{"id":244553,"date":"2023-11-08T11:49:13","date_gmt":"2023-11-08T11:49:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/?p=244553"},"modified":"2023-11-08T11:49:13","modified_gmt":"2023-11-08T11:49:13","slug":"test-drove-hybrid-electric-cars-at-bmw-driving-experience-seattle","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/automotobuzz.com\/news-features\/test-drove-hybrid-electric-cars-at-bmw-driving-experience-seattle\/","title":{"rendered":"Test drove hybrid & electric cars at BMW Driving Experience Seattle"},"content":{"rendered":"

I did not realize until I went for this event that this was not on a track but, a huge parking lot<\/h2>\n

BHPian mobike008\u00a0<\/strong> recently shared this with other enthusiasts.<\/strong><\/p>\n

BMW Driving Experience- Seattle- October 28, 2023<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

BMW does this “sales exercise” and invites folks to register to drive their new offerings.<\/p>\n

I did not realize until I went for this event that this was not on a track but, a huge parking lot converted into a makeshift ” Autocross Track”<\/p>\n

Me and a Friend drove almost 100 miles and 2 hours both ways to this event and were sorely disappointed as soon as we saw it was not on a track.<\/p>\n

We decided to go through the motions.<\/p>\n

BMW had all its offerings on display and we were particularly enamored by the luxurious i7 (Enjoyed the experience of exploring its interiors), M4, M3, M2, etc.<\/p>\n

Cars that were available to drive :<\/p>\n

1. BMW 330e<\/strong> (Hybrid Version)<\/p>\n

2. BMW i4 M50<\/strong> (Most Powerful Version of the i4 with 540 HP)<\/p>\n

We took 3-rounds of the track with each car with an instructor riding shotgun.<\/p>\n

It was an underwhelming affair as he was “barking instructions” as if we were a novice and that kind of spoilt the fun and could not push the car as I would have loved to if I was driving alone.<\/p>\n

Continuous instructions were not required as this experience was not on track. I told him, I knew how to drive so “Don’t worry, I won’t shoot off the track”.<\/p>\n

When I was driving the i4M50, the instructor was a “Typical Texan and a bit cocky” and asked me if I have ever driven an Electric Vehicle.<\/p>\n

I replied<\/strong>: I own an EV that can smoke this BMW without breaking any sweat. He gulped and kept the instructions to the minimum.<\/p>\n

Driving Impressions:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. The i4M50<\/strong> is really nice to drive and the one to buy if ever in the market to buy a BMW Electric Sedan. But, then obviously it’s no match to a Tesla Model 3 Performance from a performance aspect.<\/p>\n

2. 330e<\/strong>– Well, after driving the i4M50, this felt underpowered and was also not an electric vehicle in the true sense.<\/p>\n

We got “M Badged” water bottles as give-away.<\/p>\n

Post that drive experience, we visited a popular food cart nearby and enjoyed some tacos and a Mexican ” gold spot” for lunch.<\/p>\n

Here are a few pictures from the event. Cheers to BMW !!!<\/p>\n

My friend driving the i4 M50<\/p>\n