With the recent unveiling of the BMW i4, BMW has directly marketed a production-spec saloon to compete with the Tesla Model 3. The all-electric i4, along with the BMW i3 electric hatchback, the new BMW iX3 mid-size SUV, and the BMW iX high-performance SUV, will boost plans to expand its growing EV lineup.

The Munich-based automaker has been presenting concept visions of these vehicles for some time now, and this production model doesn't look to be much different. Along with the exterior, whose huge, imposing grille is BMW's current trend, as seen on the new BMW 4 Series, the interior promises minimalist refinement and more in the way of technology and infotainment.

Pricing for the BMW i4 starts at $55,400 for the lowest-specification model with only one electric motor. The performance model, on the other hand, costs $65,900. This is more expensive than the entry-level Tesla Model 3, with which BMW is expected to compete.

Another high-quality EV alternative, the Polestar 2, is in roughly the same price range and will prove an attractive conundrum for buyers looking to step up to their first electric saloon. Many may prefer the benefits of a well-established brand like BMW.

The i4 is expected to arrive in the UK and Europe by the end of the year, but not in the US until spring 2022. However, the earliest delivery dates appear to be sold out, so pre-ordering today means waiting until next summer.

Two BMW i4 models will go on sale next year. The base-level i4 eDrive40 and the i4 M50, the M50 is part of BMW's M division, which aims to produce enhanced vehicles that complement BMW's road car portfolio.

BMW describes the M50 as "BMW M's first purely electric performance car." Naturally, that performance comes at a price, with the M50 costing more than $10,000 more than the $55,400 it would cost to purchase an eDrive 40 model.

But there is more power under the hood to get you where you need to go quickly: while the eDrive 40 accelerates from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds, the M50 has a "Sport Boost" button to take full advantage of its 537 bhp and 586 lb ft to accelerate in just 3.9 seconds.

This power comes from two electric motors, providing all-wheel drive. In contrast, the eDrive 40 has only one motor driving the rear wheels.

The downside is that the M50 model is less efficient and uses the same battery as the eDrive 40. This means that the official range estimate is only 300 miles, 67 miles shorter than the eDrive 40.

From a design standpoint, this is the only thing that differentiates the two vehicles. The appearance of both vehicles is functionally identical, and the 83.9 kWh battery is capable of charging speeds of up to 200 kW.

The BMW i4 uses an 83.9 kWh battery and weighs an estimated 550 kg, powering a single electric motor. As a result, the car will be heavier, but its performance will be excellent. This is thanks to the fact that the BMW i4 is equipped with BMW's 8th generation system, the iDrive control system.

Initial official figures give the base model a range of up to 300 miles, but the performance model, the M50, has a range of only 245 miles. That increase in power still comes with some compromises. The M50's "Sport Boost" is also very quick, going from zero to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds, and its top speed is expected to be 124+ mph.

Interestingly, these figures show how much of a difference can be achieved by testing range under different standards. All of the above figures are from EPA range tests and are significantly lower than those calculated under the European WLTP standard. eDrive40 has a maximum range of 365 miles, while the M50 has a maximum range of 318 miles.

This is a big difference, and obviously we won't know which number is more accurate until people start driving the i4 on real roads.

The i4 supports a 200 kW charging point, so charging should at least take a short time. Once a charging point is found, the eDrive40 can recover 108 miles of range in 10 minutes, while the M50 can only recover 88 miles in the same amount of time. Again, the extra power seems to have some drawbacks.

The front end of the BMW i4 is dominated by another wild grille design, with bright blue decorations around the car. The i4 is also longer than the BMW 4 Series Coupe because of its four doors. The rear end features styling touches of blue, and the diffuser helps to break up the design with its contrasting colors. [The heart of the interior is the iDrive control system, built around a host of crisp, high-resolution displays and touch controls. Indeed, BMW's dazzling new curved display is expected to be a highlight, following the theme seen in the preview of the iX SUV. That model combines a 12.3-inch instrument display with a 14.9-inch infotainment screen boasting a resolution of 200 ppi.

The digital meters and infotainment are controlled by a rotary dial on the center console. Over-the-air updates allow new features to be added over time without a trip to the dealership.

Driving options include three modes to choose from: Core, Sport, and Efficient, allowing the driver to select performance, battery usage, or both. Also of note is a related feature that allows the driver to change the i4's exterior graphics and lighting effects according to the mode selected. The experience is said to come with custom sound effects developed in collaboration with Hollywood composer Hans Zimmer.

The BMW i4 will feature Level 2 driver assistance. While they do not go so far as to provide complete driver-free autonomy, they do reduce the pressure on the driver and allow for a more relaxed and effortless driving experience.

These features include lane keeping, blind spot detection, emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. These are pretty standard on most mid-range electric cars today, so there is nothing special about what the i4 offers.

This is especially true since the driver will likely be required to keep his or her hands on the wheel, even if the car does steer itself part of the time.

One must also consider that while the BMW i4 may cost more than the Tesla Model 3, it is designed as a luxury vehicle. Compared to other luxury electric cars, both models of the BMW i4 appear much cheaper. At the very least, the i4 will appeal to drivers who want a premium badge in their driveway.

As for range, 245-300 miles doesn't sound great. It's not awful, but it could be better. Especially considering the higher range estimates advertised for the same cars in Europe. Still, the numbers could be worse. The i4 M50 with Performance Gear is not as attractive there, but still offers increased speed and power in exchange.

BMW's luxury design and reputation certainly make the i4 an attractive car, as does its reasonable pricing. However, the range could have been extended a bit more - especially for the M50.