BMW i4 Gets Final Power Boost Before Neue Klasse Arrives With 593-HP M60 and 300+ Mile Range

BMW has rolled out significant updates to its best-selling i4 electric sedan for 2026, bringing improved range and a more powerful flagship variant just as the German automaker prepares to transition to its revolutionary Neue Klasse platform. The updates, announced by BMW and detailed across automotive publications, represent the i4’s final evolution before next-generation models arrive in late 2025 and 2026.

The timing is critical. These improvements land in a dramatically changed EV landscape where the federal $7,500 tax credit expired on September 30, 2025, and Tesla continues its aggressive pricing strategy with the Model 3 now starting at $36,990—more than $20,000 less than the base i4.

Silicon Carbide Inverters Push Range Above 300 Miles

The 2026 BMW i4 eDrive40, the entry-level rear-wheel-drive model, benefits from new silicon carbide (SiC) semiconductor components in its inverters that improve energy efficiency by roughly 5%. According to InsideEVs, the eDrive40 now achieves over 300 miles of range regardless of wheel size—333 miles with 18-inch wheels (up 15 miles) and 307 miles with 19-inch wheels (up 12 miles).

These SiC inverters make energy transfer from the 83.4-kWh battery pack to the electric motors more efficient while also being more resistant to heat than traditional silicon semiconductors. The same technology was previously introduced on the i5 range and now trickles down to BMW’s most popular EV.

The dual-motor i4 xDrive40, however, tells a different story. Despite the new inverter technology, its range actually decreased from the 2025 model’s 282-307 miles to 268-287 miles for 2026. BMW has not publicly explained this downgrade, though it may relate to recalibrated EPA testing procedures or updated vehicle weight.

New i4 M60 Replaces M50 With 593 Horsepower

BMW’s range-topping performance variant gets both a power bump and a name change. The i4 M50 is out, replaced by the i4 M60 that produces 510 horsepower at startup—a 41-hp increase—and 593 horsepower when the My Modes Sport setting is selected, representing a 57-hp gain over its predecessor.

The BMW M60 accelerates from 0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds, two-tenths quicker than the outgoing M50. That sprint time puts it remarkably close to the gas-powered M4 Competition xDrive’s 3.4-second benchmark, making the i4 M60 one of BMW’s quickest-accelerating vehicles currently on sale.

Range improves despite the extra power. With 19-inch wheels, the M60 delivers 278 miles (up 11 miles), while 20-inch wheels yield 232 miles (up 5 miles). The improvements come from the same SiC inverter technology applied to the eDrive40, demonstrating that efficiency gains can coexist with performance upgrades.

Pricing and Availability Remain Competitive—For Now

BMW held pricing steady for 2026, a notable decision given inflation and the expired federal tax credit. The eDrive40 starts at $57,900 plus $1,175 destination, the xDrive40 at $62,300, and the M60 at $70,700.

Production began in November 2025 at BMW’s Munich plant, with order books already open at U.S. dealerships. All 2026 i4 models now include a Seal & Drive Tire Kit as standard equipment, while the Parking Assistant Professional package adds the Drive Recorder function. The Shadowline package for eDrive40 and xDrive40 models now includes black mirror caps and M Sport brakes with blue calipers, available as standalone options as well.

Comparing the i4 to Tesla Model 3 and Audi A6 Sportback e-tron

The i4 occupies an interesting market position. It’s larger and more luxurious than the Tesla Model 3 but sportier than the Audi A6 Sportback e-tron.

Tesla’s Model 3 lineup presents a formidable value proposition. The Standard model starts at $36,990, while the Performance variant—which hits 60 mph in 2.9 seconds and offers 309 miles of range—costs $54,990 before any incentives. Motor1 reports that makes the Tesla Model 3 Performance significantly cheaper than even the base i4 eDrive40, despite offering superior acceleration.

The Audi A6 Sportback e-tron, starting at $65,900, offers a single rear motor producing 375 horsepower and up to 392 miles of range with the optional UltraPackage. It’s the most luxurious of the three but lacks the BMW’s sporty character.

For buyers prioritizing performance and value, the Tesla makes compelling financial sense. For those wanting German luxury and craftsmanship with electric power, the i4 splits the difference between Tesla’s tech-focused minimalism and Audi’s executive-suite opulence.

EVXL’s Take

The 2026 i4 updates are welcome improvements, but they arrive at a pivotal moment that raises questions about the model’s longevity. We’ve covered BMW’s upcoming Neue Klasse platform extensively, and the iX3 SUV is already in pre-production with deliveries expected by late 2025. The Neue Klasse i3 sedan follows in 2026, promising 30% better range and completely reimagined technology.

That timeline suggests the current i4 has perhaps 12-18 months before it becomes yesterday’s news. BMW wouldn’t invest in these SiC inverter upgrades if they planned to kill the i4 immediately, but the writing’s on the wall.

The federal tax credit expiration on September 30 fundamentally changed the game. When we covered the i4 previously, that $7,500 credit made the effective price gap with Tesla much smaller. Now, buyers face the full sticker shock: $57,900 for a base i4 versus $36,990 for a Tesla Model 3 Standard. That’s a $20,910 premium for German badges and build quality.

BMW’s production strategy also remains concerning. Earlier this year, we reported on BMW’s production halt due to tariff uncertainty since all i4 models are built in Munich rather than at the company’s massive Spartanburg, South Carolina facility. That vulnerability persists. If tariffs return or increase, BMW will face either price hikes or margin compression while Tesla and domestic manufacturers build locally.

The M60’s 593 horsepower is genuinely impressive—it’s BMW’s best-selling M model for three consecutive years for good reason. But compare it to Tesla’s aggressive pricing where the Model 3 Performance hit $40,490 after incentives in April 2025. Tesla’s playing a different game, prioritizing volume and market share over margins.

For EV buyers right now, the math is straightforward: if you want the best value and don’t care about brand prestige, get the Tesla. If you want the most luxurious interior, get the Audi. If you want something that drives like a BMW and happens to be electric, the i4 delivers—but you’ll pay a premium for that experience.

The bigger question is whether that premium remains justifiable once Neue Klasse models arrive with their claimed efficiency and range improvements. BMW might be giving the i4 one last hurrah before the platform transition makes it obsolete.

What do you think? Is the 2026 i4 M60 worth $70,700, or would you rather wait for the Neue Klasse models? Share your thoughts in the comments below.