BMW unveils i3 city car 29 | 07 | 2013
BMW OFFICIALLY UNVEILED its all-electric i3 city car today with a simultaneous reveal in London, Beijing and New York (see more official photos of the new BMW i3). And while the car remains true to the original concept shown in Frankfurt in 2011, the significant change is the fact the car has five doors (watch our video of the BMW i3 being driven).
As BMW bids to grab a dominant position in the electric vehicle sector, the i3 — which is available to order now, with first deliveries scheduled in Scotland on November 16 — is priced at £30,680.
But with the government's £5000 electric car rebate, it will end up costing buyers £25,680 in the UK. BMW is also offering the i3 on a three-year lease scheme with a deposit of £2995 and 36 monthly payments of £369.
The i3 Range Extender will cost £28,830, after the £5k rebate is included (watch the BMW i3 on-the-road).
The revolutionary car offers zero emissions in a premium car package. BMW says it's also the world’s first premium car designed from the ground up to be powered by an electric drive system.
The use of lightweight CFRP for the passenger cell compensates for the extra weight of the battery, while the low, central location of the battery pack enhances the car’s agility thanks to perfectly balanced 50:50 weight distribution and a low centre of gravity.
Both models generate 170hp and 250Nm torque. The entry-level model covers the 0-62mph sprint in 7.2secs, with the Range Extender version 0.7s slower. The extended version also emits 13g/km CO2, compared to the zero emissions of the entry level.
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And while the standard version has a range of between 80-100 miles, the range extender is good — according to BMW — for between 160 and 186 miles.
The range extender engine powers a generator to maintain the charge of the lithium-ion battery at a constant level while on the move.
This is performed by a 650cc two-cylinder four-stroke petrol engine developing 34hp and mounted immediately next to the electric motor above the rear axle.
Both BMW i3 models include a three-year, unlimited mileage vehicle warranty and an eight-year, 100,000 mile battery warranty. The battery is also included in the price of the car negating a separate lease charge for battery, as is the case for other electric vehicles.
The i3 is available with four different interior worlds: Standard, Loft, Lodge and Suite. These allow customers to change the look and feel of the interior. All worlds feature sustainable materials such as sustainably sourced wood, natural fibres and naturally tanned leather.
At 1195kg, including the battery which weighs around 230kg, the i3 weighs 90kg less than the current BMW 114i.
At 3999mm in length, 1775mm in width and 1578mm in height, the i3 is 326mm shorter, 10mm wider and 158mm taller than the second-generation 1-series hatchback.
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BMW claims the i3's battery can be charged to 80% in less than 30 minutes on a 50kW charger, as is found in many public recharging stations in the UK.
The i3 also sits on ultra-narrow 155/70 profile tyres on 19in cast aluminium wheels. This combination, according to BMW, is ideal for reducing both air and rolling resistance.
There's dedicated seating inside the cabin for four adults. And visibility is excellent by dint of the fact the front seats sit 170mm higher than those in the 1-series at 670mm. The rears are even higher.
The location of the rear-mounted drive system though has compromised the bootspace: there's a nominal 260-litres, which is 100-litres less than the 1-series.
"The global electric car market has gone from 7000 sales three years ago to around 150,000 to 160,000 today," Ian Robertson, head of sales and marketing, said. "It's too early to put a number on it but we aiming to be a significant player in this segment. From day one we will make a profit on these vehicles.
"We enjoy good profitability levels. We will make a profit from day one. It's not just a car, it is a revolutionary step forward in sustainable mobility."
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Jim McGill