The 2026 BMW i4 is faster than ever and it even goes farther

BMW is giving its most popular electric car a serious boost for the 2026 model year. The updated i4 arrives with a little bit more range and a decent jump in power for the performance model, now known as the i4 M60. Going into production in November, the changes focus on making the already great electric sedan even more competitive.

The secret to the increased driving range is a silicon carbide (SiC) inverters. An inverter is the bit that manages the power moving from the high-voltage battery to the electric motors. By using SiC parts, which are tougher and more resistant to heat than older silicon parts, the energy transfer becomes much cleaner and more efficient.

The base model i4 eDrive40 sees its estimated range now pushing past the 300 mile mark on a full charge. The eDrive40 with 18-inch wheels offers an impressive estimated 333 miles of range - a 15-mile improvement over the previous model. Even with the larger 19-inch wheels, the range is an estimated 307 miles.

The range gains are great news for everyday commuters, but top of the lineup getting a big dose of extra muscle. BMW renamed the performance version from i4 M50 to i4 M60 to reflect its new capabilities.

The M60 now starts up with 510 hp, which is a solid 41 hp more than the old M50. When the driver selects the Sport setting, the power jumps all the way to 593 hp - an extra boost of 57 hp. This extra muscle helps the i4 M60 to rocket from a standstill to 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds.

Thankfully, the power upgrade on the i4 M60 did not hurt its efficiency. Thanks to the same SiC inverters found in the entry-level model, the M60 also gets a small range bump. The M60 with 19-inch wheels offers an estimated 278 miles of range, an 11-mile gain. If you choose the aggressive 20-inch wheels, the range settles at 232 miles, still a 5-mile improvement.

Apart from the major powertrain and range updates, there are a few changes to the standard features. Every new BMW i4 now comes with a Seal & Drive Tire Kit (why wasn’t it standard before?), giving drivers a bit more peace of mind. Buyers who opt for the Parking Assistant Professional package will get a Drive Recorder, a neat feature that can capture video of your surroundings.

Style-wise, the Shadowline package now adds black mirror caps and M Sport brakes with blue calipers on the i4 eDrive40 and the xDrive40 models. These styling add-ons are also available to order as standalone options. Additionally, customers can now choose optional Glass Controls on all i4 models, adding a touch of luxury to the cabin.

Interestingly, the 2026 BMW i4 pricing matches the prices of the outgoing model year. The base i4 eDrive40 starts at $57,900 in the US. Moving up, the all-wheel drive i4 xDrive40 starts at $62,300, and the powerful i4 M60 begins at $70,700. The production of the new versions is kicking off later this month, with the first units arriving at the showrooms shortly after.

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