Performance Review: BMW i4 M50 - [2021]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW i4 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW i4 M50 is the 1 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2021. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2021 McMurtry Speirling Goodwood and the 2021 Rimac Nevera 1888bhp Electric AWD.This particular BMW i4 has a 0cc - Electric powerplant with 0 cylinders in a - formation.

Alternative Electric -0's includes the 2021 McMurtry Speirling Goodwood

The i4 shares its Electric -0 engine configuration with the likes of the 2021 McMurtry Speirling Goodwood and the 2019 Pininfarina Battista 1900. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the i4's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2290 kgs (5048 lbs) this makes the BMW i4 M50 in the same weight category as the 2019 Porsche Taycan Turbo S or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW i4 shares the same bhp with the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp)

In terms of power the 0cc 0V -0 engine produces 537 bhp (400 kW) @ 8000 rpm similar to the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (542 bhp) or the 2023 BMW 3 Series M3 CS 3.0 Twin Turbo G80 (542 bhp).

The - -0 throws out 586 lb-ft (794.5 Nm) @ 0 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (568 lb-ft) or the 2023 McLaren 750S Spider 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (590 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW i4 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2018 Bentley Continental GT 6.0 W12 Convertible (259.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW i4.

The BMW i4 has a Power to weight ratio of 234.4 bhp per ton and 255.8 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2021 i4 competing with the 2018 Bentley Continental GT 6.0 W12 Convertible (259.3 bhp per ton) or the 2022 BMW 3 Series M3 Competition Touring 3.0 xDrive (259.2 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW i4 generating around 255.8 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2021 BMW 5 Series M5 4.4 V8 Turbo F90 (280.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2019 Jaguar F Type R Convertible 5.0 V8 Supercharged (280.7 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 3.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 3.9 secs, this made the BMW i4 M50 as fast as the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (3.80 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (3.80 secs) the 2021 Mercedes SL Class 55 4Matic+ 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (3.80 secs) the or the 2020 Porsche Boxster GTS 4.0 PDK 982 (3.80 secs). This BMW i4 M50 is also faster than the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo (3.90 secs) the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 Steptronic (3.90 secs) the 2022 Porsche 911 Sport Classic 3.7 Turbo 992 (3.90 secs) the and the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4S Cross Turismo (3.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the i4 and the 2014 Renault Megane RenaultSport 275 Trophy

When talking about the performance of the BMW i4 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.17 secs @ 103.8 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2014 Renault Megane RenaultSport 275 Trophy (13.12 secs), the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG 4Drive (13.12 secs), and the 2007 Maserati GranTurismo 4.2 V8 (13.14 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2021 version of the BMW i4 M50 has a maximum speed of 140mph.

Top Speed of the 2021 i4 equals the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2021 BMW i4 M50 then how about the 2020 Lotus Elise Cup 250 1.8 Supercharged (151 mph), the 2013 Volkswagen-VW Polo R WRC 2.0 Turbo (151 mph), or the 2006 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi Edition 30 DSG (151 mph).

Related Links:

2021 i4 Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison