Fresh impetus for BMW i3
NEW ERA: THE WORLD’S BEST-SELLING ELECTRIC CAR HAS INTRODUCED A NEW VARIANT
It is a visionary electric car with an inspirational design which has innovative mobility solutions.
The BMW i3 shows the way ahead to a new era of mobility. It is recognised the world over as a symbol of driving pleasure, sustainability and intelligent connectivity in the urban traffic environment, which is why it has become the best-selling electric car in the premium compact segment.
The recipe for success of the i3 has been further improved, thanks not just to refreshing styling accents, cutting-edge equipment features and new digital services, but also to the addition of a new model variant.
By offering a premium-quality, all-electric driving experience – meaning zero local emissions – together with a new level of connectivity technology, the i3 represents the future of urban mobility.
The i3 has reigned as the top-selling premium electric car in its class since 2014.
It’s not just the visionary electric vehicles and inspirational design that help to make it so popular, but also its innovative mobility solutions and the revolutionary new form of premium character, with sustainability as a key defining element.
By offering such products while also adopting an all-embracing approach that takes into account the complete life cycle – from raw material production, through the manufacture and operation of the vehicles to their later recycling – the BMW i brand has established itself as a pioneer for forward-thinking mobility.
The driving experience in the i models has played no small part in the growing appeal and popularity of electric mobility.
Following systematic refinement, the BMW e Drive technology aboard the i3 enables drivers to enjoy locally emission-free mobility with instantaneous power delivery, efficient use of energy and an optimised range for a level of everyday practicality that even extends beyond the demands of purely urban travel.
The i3 draws its energy from the lithium-ion high-voltage battery with a capacity of 94Ah or 33kWh. A range extender engine can be ordered as an option.
The thoughtful evolution of the exterior design not only helps bring the sporting credentials of the i3 more to the fore, but highlights its sophisticated elegance, too. The interior styling of the i3 is rooted in the novel Life Drive vehicle architecture.
The carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell has a spacious feel and is dominated by a sense of lightness. The design principle of the four-seater model means there is no need for fixed B-pillars or a transmission tunnel. Doors that open in opposite directions allow the occupants to get in and out with ease.
The Loft, Lodge and Suite equipment lines are available as alternatives to the standard Atelier version.
The Lodge interior design option includes a new covering for the seat surfaces in solaric brown that combines natural leather tanned using an olive leaf extract with a wool-based textile material. The blue seat belt option provides a splash of colour in the interior. The i3 supplements this with special model lettering on the front floor mats as standard.
The synchronous electric motor powering the new i3 generates a maximum output of 125kW. Its peak torque is 250Nm, all of which is available instantly from a standstill, as is usual with electric motors.
The motor smoothly delivers the kind of performance that drivers expect from a BMW via a single-speed automatic transmission, with continuous power delivery that builds up the car’s tempo in a characteristically dynamic fashion.
Acceleration of 0-100km/h is achieved by in 7.3sec, it is claimed, while its top speed is limited to 150km/h.
Located low in the vehicle floor, the lithium-ion high-voltage battery provides a range of 290km to 300km, based on the NEDC cycle, 235 to 255km as per WLTP and up to 200km in everyday use. The combined electric power consumption on the NEDC cycle varies between 13.6 and 13.1kWh for every 100km.
A 28kW two-cylinder range extender petrol engine is available as an option. The engine drives a generator that produces power as required while driving to maintain a constant level of charge in the high-voltage battery. This extends the car’s overall range in everyday use by 150km, from around 180km to 330km.