BMW gave its bare-bones i-Series EV lineup a major shot in the arm to round out the spring of 2021 when it revealed the production version of the new, M-enhanced model in the lineup: the i4 M50—first BMW EV to wear the M badge.

Sporting a body shape BMW calls gran coupe, the i4 was introduced in a glitzy near future-tense version in March of last year. It promised a filling-out of the i-Series lineup, which was a long time coming; the i3 and i8 appeared in dealerships in 2014, a premade package of both urban commuter and weekend hair-raiser. The Concept i4 was six more years in arriving, with the production version following in March of this year.

The i4 is a very pretty ride, especially in profile, where its legato lines show a lot of grace. The eDrive40 is the daily driver variant of the fledgling model; as a $56,395 base sticker, rear-wheel-drive, single-motor solution for young professionals and their family, it comes with better range than the M performance version, and overall it could be considered the more generally significant and consumer-appealing of the i4 duo.

The $66,895 base-price AWD i4 M50 is undoubtedly more thrilling, as its two motors can deliver up to 536 horsepower and 586 pound-feet of torque, albeit temporarily, with Sport Boost engaged. Otherwise, power output is a respectable 469 hp and 538 lb-ft. It can reach 60 MPH in 3.9 seconds. The variant can be optioned with 20-inch wheels, but its range on its standard 19-inchers comes in at 245 miles.

Both models come with near-actuator wheel slip limitation, launch control, a 10-80% fast-charge in 31 minutes, and optional variable sport steering. The duo is due in dealerships in the first quarter of 2022.