Research

BMW i4 M50 vs Lotus Emeya

Lotus Emeya

Lotus Emeya

Verdict

At RM430,800 versus RM459,000, the BMW i4 M50 is RM28,200 cheaper and still quicker to 100 km/h, doing it in 3.9 seconds against the Lotus Emeya’s 4.2 seconds. The Lotus counters with the bigger EV numbers: 603 hp, a 102.0 kWh battery and 610 km range, versus 537 hp, 83.9 kWh and 510 km. For Malaysia, this is a size-and-distance call as much as a performance one; the Emeya is much larger, while the i4 is the easier fit on paper.

i4 M50

Pick the BMW i4 M50 if you want the lower price, quicker 0-100 km/h time and a more compact footprint.

Emeya

Pick the Lotus Emeya if you want more range, more power, a bigger boot and the longer warranty.

Key differences

  • Price: BMW i4 M50 RM430,800; Lotus Emeya RM459,000
  • Power: BMW i4 M50 537 hp; Lotus Emeya 603 hp
  • 0-100 km/h: BMW i4 M50 3.9 s; Lotus Emeya 4.2 s
  • Battery and range: BMW i4 M50 83.9 kWh, 510 km; Lotus Emeya 102.0 kWh, 610 km
  • Size: BMW i4 M50 4,783 mm long and 1,852 mm wide; Lotus Emeya 5,139 mm long and 2,241 mm wide
  • Warranty: BMW i4 M50 2 years; Lotus Emeya 5 years

i4 M50

  • RM28,200 cheaper to buy
  • Quicker 3.9-second 0-100 km/h time
  • Lower RM1,065 yearly road tax
  • Lower 510 km EV range
  • Smaller 470-litre boot
  • Shorter 2-year warranty

Emeya

  • Longer 610 km EV range
  • Higher 603 hp output
  • Bigger 509-litre boot
  • Costs RM28,200 more
  • Slower 4.2-second 0-100 km/h time
  • Much wider at 2,241 mm
Price & overview
PriceRM 430,800RM 459,000
Body typeSedanSedan
SegmentCompact ExecutiveGrand Tourer
AssemblyCBUCBU
Powertrain
FuelElectricElectric
Number of Motors22
Motor Horsepower537 hp603 hp
Motor Torque795 Nm710 Nm
Battery TypeLithium-ionLithium-ion
Battery Capacity83.9 kWh102 kWh
EV Range510 km610 km
Charger Type (AC)Type 2Type 2
Charging Rate (AC)11.0 kW22 kW
Charger Type (DC)CCSCCS
Charging Rate (DC)200.0 kW420 kW
Drivetrain
TransmissionSingle Ratio AutomaticSingle Ratio Automatic
Transmission NameeDrive
Gears1
Transmission ManufacturerBMW AG
DrivelineAll Wheel DriveAll Wheel Drive
Performance & Efficiency
0-100 km/h3.9 seconds4.15 seconds
Top Speed225 km/h250 km/h
Dimensions
Length4,783 mm5,139 mm
Width1,852 mm2,241 mm
Height1,448 mm1,459 mm
Wheelbase2,856 mm3,069 mm
Weight2,290 kg
Doors54
Seats55
Boot Space470 litres509 litres
Front Tyre245/35R20255/45R20
Rear Tyre255/35R20285/40R20
Factory TyresGoodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 5 Run-flatPirelli P-Zero
Chassis
AssemblyGermany (CBU)China (CBU)
ChassisUnibodyUnibody
Front SuspensionMacPherson StrutMulti-link with Air Suspension
Rear SuspensionMultilinkMulti-link with Air Suspension
Front Wheels20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy20" 5-spoke Aero Grey Alloys
Rear Wheels20" Aerodynamic Style 862 2-tone Alloy20" 5-spoke Aero Grey Alloys
Front BrakesVentilated DiscVentilated Discs
Rear BrakesVentilated DiscVentilated Discs
SteeringRack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)Rack and Pinion (Electric Power Steering)
Chassis NotesAdaptive M Suspension, Variable Sport SteeringContinuous Dampening Control with Air Suspension
Safety
AirbagsDriver and Passenger, Front Side, Front and Rear CurtainDriver and Passenger, Front Side, Curtain Airbags, Front Center Airbag and Driver's Knee Airbag
ABS/EBD
Stability Control
Alarm
Immobilizer
Child Safety LockManual for Rear DoorsElectronic for Rear Doors
Seat Belts5 Three-point5 Three-point
Blind Spot Info System
ISOFIXAvailable on 2 Outer Rear SeatsAvailable on two rear passenger seats
Autonomous Braking SystemYes, with Pedestrian, Cyclist and Cross Traffic Detection (5 km/h to 250 km/h)Yes
Lane-keeping AssistSteering CorrectionSteering Correction
Collision Warning
Seatbelt ReminderAll SeatsAll Seats
Safety NotesExterior Loudspeaker for Pedestrians, Active Protection
Lighting
HeadlampsLED Projector with Adaptive Laser High BeamProjector LED with Dynamic Indicators
TaillampsFull LEDFull LED with Dynamic Indicators
LED Daytime Running Lights
Rear Foglamps
Wing Mirror Turn Indicators
Cabin
Front SeatsPower Adjustable Front Seats with Driver's Memory FunctionPower Adjustable Front Seats
Rear Seats40:20:40 Split-foldingFixed
Front Air-conDual-zone Automatic Climate ControlDual-zone Automatic Climate Control
Rear Air-conSingle-zone Automatic Climate ControlDual-zone Automatic Climate Control
SunroofFront, Tilt and Slide
Power Sockets1 Boot, 1 Front USB, 1 Front USB-C, 2 Rear USB-C
Interior LightingMap Lights and Ambient Lights (6 Colours)Map Lights and Ambient Lights
Cup Holders2 Front, 2 Rear2 Front, 2 Rear
Audio14.9" Touchscreen BMW Live Cockpit Professional with Voice Control, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto and 17-speaker Harman Kardon Sound System (525W)15.1" Touchscreen with Lotus Hyper OS, Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 15-speaker KEF Reference Audio
Convenience
Power WindowsFour Windows, Auto Up and Down with Anti PinchFour Windows, Automatic with Anti-pinch
Engine StartKeyless Push ButtonKeyless Operation (Depress Brake Pedal)
LocksKeyless OperationKeyless Entry
Auto Headlamps
Auto Wipers
Cruise ControlAdaptive Cruise Control with Steering Assist and Stop and GoAdaptive Cruise Control
Steering Audio Control
Steering Tilt
Steering Telescopic
Electric Steering Adjustment
Boot OperationPowered with Contactless OperationRemote Control Activation with Contactless Boot Opening
Parking Sensor Front6 Sensors4 Sensors
Parking Sensor Rear6 Sensors6 Sensors
Reverse CameraYes, with 360-degree CameraYes, with Surround View
Auto ParkingYes, Parallel and Perpendicular, with Reversing Assist
Folding Wing Mirrors
Bluetooth
Navigation
Head-up Display
Power DoorNo
Hill Start Assist
Instrument ClusterFull LCD MonitorFull LCD Monitor
Parking BrakeElectronicElectronic
Convenience NotesQi Wireless Charger, BMW IconicSounds ElectricTyre puncture repair kit
Warranty
Warranty Mileage ManufacturerUnlimited150,000 km
Warranty Mileage ExtendedUnlimited
Warranty Manufacturer2 years5 years
Warranty Extended5 years
Warranty Notes6-year/100,000 km Free Service Package, 8-year/100,000 km Battery Warranty8-year/200,000 km Battery Warranty
Ownership
Road tax / yearRM 1,065RM 1,440

Specs shown for the selected variant of each car. ✓ marks the better figure where lower/higher is objectively better. Road tax: West Malaysia, private registration.

i4 M50 vs Emeya FAQ

Is the BMW i4 M50 or Lotus Emeya better?

The Lotus Emeya is better for range, power, boot space and warranty. The BMW i4 M50 is better for price, acceleration and compactness. If you drive long distances often, take the Lotus; if you want the sharper buy on paper, take the BMW.

What is the price difference?

The Lotus Emeya costs RM28,200 more than the BMW i4 M50. That extra money buys a larger 102.0 kWh battery, 610 km range, 603 hp, a 509-litre boot and a 5-year warranty.

Which has the longer EV range?

The Lotus Emeya has the longer range at 610 km, compared with 510 km for the BMW i4 M50. It also has the larger battery, at 102.0 kWh versus 83.9 kWh.

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