Do you remember Elsa? No, not the fictional character of Frozen. It is the nickname that is based on a specially built electric racing car based on the BMW i4 M50. The route born in Romania, which was developed by Independent Racing Team Engage Racing, recently took part in the first event of the Local Super Rally season 2025. The first round took place in Alba Iulia, where the i4 racing triumphed in the electrical class.
This is not all because it almost took third place in the Touring Car class. Well, almost. With Horia Platona at the wheel, the i4 race was only 0.14 seconds before the last podium. Nevertheless, a fourth place is impressive for an EV that increases against 20 other cars, including the factory chairman TCR and group rally cars. As you can imagine, this is not an inventory i4 M50 with racing painting and special wheels.
Compared to the street version, the i4 racing has triggered 205 kilograms (£ 452) by aligning the interior. The cabin dropped its sound-absorbing materials and practically all comfort features, not to mention that the glass was replaced by light plexiglass. A customer -specific carbon fittings board also helped the car. Despite the drastic reduction in weight, this i4 M50 still plays the scales at around 2,000 kg (4,400 LBS), a strong number compared to the counterparts operated with petrol.
Although the i4 race had previously been shown with an aggressive aero body kit, he skipped the massive rear wing during the opening round of the Super Rally Championship. It was also without the oversized front splitter and almost stayed in stock. However, an excerpt in the tailgate for three cooling fans is a clear giveaway that this is not an average i4 m50.
The time has expired for the i4 M50 anyway. BMW recently replaced it by the more powerful M60, which was introduced last year with the facelift of the i4. The Engage Racing project is based on the Pre-LCI model, hence the older headlights and the lack of laser declines. We will soon see more from Elsa. The Race Ready i4 will later compete in the fifth stage of the Romania National Hill Climb Championship this week. On August 8th to 9th it will also drive in the next round of the super rally.
