BMW will be using its latest electric technology when it launches the i4 mid-range coupe in 2021 - a zero emission car which is claimed to mimic the performance of a V8 model.

The i4 is currently undergoing development testing and is fitted with the fifth generation of BMW's eDrive power system.

Claimed to have a range of some 375 miles on a single charge, the all electric i4 has a powertrain developing up to 530hp - the same as the V8 engine BMW currently uses in models fitted with a combustion engine.

From next year onwards, the new eDrive technology will be introduced first in the BMW iX3 SUV before the arrival of the i4 the year after.

By 2023 the German car maker plans to have 25 models in its line up using electrified powertrains.

The i4 will be manufactured at the company's main plant in Munich, where other vehicles produced include the BMW 3 Series saloon with conventional combustion engine and plug-in hybrid drive, the BMW 3 Series Touring with conventional drive and from summer 2020 also with plug-in hybrid drive, the BMW 4 Series Coupe and the BMW M4 Coupe.

BMW says it is targeting 0 to 60 acceleration of around four seconds for the i4 and a top speed of more than 125mph.

The i4 has an 80 kWh battery pack and is designed for a charging capacity of up to 150 kW. This allows the battery to be charged to around 80 per cent of its full capacity in around 35 minutes.