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536-HP 2022 BMW i4 M50 Nearly Outruns the M3 Competition

Originally Posted by Car and Driver

The 2022 BMW i4 M50 is the brand's first electric vehicle to wear an M badge. Although it isn't a full-blown M car, it has what it takes to keep up with top-performing compact sports sedans and coupes from M in a straight line. In Car and Driver testing, it out-accelerated the M3 Competition to 60 mph and, to little surprise, overcame gas-powered "M lite" cars such as the M340i and M440i. When it eventually arrives, we have no doubt that the first full-M electric car will be a serious performer.

In our testing, the i40 M50 reached 60 mph in 3.3 seconds, 0.2 second ahead of the rear-wheel-drive M3 Competition and nearly half a second ahead of BMW's initial claim. And that's even with the i4's extra 1243 pounds compared with the M3 Competition on our scales. That's in part from its 81.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and two electric motors. One motor powers each axle, and the two combine for a total output of 536 horsepower and 586 pound-feet of torque. As the more powerful version of the M3, the Competition model has 503 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque from BMW's S58 twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six, sent through an eight-speed automatic transmission. An all-wheel-drive M3 Competition is now available, and although we haven't strapped our test gear to one yet we expect it to match the i40 M50's performance to 60 mph.

However, the M3 Competition displays its horsepower-to-weight advantage and beats the i4 M50 in the quarter-mile. The M3 passes the M50 after 80 mph and blasts through in 11.6 seconds at 124 mph, while the i4 is 0.1 second behind and traveling 4 mph slower. The i4 M50 takes advantage of its all-wheel drive and the instant torque from its electric motors, though, going from 5 to 60 mph 1.0 second quicker than the M3. Our test results also show the gap in passing speeds, with the M3 requiring an additional 0.9 second to go from 30 to 50 mph and an extra 0.7 second to get from 50 to 70 mph.

The M3 Competition is more capable in corners, achieving 1.03 g's on the skidpad compared to the i4 M50's 0.97 g. The M3 was equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, while the i4 M50 arrived with Pirelli P Zero Elect PZ4 rubber. Its lateral grip puts it more in line with the M340i, which had a max cornering capability of 0.96 g in our testing and was also equipped with Pilot Sport 4S tires like the M3. At our 15th annual Lightning Lap event, we lapped the M3 Competition xDrive around Virginia International Raceway's Grand Course in 2:53.5.

The 2022 BMW i4 M50's $66,895 starting price is a relative bargain for what you get in terms of performance, as the M3 Competition costs $7100 more. Sure, you can't get a purist rear-drive and manual transmission setup in the i4 like our long-term M3 test car, but the numbers speak for themselves. We can't wait to see what the eventual full-M electric models will be capable of at the test track. Check back for our full test and review of the i4 M50 soon.

[Technic]

So the i4 M50 is really a 11.7s quarter-mile car...

[spool twice]

Happy with those results, would love to see how it would do on the 19" setup with MPS4's, but I'm sure there will be more over time.

Was hoping for a higher than 120mph trap speed, but I'll take 120mph

But for something that's essentially an M440i, to me it should be compared more with that vehicle for performance #'s

[kjx]

They should compare a AWD car to an AWD car.

So, the i4 M50 to the M3/4 Competition M xDrive.

Comparing an AWD electric car to a RWD variant of a gas model and drawing conclusions is utterly misleading.

If there were an RWD variant of the i4 (?), comparing that with the RWD variant of the M3/4 makes complete sense.

Otherwise, it's just click-bait that shouldn't be rewarded with a click.

[techwhiz1]

Originally Posted by kjx

They should compare a AWD car to an AWD car.

So the i4 M50 to the M3/4 Competition M xDrive.

Comparing a AWD electric car to a RWD variant of a gas model and drawing conclusions is utterly misleading.

If there was an RWD variant of the i4 (?), comparing that with the RWD variant of the M3/4 makes complete sense.

Otherwise it's just click-bait that shouldn't be rewarded with a click.

The RWD i4 is not an "M" variant. The M50 is the "M" variant of the I4. Now they could have compared it to the X version of the M3/4.

[antzcrashing]

Oh the RWD comp. got it…

[spool twice]

Originally Posted by techwhiz1

The RWD i4 is not an "M" variant. The M50 is the "M" variant of the I4. Now they could have compared it to the X version of the M3/4.

Or the M440i, its platform mate that it's pretty much equivalent to, in which the i4 M50 slaughters is completely.

Though it is nice to see how much the i4 M50 encroaches on the current M3/M4, given that the M340i was encroaching on a previous-gen M3/M4 when it was introduced in acceleration measures.

[Technic]

It seems that you did not care of reading the complete article.

Originally Posted by kjx

They should compare a AWD car to an AWD car.

So, the i4 M50 to the M3/4 Competition M xDrive.

Comparing an AWD electric car to a RWD variant of a gas model and drawing conclusions is utterly misleading.

If there were an RWD variant of the i4 (?), comparing that with the RWD variant of the M3/4 makes complete sense.

Otherwise, it's just click-bait that shouldn't be rewarded with a click.

[AndroidRobot]

Faster doesn't matter when you lose the handling and fun

[KoenG]

Originally Posted by kjx

Otherwise, it's just click-bait that shouldn't be rewarded with a click.

Regardless the stats, it's still impressive how the i4 without the immense engineering heritage, is able to (almost) match the real M at a clearly lower price point and is more efficient.

I presume that when this article would deal with drivers' engagement and pleasure to drive, the M would be able to differentiate massively in its favor!

[MachinesWithSouls]

This article is on par with what I expect from what was once my favorite car magazine.

- it's not an AWD M3
- no mention of range. Isn't that a performance metric too?
- bring the M50 to lighting lap and see which overheats first.

[Teutonic]

“Nearly Outruns M3 Competition”…

LOL, for the first period when the battery is full and the weather is on the plus side. After that it will not outrun a 40 yo Corolla…
That is without thinking about the longevity of the car…

[Dinh335]

Everyone so sensitive … I think it's just a fun comparo not some definitive global statement

[kjx]

Originally Posted by Technic

It seems that you did not care of reading the complete article.

What do you think I missed? This?: " An all-wheel-drive M3 Competition is now available, and although we haven't strapped our test gear to one yet we expect it to match the i40 M50's performance to 60 mph."

The AWD M3/M4 Competition have been tested to hit 60 mph in 2.9 seconds stock.

We know exactly how it will turn out since we have seen enough reviews and videos of G8X RWD vs. AWD. And we know how the i4 M50 performs against the G8X RWD. The outcome is a foregone conclusion to anyone who's well informed - and it irritates such people that misleading-by-omission type articles such as this come out.

It's possibly BMW that is behind this in selectively providing press-car combinations in the hope of hyping up the i4.

Originally Posted by KoenG

Regardless the stats, it's still impressive how the i4 without the immense engineering heritage, is able to (almost) match the real M at a clearly lower price point and is more efficient.

I presume that when this article would deal with drivers' engagement and pleasure to drive, the M would be able to differentiate massively in its favor!

Certainly! It's an impressive car in its price point, and aside from the downside of not having Tesla's super-charging network, is easily better than the Model 3 Performance imo.

Anyone who may be considering a M440i should be evaluating this for sure. Test drives would be in order to evaluate comparative handling for each individual buyer. Lack of soul (noise, power curve, shifting characteristics, handling characteristics, chassis rigidity) is a deal killer for me but may not be for many.

[TheBingoBalls]

If you expect the i4 to be very different to the M440i Gran Coupe, don't. For the most part, they are very, very similar vehicles with the only difference being the powertrain (ICE vs. EV, obviously). The ride, the steering, how you sit and how you interact with the vehicle from the driver seat is what you would expect from today's BMW as a day-to-day driver/car.

I think BMW did a very good job in taking something very different with the i4 but making it feel like a BMW. If you're deciding between the two, it's really going to come down to whether or not you want an ICE or do you want to make the jump to EV.

[therealm3]

Originally Posted by Teutonic

“Nearly Outruns M3 Competition”…

LOL, for the first period when the battery is full and the weather is on the plus side. After that it will not outrun a 40 yo Corolla…
That is without thinking about the longevity of the car…

I don't get this statement. We are on our third electric car, and they don't get that much slower as the battery wears down. In day to day driving you can't tell the difference between 20% and 95%. I am sure an all out 1/4 mile would show a drop off, but who cares? No one does that regularly if ever. A lot of crapping on electric cars is just forum banter.

I would be all over an i4 M50 if it looked a little different. I still can't fully stomach the grills and I am not a big fan of the small rear doors/ big hatchback look. I am hoping a true sedan comes soon. Probably won't be till 2025 though.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by AndroidRobot

Faster doesn't matter when you lose the handling and fun

Ya but a huge portion of forum members are only concered with straight line. Spend hundreda if not thousands of $$ just so they can run light to light.

[M3ZCPNYC]

What is BMW really doing?

[Dinosoar]

Originally Posted by AndroidRobot

Faster doesn't matter when you lose the handling and fun

Heck Yes! ...says this (G42) 230i MSport owner!

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by Dinosoar

Heck Yes! ...says this (G42) 230i MSport owner!

Handling is very important as is a car that feels proper and has feedback.

[Sunnystone]

Originally Posted by kjx

They should compare a AWD car to an AWD car.

So, the i4 M50 to the M3/4 Competition M xDrive.

Comparing an AWD electric car to a RWD variant of a gas model and drawing conclusions is utterly misleading.

If there were an RWD variant of the i4 (?), comparing that with the RWD variant of the M3/4 makes complete sense.

Otherwise, it's just click-bait that shouldn't be rewarded with a click.

Oh I dont know, i think its good to see how the new breed of cars stackup in comparison to their combustion engined cousins.

Im sure there will be an xdrive M3 V i4 M50 vid out real soon.

[Sunnystone]

Originally Posted by spool twice

Happy with those results, would love to see how it would do on the 19" setup with MPS4's, but I'm sure there will be more over time.

Was hoping for a higher than 120mph trap speed, but I'll take 120mph

But for something that's essentially an M440i, to me it should be compared more with that vehicle for performance #'s

Hardly, its got more power and has AWD so surely the M3 is the logical right test?!


It is widely ackowledged the i4 M50 maybe the EV equivelent to the 440i but its still massively potent. You might even say it betters the M3 comp in a real world scenario away from the track.