The BMW i4 – a proper Beemer, but electric
The new electric BMW i4 saloon will suit drivers who don’t want to let petrol power go, says Jasper Spires
BMW began its foray into the electric-vehicle (EV) world nine years ago with the i3 hatchback – “a courageous and radical little car that didn’t quite work”, says Steve Cropley in Autocar. But the new i4 “sits at the other end of the engineering and styling spectrum”. This mid-sized saloon doesn’t take the “I’m-electric-so-I’m-different route”. Instead, it “adopts relatively familiar Gran Sport four-door body styling that looks sleek and sporty, but doesn’t frighten the horses”.
“The i4 is built for those who traditionally shun EVs thinking they are cold and clinical and are looking for more spirited drives,” says Jeremy White on Wired. The steering is “famously precise”, coupled with the kind of performance that means drivers must keep their wits about them. It’s a car for those who have “let petrol power go, but can’t bear to see it leave”.
“The ‘entry-level’ eDrive40 model, with rear-wheel drive and one electric motor, competes with everything from small premium SUVs… through to the award winning Tesla Model 3,” says WhatCar. It produces 335bhp and goes from zero to 62mph in 5.7 seconds, with an official range of 367 miles. That’s enough for most drivers, “but if you’re the kind of person who finds roller coasters a bit boring”, there’s the “range-topping” M50 with two motors and four-wheel drive. This produces a “whopping 536bhp” – pitching it against the Model 3 Performance and Polestar 2 – races from zero to 62mph in 3.9 seconds, and has a range of 318 miles.
MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
The M50 is “seriously fast” in its sport boost setting, says TopGear, yet the milder modes make it “easy to dawdle”. It’s a “better steer” than Tesla’s Model 3, has the range for most road trips, and charges fast. “This is a proper BMW.”
Get the latest financial news, insights and expert analysis from our award-winning MoneyWeek team, to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
Jasper is a former writer for the MoneyWeek and he wrote on an array of topics including travel, investing in crypto and bitcoin, as well as cars. Previous to that he freelanced at The Art Newspaper, PORT Magazine and The Spectator. Jasper is currently a freelance writer at FAD magazine and he has an English literature degree from the University of Exeter, and a Master's degree from UCL.
-
Jim O’Neill on nearly 25 years of the BRICSJim O’Neill, who coined the acronym BRICS in 2001, tells MoneyWeek how the group is progressing
-
Build or innovate? How to solve the productivity puzzleOpinion There are two main schools of thought when it comes to solving the productivity puzzle, says David C. Stevenson
-
8 of the best converted industrial properties for saleThe best converted industrial properties for sale – from a Victorian railway station in Norfolk to a Grade II-listed former water tower with views of the River Alde
-
Review: Villa d'Este – a Christmas spectacle on Lake ComoTravel Villa d’Este, on the shores of Lake Como in Italy, is a magical place in which to celebrate the festive season
-
Aircraft leasing companies can lift investors' portfoliosThe aircraft leasing business is a safer way to cash in on air travel and its booming demand. David Prosser explains how it works and how to access it
-
8 of the best houses for sale with fishing rightsThe best houses for sale with fishing rights – from a Georgian property on the banks of the River Derwent, County Durham, to a restored mill house in Marlborough with fishing rights on the River Kennet
-
How dinosaur fossils became collectables for the mega-richDinosaur fossils are prized like blue-chip artworks and are even accelerating past the prices of many Old Masters paintings, says Chris Carter
-
Review: Stank House Farm – a cosy cottage in YorkshireTravel Stank House Farm is a charming holiday cottage in North Yorkshire, close to Bolton Abbey and several wonderful walks
-
'Why I launched MoneyWeek'Inspired by The Week and uninspired by the financial press, Jolyon Connell decided it was time for a new venture. That's where MoneyWeek came in
-
Review: Relais & Châteaux – a world of wine and art in the Western CapeTravel Relais & Châteaux, the association of independent luxury hotels, offers a refined experience in Cape Town and Stellenbosch, in South Africa
