Driving dynamics and performance are at the heart of the BMW i4 M50i, the first ever BEV built under the M brand. Electric motors power this powerful vehicle's front and rear axles. As you demand a lot of power for more than ten seconds, a mechanism is known as a sports boost. It kicks in and unleashes 400kW of power and 795Nm of torque for brain-rattling acceleration.

The claim sums to 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, with a top speed of 225 km/h. The distance in charge is 510 kilometers.

Will I get the chance to stretch the BMW i4 M50's legs during our trip to support this? Nowhere nearby. Keep this car trapped for ten seconds, and you'll travel very close to full speed before you've covered more than 400 meters of extremely public and urban tar. In Midland, this corresponds to a sizable bribe or some prison meals. But unfortunately, I can't wait until my Geotech test day.

The model

All current electric performance vehicles are incredibly fast in a straight line. Still, they have, at best, questionable handling because of the additional weight brought on by the batteries needed to power the electric motors.

But since BMW's handling is as superb as anything this class has to offer, thanks to a center of gravity that is 53mm lower than that of the BMW 3 Series sedan along with weight distribution, a torsionally rigid and weight-minimized body, and optimized aerodynamics. With features including a coasting function on wide roads, high, medium, and low levels of brake energy regeneration when in D, and a maximum level of recovery when in B for that distinct one-pedal BEV feeling, adaptive recuperation increases efficiency and range.

  • Price: R1.6 million

BMW iX3

The BMW i4 M50 will get you focused; the iX3 will not, even with the basic M Sport package, which includes twenty-inch M aerodynamic alloys and adaptive LED lighting. It's a BEV X3 that you won't have to spend a bunch to refuel. And none of it is negative at all.

The BMW iX3 has a highly integrated drive system that combines an electric motor, transmission, and power electronics into a single unit. As a result, you get 210kW of power and 400Nm of torque while solely using the rear wheels. This SUV feels among the more typical SUVs I've driven on the road. It's still quick, with a stated 0 to 100km/h time of 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 180km/h, but it won't make your passengers throw up after a few accelerations run or snap Aunt Mable's neck when you pull away at the traffic lights.

iX3 Charging

The 80kWh battery has a stated range of 460km, and charging it overnight would only cost me R240 at the current electricity rate. To go the same distance in an oil-burner would cost roughly R1000, assuming a diesel average of about eight liters per 100 km. In South Africa, the BMW iX3 comes standard with a free wall box charger and free Charging at the BMW Group-branded charging station.

  • Priced at: R1.2 million.