 The conversation with the man from BMW started innocuously enough. 'Do you want the M50 or E40?' he asked. I wasn't expecting the question and hadn't investigated the detail of either. When I did I was pleasantly surprised. The M50 has the equivalent of 544 horsepower; the i4 range-starting E40 a mere 340hp. The main difference is that the M50 has two motors and four-wheel drive; the E40 a single motor and rear-wheel drive. Both have the same 83.9kWh battery so that means the E40 wins the range battle with a healthy 348 miles (claimed). Figuring that 544hp would be largely wasted given my likely usage, I chose the E40. Based on the 4-Series Gran Coupé, the i4 has a sleek four-door body. As its name suggests, it is rather like a long coupé. Our model is in Brooklyn Grey with an interior in Tacora Red Vernasca leather. Externally it's a handsome sharp-looking design with the blanked-off grille that is a feature of BMW's latest electric models. Our car in more detail BMW has been busy on our behalf ticking the options list. Our car features the £1,500 Visibility Pack which includes laser lights and automatic high beam. Also included is the Technology Plus Pack. For £3,800, this has the Harman Kardon sound system and Driving Assistant Professional autonomous driving. Last and perhaps most interestingly, it's got the M Sport Pro Pack for £2,500. This has M adaptive suspension, variable Sport Steering, Y-spoke Bicolour Jet Black wheels, red brake calipers, M Sport seatbelts and the mysterious 'BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line with extended contents'. The latter evidently needs some investigation… Initial impressions are very positive. Even though our E40 is the entry model and significantly less powerful than the M50, as with all electric cars it still feels plenty quick from standstill and at lower speeds to put a smile on the face of){kind=link}
Fancy a fully electric car that doesn’t look like it’s powered by batteries? We test BMW’s answer with its sleek i4 saloon
The conversation with the man from BMW started innocuously enough. “Do you want the M50 or E40?” he asked. I wasn’t expecting the question and hadn’t investigated the detail of either.
When I did I was pleasantly surprised. The M50 has the equivalent of 544 horsepower; the i4 range-starting E40 a mere 340hp. The main difference is that the M50 has two motors and four-wheel drive; the E40 a single motor and rear-wheel drive.
Both have the same 83.9kWh battery so that means the E40 wins the range battle with a healthy 348 miles (claimed). Figuring that 544hp would be largely wasted given my likely usage, I chose the E40.
Based on the 4-Series Gran Coupe, the i4 has a sleek four-door body. As its name suggests, it is rather like a long coupe. Our model is in Brooklyn Grey with an interior in Tacora Red Vernasca leather. Externally it’s a handsome sharp-looking design with the blanked-off grille that is a feature of BMW’s latest electric models.