BMW i4 eDRIVE35 - TESTED 25.10.23, HAMPSHIRE ON SALE NOW

Less powerful motor and smaller battery slice £8000 off price of electric 4 Series

- MATT SAUNDERS

As the market for EVS develops, so the amount of money you need to spend in order to unlock some really enticing cars is gradually decreasing. It's happening slowly but just as the industry bosses said it would- and, very creditably indeed, apparently in spite of wider inflationary trends.

For example, after launching in the UK in 2019, the Tesla Model 3 has now finally ducked under the £40,000 barrier-just. And if you can extend your budget another 20% from there, you can now choose from plenty of tempting executive saloons, even from 'legacy' brands.

Look to BMW, where the arrival of the entry-level i4, the eDrive35, has put the green-plated 4 Series Gran Coupé within reach for a sub-£50,000 price - where it's up against Fords, Hyundais, Nissans, Polestars and Teslas, rather than Munich's traditional premium-brand opponents.

The order book opened in February, with the first cars reaching the UK over the summer.