BMW i4 M50 and M440i Gran Coupe updated
BMW's biggest-selling M car gets a makeover for 2024 - ditto the much less popular petrol-powered version
BMW’s big news this week is unquestionably the arrival of the new Mini Aceman, an electric hatchback that might look like a startled fish, but is expertly targeted at buyers who can no longer fit their lives into a Cooper yet don’t want something as large as a Countryman. Expect to see one parked badly in your nearest multi-storey come the autumn. Alongside it - and undoubtedly intended to ride on the Aceman’s coattails - is the prospect of an updated BMW i4 and 4 Series Gran Coupe.
This, it turns out, is a facelift in the most modest sense. But on the basis that the i4 M50 xDrive has been the highest-selling BMW M model for the last two years, it’s safe to assume that some PHers have bought in to the idea of an all-electric mid-size saloon. For the record, we were sufficiently taken with the first model to call it ‘good’ and definitely no insult to the badge back in 2021. Which is handy, because to all intents and purposes, this is much the same 544hp car as before.
Well, 544hp with Sport mode engaged and for 10ish seconds that is, where you also access 586lb ft of torque. The result is spirited enough to send you to 62mph in 3.9 seconds - although even without Sport Boost, the presence of a 313hp motor on the rear axle and a 258hp one on the front means that the M50 isn’t usually found wanting in a straight line. Some people definitely did find its appearance wanting, mind - the i4 being a carrier of the Big Kidney gene, and it would probably be overly optimistic to think that the introduction of reshaped headlights and ‘a black high-gloss surround and horizontally arranged bars adorned by a BMW M logo’ is going to win over too many new admirers. But there we go, it’s intended to more closely resemble the M4.
The M440i xDrive Gran Coupe gets similar treatment and from where we’re sitting it gleans a bit more from the tweak on the basis that losing the shinier accents makes the grilles less noticeable - and therefore slightly more likeable. Much like the M50, the combustion car retains its previous configuration underneath, meaning you get 374hp and 368lb ft of torque from the mildly hybridised 3.0-litre straight-six. Rewind to 2021 and we liked the combination very much - although it’s safe to say not quite so many people took notice of the model’s introduction.
Inside, the changes are more significant as both models inherit the digital BMW Curved Display that corrals more functions onto the touchscreen, including all the lovely physical switchgear for those redesigned air vents. Additionally, a new flat-bottomed M leather steering wheel has been introduced and the front sports seats are now finished as standard in the latest M Performtex upholstery (although leather remains a cost option). Disappointingly, the M440i loses its proper gear lever in the overhaul, meaning you have to make do with the switch-style toggle on the centre console when it comes to selecting D or R or S.
The global launch for both range-topping derivatives is scheduled for July and production will continue at BMW’s home plant in Munich even as it begins its transition to solely building EVs in the future. If you’ve been waiting to go from old to new, the i4 M50 is priced from £69,995 (it was £63,825 back in 2021) and the M440i Gran Coupe starts at £59,545 (it was previously £54,670). Alternatively, on the secondhand market, you could expect to pay around £50k and £40k respectively for a lightly used used example of either with the old grille. And more buttons.
From memory the base list was about £72k.
te deserves noting more than a flat sales line each month. Add to that the propaganda led hypnotized EV crap renting free space in many a human beings empty sculls and you have the perfect follow me sheep off the cliff edge mentality. You've heard of battery hens. Welcome to battery sheep. It'll take a while indeed years for the realization and denial to sink in but it will.te deserves noting more than a flat sales line each month. Add to that the propaganda led hypnotized EV crap renting free space in many a human beings empty sculls and you have the perfect follow me sheep off the cliff edge mentality. You've heard of battery hens. Welcome to battery sheep. It'll take a while indeed years for the realization and denial to sink in but it will.Please, do tell, what is wrong with EVs, or better, what did they do to you?
After driving EV, I'm hooked. Quiet, smooth, never caught in the wrong gear, really really low running costs, fast... And note, I have a mid engined V8. But for daily transport nothing beats EVs. Nothing.
te deserves noting more than a flat sales line each month. Add to that the propaganda led hypnotized EV crap renting free space in many a human beings empty sculls and you have the perfect follow me sheep off the cliff edge mentality. You've heard of battery hens. Welcome to battery sheep. It'll take a while indeed years for the realization and denial to sink in but it will.I have had some quite fun stuff over the years, including various V8s: TVR Griffith, Jaguar XFR, Maserati GT and 4200 (both of which I still own now) and I have loved them all, and stil love driving them. But as EV8 has said above, for commuting/longer journeys/sitting in traffic etc - ie most daily miles for work for me, I would pretty much always take my i4. It's refined, so easy to drive, quick, and generally pretty effortless which is exatly what I want from my daily car.
We have just ordered an m50 through my wife's works so can only assume with the massive waiting time we will be getting the facelift.
I wonder if the same colour palate will remain? Was getting the san remo green and cognac leather.
Like most on here im a petrol man, got a v8 and obviously love it, but having watched videos of the m50 i am actually excited to get one. Savage quick in a straight line, very heavy but meant to handle ok but for me i don't hustle down b roads any more, too busy and too many pot holes.
We've got solar panels, my wife can get one for good money so this looks pretty damn perfect as a daily family car.
From memory the base list was about £72k.
I have had some quite fun stuff over the years, including various V8s: TVR Griffith, Jaguar XFR, Maserati GT and 4200 (both of which I still own now) and I have loved them all, and stil love driving them. But as EV8 has said above, for commuting/longer journeys/sitting in traffic etc - ie most daily miles for work for me, I would pretty much always take my i4. It's refined, so easy to drive, quick, and generally pretty effortless which is exatly what I want from my daily car.
te deserves noting more than a flat sales line each month. Add to that the propaganda led hypnotized EV crap renting free space in many a human beings empty sculls and you have the perfect follow me sheep off the cliff edge mentality. You've heard of battery hens. Welcome to battery sheep. It'll take a while indeed years for the realization and denial to sink in but it will.However, those banging the drum for them tend to be the ones that are able to charge at home, nearly half the homes in the UK have no where to charge.
I suspect that they are the ones where EVs would also make the most sense, those in towns and cities.
EVs tend to work for those in suburbia or out in the countryside or villages, but then those are the ones where EVs don't make as much sense. They are a lifestyle choice or a tax break for most, or allows people to get into a newer, more expensive car than they otherwise be able to justify, and that is great. For the family car they are perfect.
But listening to EV owners not just praise them, but telling me why I'm wrong not to have one, is getting tiresome, we have dinner tomorrow night and one of the couples going are both vegan and they have just bought a Tesla, I'm dreading it.
In all seriousness though, I would love an EV for the family car, but I'm sure many, like myself, are genuinely worried about the speed this is being pushed on society as half of society just can't charge them at home, which along with the horrendous depreciation and extortionate charging rates when out and about along with having to wait around to charge, makes them incredibly expensive, so it is becoming more and more of concern.
80% of all cars sold in the UK have to be EV by 2030.
It is just another subject that is creating divide between the have and have nots.
t as ever.Shame because it’s a decent looking car without the plastic tat thrown at it
The new 5 series is M-sport only which is sad as I loved an SE 5er... obviously you can still get the non-M sport in other markets!
The article mentions the gear lever has changed to a switch. But, that happened a while ago in the pre-facelift. Fair enough the writers live by press releases so they wouldn't know that!
te deserves noting more than a flat sales line each month. Add to that the propaganda led hypnotized EV crap renting free space in many a human beings empty sculls and you have the perfect follow me sheep off the cliff edge mentality. You've heard of battery hens. Welcome to battery sheep. It'll take a while indeed years for the realization and denial to sink in but it will.
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