What’s hot?
- Well the car is hot…it can hold off a BMW M3 all the way to 30 mph, with 170bhp, 250Nm and low overall weight…
- …yet still offers CO2 emissions of 13 grams of CO2 per kilometre driven. That’s right, 13…
- …and handling that is simply delightful, with extraordinary grip, and a turning circle not far off a black cab.
- Better than expected standard kit: cruise, AC, Bluetooth, DAB, 2 screens, LED running lights and 19 inch wheels.
- No perceptible difference in performance between range extender and non-range extender despite a weight hike of 150kg.
Standard kit on the BMW i3 is better than you’d expect – and inside it’s like another world
- You can’t tell when the range extender comes on. You’ll simply struggle to hear it at any speed.
- Manual operation of range extender possible when battery charge falls below 75%.
- Looks better in the flesh than in photos – and certain colours like arctic silver really complement the gloss black elements.
- Interiors move the whole interior game on, within a spacious architecture and flat floor.
- Raised ‘semi-command’ driving position but without fake-SUV styling…
- …and with a completely flat loading space, split rear folding seats, no boot lip, and 1100 litres with the back seats down
- …and additional loading under the bonnet
- …and low insurance (group 21, same as a 118d)
- Huge simplification of drivetrain removes a large number of complex and expensive moving parts.
- Batteries warranty lasts eight years or 100,000 miles.
- Body work can’t be ‘dinged’ because it uses a plastic shell.
- BMW i3 ownership represents a whole new world.
What’s Not
- BMW i3 ownership represents a whole new world.
- The range extender adds £3k to OTR price.
- The range extender blunts 0-60 time by half a second, due to weight.
- Not (yet) an obvious choice for some of the people it’s aimed at, in flats in cities, because of charging issues.
- If your electricity source is a fossil fuel-fired power station, driving a BMW i3 with or without a range extender, or any other electric car, will not make you green, it will just make you the friend of cyclists, pedestrians and asthma sufferers in your immediate vicinity.
