BMW i4 Racing Shines In Romania’s Super Rally Opener

Keep in mind Elsa? No, not the fictional character from Frozen. It’s the nickname given to a purpose-built electric race car primarily based on the BMW i4 M50. Born in Romania, the track-ready EV machine developed by impartial racing crew Interact Racing not too long ago competed within the inaugural occasion of the native 2025 Tremendous Rally season. The primary spherical occurred in Alba Iulia, the place the i4 Racing triumphed within the electrical class.

That’s not all, because it almost clinched third place within the touring automobile class. Effectively, virtually. With Horia Platona behind the wheel, the i4 Racing was simply 0.14 seconds shy of the ultimate podium spot. Nonetheless, a fourth-place end is spectacular for an EV going up in opposition to 20 different automobiles, together with factory-prepped TCR and Group Rally2 automobiles. As you possibly can think about, this isn’t a inventory i4 M50 with racing livery and customized wheels.

In comparison with the road-going model, the i4 Racing has shed 205 kilograms (452 kilos) by stripping out the inside. The cabin ditched its sound-deadening supplies and just about all consolation options, to not point out changing the glass with light-weight Plexiglas. A customized carbon fiber dashboard additionally helped the automobile slim down. Even with the drastic weight discount, this i4 M50 nonetheless suggestions the scales at round 2,000 kg (4,400 lbs), a hefty quantity in comparison with its gasoline-powered counterparts.

Though the i4 Racing had beforehand been proven with an aggressive aero physique equipment, it skipped the huge rear wing throughout the opening spherical of the Tremendous Rally championship. It additionally went with out the outsized entrance splitter, retaining a glance that’s virtually inventory. Nevertheless, a cutout within the tailgate for 3 cooling followers is a transparent giveaway that this isn’t your common i4 M50.

Time has run out for the i4 M50 anyway. BMW not too long ago changed it with the extra highly effective M60, launched with the i4’s facelift final yr. Interact Racing’s challenge relies on the pre-LCI mannequin, therefore the older headlights and absence of laser taillights. We’ll be seeing extra of Elsa quickly. The race-ready i4 will compete later this week within the fifth stage of Romania’s Nationwide Hill Climb Championship. On August 8-9, it’s going to additionally race within the subsequent spherical of the Tremendous Rally.