BMW i4 eDrive35 M Sport review: Subtle updates for an electric BMW favourite, Lifestyle News

When BMW started going all in with the development of its electric vehicle (EV) strategy at the start of this decade, there were concerns that its electric cars would lose the fun and engaging edge that made the brand such a driver's favourite.
After all, EVs are generally heavier than the equivalent internal combustion-powered car, and weight is the antithesis of what makes a car enjoyable to drive, according to enthusiasts at least.
The BMW i4 however dispelled that notion completely, and it proved that BMW could produce an electric car that's actually well-balanced, without losing the essence of what makes a BMW so appealing.
The i4 has now received a mild mid-life update, and while the updates aren't significant, it's really a case of refining a formula that already works well. What's new on the BMW i4?
The primary changes are cosmetic in nature. For Singapore, the entry-level BMW i4 eDrive35 version as tested here now gets an M Sport kit as standard.
This means it gets an M Aerodynamics package that consists of a sportier looking front bumper and a large rear diffuser. There are also M Sport brakes and new 19-inch wheels, which gives the car a slightly more aggressive look without coming across as too loud.
The other visible changes are to its lights, with the BMW i4 now getting new LED headlights with a distinctive claw-like signature, and a refreshed taillight design with a laser pattern that supposedly enhances visibility at night.
They're all very minor changes really, and the same goes for the interior. The main difference you'll spot are the M Sport steering wheel, as well as the air con vents that are now surrounded by cool ambient lighting.
The infotainment software has also now been upgraded to the latest BMW OS 8.5, which has a redesigned user interface that makes it slightly easier to navigate between pages and functions. Does the updated BMW i4 drive any differently then?
Not really, because fundamentally, the BMW i4 remains unchanged under the skin.
In eDrive35 form, the single electric motor produces 282hp and 400Nm of torque. It's quite a decent amount of power for an entry-level model, and it allows the car to go from 0 to 100km/h in six seconds flat.
Of course, if you want even more power, there's also the high performance i4 M50 available, with 536hp and 795Nm of torque on tap. But in Singapore's context, the regular BMW i4 eDrive35 should more than suffice.
More importantly though, the i4 retains the fantastic balance that makes it one of the most enjoyable EVs to drive, with its 50:50 weight distribution, rear wheel drive setup and well-sorted chassis that handles corners with brilliant poise and finesse.
The steering is quick and precise, although perhaps a bit overly light in feel. It doesn't offer the same kind of feedback as a traditional old school BMW, but it works well enough for the modern day driver.
But even if you're not the kind who indulges in enthusiastic driving, the BMW i4 impresses with its all-round refinement. The power delivery is smooth and effective, and the ride quality is comfortable and composed, with its well-controlled suspension absorbing bumps with hardly any fuss. Is the BMW i4 a good buy?
Certainly, if you're looking for an electric BMW that doesn't deviate too far from the classic BMW formula. Obviously, it's not going to feel quite the same without an engine, but in most other aspects the i4 lives up to the BMW reputation of offering an enthusiast-centric drive that's engaging and involving.
Of course, at $339,888 with COE (as of June 2025), it's not exactly what you would call affordable. But the i4 is probably the closest you can get to having the purest BMW driving experience in the electric age. For that alone, the i4 deserves its status as arguably the most enjoyable electric BMW you can buy right now.
[[nid:718808]]
ben.chia@asiaone.com
No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Straits Times

9 hours ago

• Straits Times

Fast Lane: BMW, Bentley, Peugeot, Rolls-Royce

Special wishes: Invited clients can co-create their dream Rolls-Royce at special creative hubs in cities such as Dubai, Shanghai and Seoul. PHOTO: ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS Unique Rose Rolls-Royce is keen to show how far it can go to cater to the special requests of clients. The Rolls-Royce Spectre Rose is a customised creation featuring rose motifs on the upholstery and a unique exterior. The company says the car was commissioned by a prominent client in the Middle East for her daughter. To achieve the desired effect, the craftsmen at Rolls-Royce created a new embroidery technique. Two shades of pink threads are blended, using a satin stitch to create a subtle gradient such that the embroidered roses have a three-dimensional look. A single hand-painted pink coach line runs along the flank of the Spectre. Around the world, Rolls-Royce has set up special creative hubs in places such as Dubai, Shanghai and Seoul, where invited clients can work with a designer to create their dream car. More efficient SUV Upgraded: The BMW iX now has more power and a longer operating range. PHOTO: BMW The BMW iX has been subtly updated for more power and higher efficiency. Along with these changes under its skin, it wears a new face – starting with the redesigned front grille with diagonal stripes – similar to the new X3. As with some of the newer BMWs, the border of the grille is now illuminated. The refreshed iX's daytime running lights in the headlamps are set at an angle, also taking reference from the newer generation of BMWs. The updated electric sport utility vehicle has 300kW, which is 60kW more than its previous rendition. This cuts the 0-100kmh sprint time to 5.1 seconds, an improvement of 1 second. In terms of operating range, the iX xDrive45 claims to be able to travel 602km before needing a recharge. This is up from 425km on the pre-updated iX xDrive40 model. Charging speed has also been upgraded from 150kW to 175kW. Hot voltage hatchback Performance EV: The Peugeot E-208 GTi is the brand's first electric hot hatchback. PHOTO: STELLANTIS French brand Peugeot is betting that it can transfer the appeal and character of the GTi badge from its combustion-engine models to the electric age with its new E-208 GTi. The five-door hatchback is one size smaller than the Volkswagen Golf GTI , but quicker. The Peugeot's 209kW front-mounted motor gives the car a 0-100kmh sprint time of 5.7 seconds, versus 6.6 seconds for the petrol-powered Volkswagen. The front axle has a limited-slip differential to enhance handling. The car's wheel tracks are wider than the standard E-208 hatchback. Both the suspension set-up and electronic stability program have been tuned to suit the GTi's more aggressive brief. The E-208 GTi is the first model to be fully designed by Peugeot Sport, the performance arm of Peugeot. The car has big shoes to fill, considering the high bar set by the Peugeot 205 GTi from the 1980s, long regarded as among the best hot hatchbacks in automotive history. Six-seater Bentley on auction MPV of sorts: Special Bentley Mulsanne is a six-seater limousine. PHOTO: COLLECTING CARS The Bentley Mulsanne Grand Limousine is an official model from the British luxury car brand and not an aftermarket conversion . The wheelbase has been stretched by 1,000mm and the height raised by 79mm. One of supposedly 12 units made , it has been listed in June on Collecting Cars, an online auction site. It has six individual seats; the two in the middle row are rear-facing. A privacy partition with adjustable opacity separates the front seats from the rest of the cabin. An intercom system and a quilted headliner split by a wood-veneered central spine, which houses the lighting and controls, are among other features that set the car apart from the regular Mulsanne. Mechanically, the Grand Limousine is identical to the standard Mulsanne, with a twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre V8 engine powering the rear wheels. For details, go to Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

Vogue Singapore

10 hours ago

• Vogue Singapore

Meet the three Vogue Singapore x BMW Innovation Prize 2025 finalists

This year, the Vogue Singapore x BMW Innovation Prize returns to spotlight the brightest entrepreneurial minds reimagining fashion, sustainability, and technology across Asia and beyond. A collaboration with BMW, the programme champions fashion and beauty innovators building the future of design through cross-industry creativity, circular systems, and digital transformation. Applications came in from all around the globe, and after an intensive two-day bootcamp, ten standout businesses were chosen to move forward into a three-week mentorship programme. Participants had the valuable opportunity to work with esteemed leaders from world-class institutions, including Renzo Vitale, Creative Director Sound at BMW Group, Corey Moran, Head of Industry, Fashion and Luxury at Google, Artaud Frenoy, Head of APAC at VEJA, and Nanette Wong, Vice President of Global Brand Marketing at Fenty Beauty & Fenty Fragrance, among others. Their final pitch was presented to an internal jury composed of the Vogue Singapore and Brinc teams, alongside global investors. From this pool, three finalists emerged—Arxy, Authentified, and BioFluff—each chosen for their distinctive vision, clear roadmap, and capacity to spark real change. These three companies will now face the VIP jury, comprised of global leaders at the forefront of luxury, innovation, and design. Among them: Bettina von Schlippe, Vogue Singapore's Publisher-at-Large, Alexis Bonhomme, founder of Trinity Asia, Natasha Damodaran, Vogue Singapore's publisher, Rose du Chatellier, Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at Condé Nast, and Oliver Heilmer, Head of Design BMW Compact Class and Neue Klasse, BMW M. For Heilmer, whose team is pioneering BMW's next-generation vehicles under the Neue Klasse vision, the innovation prize reflects an aligned mission: 'BMW has a strong history and has always strived to resolve contradictions: to create a design that meets the spirit of the times and thus remains timeless. In many ways, the Vogue Singapore x BMW Innovation Prize is aimed to bring about change in a similar way, and I am thrilled for BMW and myself to support this project'. He also emphasised the importance of cross-disciplinary inspiration. 'For example, one person on our team builds skateboards, while another lived on a sailboat for two years—this is all part of indirect inspiration. These experiences feed into our collective design language—it's that creative discourse that drives innovation.' Indeed, the exchange of ideas between tech, fashion, design, and sustainability underpins the ethos of the programme, which culminates this October at Vogue Singapore's Next In Vogue gala. There, the winner will be announced and awarded a S$20,000 monetary prize, a feature by Vogue Singapore, a one-year membership at the Singapore Fashion Council, and—courtesy of VisitMonaco—a four-night stay at the Hôtel Metropole Monte-Carlo, with dinner at the two-Michelin-starred Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac. The winner will also receive mentorship from Monegasque institutions such as MonacoTech and be introduced to a global network of investors and industry leaders. Below, read on to find about more about the three shortlisted businesses and their innovative visions. Arxy Artzy is the world's first fully immersive and interactive virtual showroom platform for B2B wholesale. Courtesy of Arxy Touted as the world's first fully immersive and interactive virtual showroom platform for B2B wholesale, Arxy is redefining how brands and retailers connect. By addressing the outdated and unsustainable nature of traditional wholesale—which relies on costly physical showrooms, international travel, and excessive sample production— Arxy offers scalable, sustainable, and cost-efficient tools designed to modernise the wholesale process. These entrenched practices not only slow down operations but also raise barriers for small brands and contribute to the industry's carbon footprint. Arxy's mission is to build a dynamic, collaborative, and tech-forward ecosystem that cuts costs, reduces waste, and expands reach—empowering the next generation of fashion creatives to thrive. Since its launch, Arxy has rapidly gained industry recognition. The company was selected twice by Vogue Business as one of the ten tech startups set to reshape the fashion industry, presenting at Fashion Futures in both New York and London. In early 2025, it unveiled a virtual talent showroom for Istituto Marangoni, earning press coverage and widespread interest; the institution has since engaged Arxy on two further projects and named them their exclusive technology partner in this field. Today, Arxy works with over 20 brands, including Veronique Leroy and Annakiki, and has attracted over 300 retailers across 36 countries, from LuisaViaRoma and Saks to well-established regional retailers. Most recently, the company was invited to showcase at the Global Fashion Summit 2025 and host a workshop in Jakarta, further cementing its place at the forefront of fashion's digital evolution. Authentified Authentified provides the back-end technology to connect brands, customers and secondhand marketplaces for efficient resale. Courtesy of Authentified Authentified is building the back‑end infrastructure to power seamless, brand‑led resale at scale. The platform integrates directly with fashion brands—such as launch partner Decjuba, which generated over 500 listings in its first week following its February 2025 debut—connecting them and their customers to established secondhand marketplaces like eBay. This integration enables brands to embrace resale on their own terms: earning royalties, accessing valuable post‑purchase data, and driving ongoing customer engagement. Customers, in turn, benefit from a resale experience that's easy, trusted, and fully brand‑backed. With additional partnerships including Australia Post and Salvos Stores to support logistics and donations, Authentified is laying the foundation for effortless, circular fashion at scale. Since launch, the platform has grown to support over 1,500 registered users and has facilitated the sale of more than 1,400 items, with strong momentum across both brand and customer adoption. Authentified currently partners with Decjuba, Bared Footwear, Kivari, and Cambridge Clothing, with two more marketplace integrations in discussion. The team recently launched a live brand dashboard and has received positive feedback from major retailers during ongoing meetings. Recognition has followed swiftly: Authentified was selected for the eBay Circular Fashion Fund, named a LaunchVic Top 30 Best Newcomer, shortlisted for the AFR Sustainability Leaders Award 2025 (via Decjuba), and was a finalist at Power Retail Big Bash 2025 in both the Top Sustainability Initiative and Top Innovator categories. Biofluff BioFluff is the world's first 100% plant-based fur, shearling, and plush alternative. Courtesy of Biofluff Born from a bold ambition to phase out both animal-derived and plastic-based furs, BioFluff is the world's first 100% plant-based alternative to fur, shearling, and plush. Its flagship material, Savian, is crafted in Italy from flax, nettle, and hemp fibres—offering a high-luxury textile with a remarkably low environmental footprint. The material made its high-profile debut at COP28 in December 2023, appearing as part of Stella McCartney's Pre-Fall 2024 collection, where it garnered global attention as a pioneering sustainable innovation. Since then, BioFluff has continued to rewrite the rules of luxury by proving that plant-powered fashion can be beautiful, functional, and scalable. Momentum has only grown. In January 2024, BioFluff partnered with Ganni, showcasing the brand's Bou Bag crafted in Savian during Copenhagen Fashion Week. The company also took its first steps into interiors by unveiling an artisanal bench with Andrea Rosso's RedDuo during Barcelona Design Week. In November 2024, BioFluff initiated a working group with players in the toy and licensing industry, aiming to co-create a category-appropriate plant-based plush solution. Recognition has come from across the industry: the brand was a finalist for the 2022 LVMH Innovation Award, and most recently, BioFluff was shortlisted for the Drapers Sustainability Awards 2025, cementing its place at the forefront of next-generation materials. Learn more about the Vogue Singapore Foundation and subscribe to Club Vogue .

International Business Times

a day ago

• International Business Times

Google Mocks Apple's iOS 26 With Humorous Podcast Video, Samsung Joins Roast

Apple announced iOS 26, the newest version of its operating system, on June 9th as one of a slew of new announcements at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC). Apple also unveiled a new visual revamp, which they referred to as the "Liquid Glass" design. The new look is also a part of changes to core apps and the entire platform, representing a major change in its aesthetics. However, it seems these new features and announcements by Apple have not impressed tech giants like Samsung and Google at all. Google has posted a playful video mocking a bundle of new features arriving on iOS 26, some of which Android users—especially Pixel owners—have been enjoying for years. Entitled 'Best Phones Forever: Responding to MORE Rumors,' the video was uploaded to Google's YouTube account on June 17 and has since generated a heap of laughter online. The animated video is a playful podcast-style exchange between an Apple iPhone and a Google Pixel. As they chat, the Pixel indirectly accuses iOS 26 of copying some of its older features, which it sarcastically refers to as "just some crazy coincidences" because "they're not out yet!" Features like live text translation, hold assist, and call screening—newly added in iOS 26—have been available on Pixel devices since at least 2018. To add further insult to injury, the video winds down with iPhone asking anxiously, "Sooo... What are you working on for Pixel 10?" —a not-too-subtle reminder of Google's forthcoming launch, which has been speculated for August. However, Google wasn't the only one to mock the Tim Cook-led smartphone maker. Samsung did it days ago, during Apple's WWDC25. Apple's toughest competitor poked fun at iOS 26 and macOS 26 with a series of snarky posts on X (formerly Twitter). One post read, "Customizable apps? Floating bars? That sleek glass UI? Looks... familiar." Another jab stated, "Apple brings Live Translation. For a fuller account, check the Galaxy S24 launch 16 months ago." Samsung also flaunted its Galaxy AI improvements and subtly suggested that Apple's updates are more reactive than innovative. "AI is coming to your watch? Cute! Ours already knows you're too tired to care #GalaxyAI," the Android giant said, pulling no punches. What was noteworthy about Apple's keynote wasn't just the dearth of any specific emphasis on AI; it was how the competition gleefully filled that silence. With Apple's focus on privacy and evolutionary innovation, competitors like Google and Samsung took the opportunity to remind users that they have been ahead on AI-powered features for some time.