. Indeed, it has achieved consistent reductions in the fuel consumption and emissions of its models powered by combustion engines and raised the energy efficiency and range of its all-electric vehicles, without compromising on BMW’s hallmark driving pleasure.

Back in 2007, the company launched the BMW EfficientDynamics package of measures and technology as part of the development process. It was conceived to give the company’s vehicles the highest possible output while minimising energy consumption. This overarching concept includes everything from the further development of all drive systems to improvements in energy and heat management, optimisation of aerodynamics, weight reduction through intelligent lightweight design and the integration of digital efficiency functions. It represents an integrated approach to reducing a vehicle’s environmental footprint that extends over its entire lifecycle – from development, the procurement of raw materials and the use of secondary materials, to the production, use and subsequent recycling of the vehicle according to circular economy principles. For the BMW Group, sustainability and premium characteristics are inextricably linked, rather than competing forces.

In addition, the BMW Group is committed to the Paris Climate Agreement which means it is pursuing specifically defined CO₂e reduction targets for its supply chain, production and use phase. For example, the company is aiming to cut CO₂ emissions by 40 per cent per vehicle across the entire value chain by 2030, compared with the figures from 2019. The BMW Group is pursuing the objective of full climate neutrality throughout the value chain by 2050 at the latest.

CO₂-optimised production with 100 per cent green energy.
Since 2020 all the locations in the BMW Group’s worldwide production network have been supplied exclusively with electricity generated from renewable sources. Some of the green energy is supplied via direct contracts with regional providers, which further improves the environmental credentials of the electricity we use due to the short supply distances involved. For example, the green electricity needed for production of the BMW i4 and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé at BMW’s home plant in Munich will come from hydroelectric power stations in the region.

Other measures aimed at increasing sustainability include incrementally improving energy efficiency in the production processes, optimised packaging planning and transport logistics, plus recycling and water management.

With the aim of preventing waste, the BMW Group employs coordinated recycling and processing concepts that are tailored to waste flows at the individual plants, to the legal requirements in place in the relevant region and to the disposal structures available at the site. In 2023, 99.4 per cent  of the waste generated during production was recycled or recovered. The quantity of waste for disposal per vehicle produced fell by 22.6 per cent over the previous year to 2.12 kilograms – a significant drop. The high recycling and recovery rate at the BMW Group should be maintained as the company navigates the ongoing transition to electric mobility.

The ‘secondary first’ approach: step by step to a circular economy.
The BMW Group’s exacting sustainability goals include increasing the use of secondary raw materials in vehicle production. The company is pursuing a circular economy vision in which raw materials are kept in circulation for as long as possible. This should then reduce the use of primary materials, the associated mining of new raw materials and the energy- and CO2-intensive processing of those materials.

In line with its “secondary first” approach, the BMW Group is set to expand the use of secondary materials, given the requisite market availability and technical feasibility. The alloy wheel rims for BMW vehicles are already made of 70 per cent recycled aluminium. And bio-based colours are being used for matt paint finishes in an increasing number of factories.

Similarly, using secondary materials and green electricity has also cut CO₂ emissions from the production of the battery cells for fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology – by around 40 per cent since 2021 compared with a conventional manufacturing method. Added to this, during the development of the battery cells now in use, the proportion of the critical material cobalt contained in the cathode material was reduced to ten per cent of the amount found in the previous-generation battery. As with the light metal lithium also needed for battery cell production, the cobalt is obtained under transparent conditions that are monitored regularly by the BMW Group. The company can therefore ensure that environmental and sustainability guidelines are observed during the mining and processing of cobalt and lithium and that there are no violations of human rights. The second use and recycling of high-voltage batteries in initiator projects is also already part of the BMW Group’s sustainability concept.

The current-excited synchronous motor design principle of the electric motors in the BMW i4 also stands out, allowing the engineers to avoid using the rare earths that would otherwise be required to manufacture permanent magnets. Short transport routes and regionally based suppliers play a decisive role, especially with regard to sustainable supply chains. To ensure that purchasing takes place as close as possible to the respective production site, the principle guiding the BMW Group’s global sourcing strategy is ‘local for local’.

Efficiency Trainer helps to achieve a more efficient driving style.
Alongside the BMW EfficientDynamics technology, a key influencing factor in achieving low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions during the use phase is an efficient driving style. The Efficiency Trainer in the My BMW App assists the driver with tips on how to adopt a sustainability-optimised driving style. To this end, the digital assistant analyses completed journeys and provides both tips for improvements and incentives by comparing the driver’s fuel consumption with figures posted by other users in the BMW community.

In addition, the high-voltage battery in the BMW i4 will be charged using 100 per cent green energy when the customer is using the DC fast-charging stations in Europe operated by the IONITY high-power charging network co-founded by the BMW Group. Each time the customer charges their car using one of these stations, they are therefore helping to shrink the vehicle’s carbon footprint in the use phase.