BMW's first all-electric sportscar, the i4 M50.
BMW's first all-electric sportscar, the i4 M50.
As the pace for change to an all-electric future gathers momentum, BMW have adapted quicker than some other manufacturers with the Bavarian company demonstrating its ability to change and deliver desirable EVs. The move to electric and battery power has highlighted BMW's renowned engineering skill and its determination to continue to produce driver-focused cars; this is why the new i4 Gran Coupé is important for BMW.
Why is the new i4 important to BMW? Well, it's their first all-electric sports car and the M50 model is the first pure EV performance car produced by their ‘M Division’. It's not your usual performance BMW, it doesn't have a straight-six, so, can it be as appealing as the traditional combustion engine counterpart?
The new zero-emission i4 M50 is a stylish and sleek four-door gran coupé. The front end has the new kidney grille, along with vents and sportier bumpers. With top of the range 19-inch alloys sporting M50 blue callipers, neat air vents and carbon-fibre side-skirts, the i4 ensures it's a real presence on the road.
When you look at the profile of the car, it's got great lines. It's sporty yet elegant. The sweeping roof almost makes the i4 a coupé design. The addition of a small boot lid spoiler and sports diffusers help add to that sports finish. When you open the boot, you notice it's almost a hatchback. At 470 litres, boot capacity is fairly large and offers more luggage space than rivals. The passenger shelf is removable and, with the rear seats folded down, there’s up to 1,290 litres of space.
The i4 M50 isn't a pure EV platform and shares its underpinnings with the 3 Series, so you don't have a flat floor in the rear. Instead, there's a slight lip, which is more akin to an internal combustion engine for the drive shaft and exhausts, and, as there's a sloping roofline, taller people might find it a little tight but not overly so. There's easily accessible isofix points on the rear seats and two USBC ports, climate control and an arm rest with cup holders.
Standard i4 kit includes an automatic boot, rear-view camera, cruise control and auto air-conditioning, with the standard safety kit being plentiful and including BMW's Driving Assistant package with camera and radar assistance systems. There's also an optional M Technology pack, which upgrades to the assistant professional system and provides semi-autonomous functions along with a heads-up display.
The main cabin itself has a very similar feel to the 4 Series: sporty and well built. It's interspersed and finished neatly with carbon-fibre accents, soft-touch materials and leather. The i4 borrows its infotainment tech and curved display features from the latest iX SAV model. The 12-inch digital instrument panel is accompanied by a 15-inch touchscreen which blend seamlessly into a curved display. The screens are crystal clear and, once you've got over the initial plethora of apps and controls, it's easy to use. BMW's latest generation 8 iDrive integrates Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with ease.
Like other BMWs, you'll notice there aren't any physical buttons on the dashboard, meaning you’ll have to operate everything from the sat nav to heating through the screen, but once you get used to it, it's easy to navigate. You can adjust settings for regeneration, chassis and powertrain. And, as it's devoid of any engine noise, you can pick your choice of 'Iconic Sounds', courtesy of Hans Zimmer.
On the road, one of the first things you notice is just how quiet it is. It's so refined and the ride quality is excellent. Steering is sharp and precise, however, if you’re used to the hydraulic rack of old, you will notice a slight difference driving this, as it’s electronically assisted.
When you put your foot down, the response you get from the dual motors is incredible – it's instant. And because you have four-wheel drive, the grip is also immense. It holds the road really well and provides plenty of power where and when it's needed. It might not be as agile as some of its younger siblings, nor as light, but the i4 M50 can shift.
The seating is great, and the driving position and visibility are good too. The automatic gearbox is smooth and responsive, making for an engaging drive.
The i4 M50 is dual-powered, with a 190-kilowatt electric motor at the front and a 230-kilowatt motor at the rear which, combined, produce 544hp. 0-62mph takes 3.9 seconds with a top speed of 139mph. According to BMW you should get approximately 365 miles on a full charge. However, to be slightly more realistic, it’s important to remember that figure is dependent on use, weather conditions, driving style and traffic.
The i4 is fitted with BMW's fifth-generation eDrive electrical system, with the electric motor, transmission and electronics all contained in a single unit for better efficiency. There's also adaptive recuperation, meaning every time you brake, you help power up the batteries. And, if you put the car into 'B' mode - it helps give you extra regenerative braking, so, if you de-accelerate, the car slows and will gradually come to a stop without touching the brake pedal.
The M50 has stiffer suspension than the standard i4, with firmer springs at the front and air suspension at the rear. Over rough surfaces, the ride quality is good and there's no intrusive cabin noise.
The i4 M50 is an impressive car and it's fun to drive. The BMW brief of an electric driver’s car hits all the right marks. The engineering and precision that's been put into the i4 M50 is impressive.
If you find a 150-kilowatt charger, you can charge it from 10-80% in around 30 minutes. A DC charger at 50 kilowatts on the same range will take about 70 minutes, and a wall charger will take considerably longer.
The overall package of this car is very impressive. Buyers know what they're getting, they know it won't have that straight-six sound or feel, but will they care – probably not.
BMW offer a three-year unlimited mileage warranty, including free roadside assistance, and the high voltage battery is covered for eight years or 100,000 miles.
Prices for the BMW i4 start at £51,905 or £4,487.63 deposit with £721.61 per month.
The new i4 M50 Gran Coupé oozes quality, comfort and style and is a refined electric driver’s car packed with the latest on-board technology. It's a great all-rounder, with useful charging ability adding to its appeal.
