2022 BMW i4 M50 Review : Almighty Five-0
Singapore – If you want the world to know that you are really pushing your electric agenda, the best way to seek attention is to build a go-faster car. And this was exactly what BMW did, when they brought us the i4 M50, their first EV to be allowed an M Performance badge.
A little while ago, Jay found joy in driving both the interstellar twins down under, and while he kept waxing lyrical, telling me “oh yeah, the 40i provides a better drive… you should have a go in both to know what I mean”; to which after getting some wheel time, I would agree with him in many ways. The milder 40i plasters a smile on your face, while doing this with only a single motor rear-drive setup. It still delivers a satisfying amount of driver engagement, and it does so, while being (slightly) easier on the wallet.
The i4 40i would go on to dual with the likes of a Polestar 2. And get this, in my opinion it probably drives better than the lifted Swedish fastback, the latter cooked in any style (click here for the Performance Pack version) (click here for the Standard Range model). The M50 on the other hand, is an attempt by BMW to set a different bar, and a high one it is.
BMW was wise not to call the car an “iM4”, even though on paper, it has some similar performance figures to both the M3 and M4. It is intended to be spiritually closer to the BMW 440i xDrive, or more accurately a “BMW M450i”.
2022 BMW i4 M50 Singapore – Grille
Visual differences between the M50 and the vanilla car include a subtle ///M badge on the grille, the removal of blue accents, and uprated M Sport brakes. Our press car received 861M 19-inch staggered Bicolour wheels, one of a selection of three 19-inch designs. There are also a pair of 20-inch options for you to choose from, great if you like less sidewall, and a higher chance for kerbed rims.
The i4’s dashboard is straight out of an LCI-ed 3 and 4 Series (in a time before the LCI-ing had begun), which means that it gets a futuristic looking full panel, supporting dual screens. The infotainment system is powered by BMW’s new Operating System 8, which is connectable through Apple and Android phones, voice-enabled and loaded with heaps of driver and convenience tech. Despite its sloping roofline, it seats four in decent comfort, and its boot accepts 470 litres on normal days, and up to 1290 litres in full cargo carry mode.
2022 BMW i4 M50 Singapore – Driven
On the road, the M50 feels much like an M Performance BMW should. But I must put out the caveat that as it is an EV, it will not deliver its drive in what we perceive as being “natural”. You squeeze on the accelerator, and the Gran Coupe covers ground, with it a tenacity similar to that of having an engine which is perpetually on-cam. Below deck, the M50 which has a bespoke adaptive M suspension, made up of springs up-front and an air unit at the rear, both have their work cut out for them. The M50 weighs in at 2215kg, a lion’s share of this is contributed by batteries, so even with wide rubber-on-tarmac, there is noticeable inertia generated when you begin to “chuck” the 4-door coupe into a turn. To help keep things in-check, the motor driving the front wheels does good work of mitigating some of that front-end plough.
2022 BMW i4 M50 Singapore – Driven
I will not deny that the electrified BMW has much less of a soul than its ICE counterpart. But where the signature inline-six soundtrack has left off, the M50 puts back with the inclusion of M Iconic Sounds Electric, which is co-created by Hans Zimmer and BMW Group Creative Director Sound, Renzo Vitale. Sport Boost mode amplifies the drive audio, peppering the driving experience with some additional ASMR. However, if you are not keen on Hans fingering your playlist, you could remove/reduce this by customising your drive mode.
2022 BMW i4 M50 Singapore – Driven
If you are one who feels that going electric has more benefits than disadvantages, the BMW i4 40, as Jay mentioned, is good enough, as it provides that alluring driving experience, while remaining practical for your day-to-day needs. The M50 on the other hand, may handle the latter in the same way, but as for its sheer performance, it is one which can snap at the heels of the class-above Porsche Taycan 4S.
PHOTOS Clifford Chow
BMW i4 M50
Battery 83.9kWh (80.7kWh net), Li-Ion, 400V Electric Motor 544hp/795Nm (sport boost) Electric Range up to 510km (WLTP) 0-100km/h 3.9secs Top Speed 225km/h Efficiency 19-24kWh/100km Dimensions 4783/1852/1448mm (LxBxH) Wheelbase 2856mm
Weight 2215kg (wet)
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