BMW reveals hot new i3s 29 | 08 | 2017
BMW HAS REVEALED its facelifted i3 electric car ahead of next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show. It’s also revealed a hotter i3s version, which is capable of 0-62mph in under seven seconds. Both cars are available to order now at Scottish dealerships. (Related: BMW Concept Z4 previews Roadster)
The price of the i3 has risen by around £1000. The basic i3 EV now costs £34,070 — that’s £29,570 after you’ve applied the government’s plug-in car grant. The faster i3s costs from £32,475, while the i3s REx (range-extender) starts from £35,625 (both after the PICG). (Related: BMW diesel trade-in scheme for Scots)
Significantly, BMW has boosted the range of the new i3 models. The standard i3 is now capable of 187 miles on a full electric charge, while the i3s manages 174 miles. Intriguingly, BMW has yet to release the economy details of the REx versions.
Impressively, CO2 emissions for the i3 and i3s REx models stand at 13g/km and 15g/km respectively.
Improvements have also been made which allow owners to charge their i3 quicker. The newly-optimised standard charging cable now allows the car to add 112 miles of EV range in just three hours using a BMW i Wallbox. As previously, owners can control the charging process from an app on their smartphone.
Both the i3 and i3s use the same 94Ah lithium ion battery that was introduced as a running change to the zero-emission BMW in early 2016.
And both facelifted models are available with an optional range extender in the form of a rear-mounted 647cc two-cylinder petrol engine. While this adds 120kg in kerb weight, it acts purely as a generator, providing electrical charge to the floor-mounted battery when required.
The entry-level i3 retains the current i3’s 168bhp electric motor, while the i3s has been tuned to deliver 181bhp and an extra 20Nm of torque. The pure-electric i3s hits 62mph from standstill in 6.9secs, while the heavier range-extender i3s takes marginally longer, at 7.7s. Both new i3 models deliver drive to the rear-wheels via the same a fixed ratio gearbox.
The i3s also gets a sportier look, with lowered suspension, making it sit 10mm lower than the standard i3. It also benefits from specially developed springs, dampers and anti-roll bars. The i3s also boasts a 40mm wider track, adding to the car’s more squat appearance.
According to BMW, a newly-optimised DSC stability control system guarantees “confident handling in all driving conditions”. And for those who want to try and impress their passengers, Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) allows “mild and safe controllable drifts” on cornering.
Externally, the new i3 gains a number of stylish, but subtle, updates to set it apart from the previous version. There’s a revised bumper and LED headlights at the front, while a the old car’s foglamps have been replaced by LED indicators.
You need to look closer at the car to spot the differences. Basically the standard-fit LED lights are now complimented by more contrasting colours. Yup: that’s it. (Related: Eastern Western buys Grassicks BMW)
There’s a choice now of two new metallic colours — Melbourne Red and Imperial Blue — in addition to the previous white, black and grey, plus the existing Protonic Blue. If you really was to stand out from the crowd, you can also opt for a silver roofline accent, and the bonnet can be specified in black.
And while the sporty i3s gets black wheelarch extensions, housing 20in bi-colour alloys — the standard i3 runs restyled 19in wheels shod with the same 155/70 profile low rolling resistance as the original model — across the range you can opt for new blue seatbelts, which BMW says are a hint to the car’s electric drivetrain.
Elsewhere, the interior of the i3 remains basically unchanged. There remains an array of eco-friendly materials, including recycled plastics, natural leather and unbleached eucalyptus wood, depending on spec.
BMW now claims that more than 80% of the visible surfaces are made from renewable or reused sources.
The new i3 range also benefits from an updated version of BMW’s familiar iDrive system. All cars now feature its 10.25-inch display and Professional navigation system. Apple CarPlay is now available and BMW says voice recognition has been optimised. An expanded list of BMW i ConnectedDrive apps is now also available.
Related: BMW reveals 592bhp M5 supersaloon
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Jim McGill