The introduction and subsequent adoption of the electrified car have, in the last twenty years, evolved at a rate that makes the overall development of fossil fuel-powered vehicles laughable. What was once a novel idea is now a reality and, in the grand scheme of things, it didn't take long to get there. Even the excellent 2022 Ford Escape Hybrid seems a bit old tech these days. With this new all-electric technology, new doors are opened. Yes, it'll probably save the planet, but more importantly, this new wave of cars is fast.
The original and mold-breaking Tesla Model S should really be thanked for bringing the sporting potential of the electric car to the attention of gearheads. It made those obsessed with leaving nearly everything in their wake appreciate what an electrified powertrain could, and would, offer. The rules for acceleration and speed had been rewritten, and if BMW has anything to say about it, they will be redrafted once again. Master of creating high-performance cars that continue to push the envelope, BMW has now turned its attention to creating the ultimate in fast EV sedans. Rather humble in its appearance but less so in its delivery of mind-bending levels of speed, these are 10 things we love about the 2022 BMW i4 M50.
10 An Electric Beast
Watch out Tesla, the BMW i4 M50 has eyed you up for breakfast. Coined as the first 'true' all-electric BMW, the M50 is a very important car for the company. Arriving a decade after the Tesla Model S it is set to muscle in on the EV sector leader's vehicles.
With dual synchronous electric motors, the i4 M50 promises to be a superb real-world performer. Benefiting from fifth-generation charging technology, the M50 offers up a far more modern ownership proposition than previous EVs.
9 It's Embarrassingly Powerful
Bragging rights will never be a problem for an i4 M50 owner. Mustering a massive 544hp, the i4 M50 isn't exactly lacking in the power department. That's only 100hp or so less than a full-blooded BMW M5 CS, a car that will cost a third more than this one.
More impressively is the phenomenal torque figure. Blitzing that of the aforementioned M5 CS, the i4 M50 churns out 586 lb-ft of torque. Huge amounts of power are on tap instantly, with no waiting for turbos to spool or clever gearing to swap cogs.
8 A Technology Extravaganza
BMW has put a lot of work, and technology, into the i4 range, with the M50 being the ultimate version. Described as offering a new way of driving, the M50 is set to introduce purchasers to a new way of interacting with their BMW vehicles.
Lavishly appointed with the Drive 8 infotainment system, the M50 has a massive central 'floating' display. Working in conjunction with a smartphone, the system can be fine-tuned to a driver's own tastes. While the intelligent HUD can also be personalized.
7 No Range Anxiety
One of the major gripes with EV technology has been the limited distance cars will travel on a single charge. The i4 M50 dispels this fear by covering an average of 270 miles between plugins. With a 70% fast charge taking just 30 minutes.
More impressively is how the i4 M50 will take on up to 70 miles of potential range from a quick 10-minute fast charge. In the real world, that would give most users a day of mixed driving before another swift top-up was needed.
6 Fast Is An Understatement
Charging times aside, the i4 M50 is also breathtakingly fast on the open road. From a standstill, it will hit 60mph in 3.9 seconds. Hitting the Sports Boost button allows access to all the power for a 10-second burst of pure adrenaline-fueled rocketry.
On the move, the M50 is even faster, taking just 1.5 seconds to jump from 40 to 60 mph, that's Lamborghini Aventador SVJ-beating performance. Overtaking is now akin to calling on a 'Star Trek' type warp jump, with no passing gap seeming too small.
5 Hugely Practical
Just because it's faster than most exotic supercars doesn't mean that it's impractical, or uncomfortable. The i4 M50 is still a full-size sedan and comes with all the perks associated with a family-oriented vehicle.
Usual BMW high standards apply to the upholstery, trim level, and finish. Everything has a wonderfully well-constructed feel and there is plenty of space throughout. The trunk will also swallow 420 liters of luggage, making it almost cavernous.
4 It's Very Clever
Fitted with a single motor on both axles means that this is BMWs first-ever electric all-wheel-drive sedan. Combined with the M Division suspension, the i4 M50 harnesses all of that power to provide an envious amount of mechanical grip.
Due to the newest charging technology away from a public fast charger, the M50 will take on 63 miles of range in just under two and a half hours from a wall box. The i4 M50 can be loaded with impressive technology like a drive recorder and park assist too.
3 A Dedicated Soundtrack
Having no traditional engine beneath its hood, the i4 M50 does its thing in near silence. Knowing that a vast majority of its customers will miss the aural delights associated with speed, BMW has fitted the car with its own soundtrack.
Created by Academy Award-winning composer Hans Zimmer, the electromobility soundtrack changes depending on drive mode. Sport, Comfort, and Eco Pro all have their own unique acoustic feedback to distinguish their characteristics.
2 Better Than An M3
The i4 M50 will no doubt draw comparisons and competition from other sports EVs, but within its own stable, it looks as if it may have dethroned a legend. Now faster, more advanced, and as dynamic to drive, the i4 M50 is better than an M3.
Unlike the almost analog M3, the digital i4 M50 does everything faster. Power is not reliant on an archaic multi-staged process, it's available instantly. The i4 M50 is a product of tomorrow's technology, and the M3 is now something of a dinosaur.
1 The Inevitable Is Here
There will always be a place for fossil fuel-driven cars, but there is no dodging the inevitable. Electrified powertrains are the future, and they offer more benefits to gearheads than most will admit to. What excitement is lost in some areas is regained sevenfold in others.
In the i4 M50, BMW has delivered a car with performance numbers that make the need to buy a supercar obsolete. Access to this level of go has never been so obtainable and for those on a tighter budget, the lesser i4 models are also impressive performers.