BMW i3 94Ah range extender
Bigger battery pack makes EV an even more compelling choice
“Latest i3 drives just as it did before. It has the same playful handling we expect from a BMW”
IN a world of increasingly stringent emissions regulations, more and more buyers are considering electric vehicles. Range anxiety remains a problem for some, however, with many people worried about lengthy charge times and short battery life.
BMW thinks it has the answer. By fitting a denser 94Ah battery pack (up from 60Ah) to its funky-looking i3, engineers have almost doubled the car’s all-electric range. Now capable of up to 195 miles, the pure-ev i3 is more than suitable for the average commute.
But what if that’s not enough? What if the thought of being stranded at a motorway service station without access to a plug still terrifies you? Handily, bosses have seen fit to add the bigger battery to the innovative Range Extender model, too.
Even better, it’s not actually any bigger. The new 94Ah battery slots into the same space as the old unit, meaning this new model is only marginally heavier than the outgoing car. BMW says it’ll do 288 miles on a single charge and full tank of fuel, and the battery can be restored from empty to 80 per cent full in only 40 minutes.
That super-fast charge time is down to all i3s now getting DC Rapid Charge as standard. You can continue to top up from a regular wall plug, although that will take around 10 hours from a three-pin socket.
Playful
On the road, the i3 drives just as it did before. It has the same playful handling as we’ve grown to expect from a BMW, while the rear-wheel propulsion gives it a sporting edge missing on many competitors.
When the batteries run dry, the twocylinder engine tops up the charge – feeding the batteries rather than being directly connected to the wheels. As a result, you’re never driving solely on petrol power. It’s whisper quiet, though, ticking away in the background with little more than a murmur from under the bonnet.
For this reason, the BMW i3 always benefits from the electric motor’s instant torque. It offers sprightly acceleration (0-62mph takes 8.1 seconds) – with the ability to surprise some sports cars off the line. The surge tails off at higher speeds, but still feels comfortable at 70mph.
At these speeds, the i3 does suffer a degree of wind buffeting and there’s noticeable tyre roar, too, but it’s no worse than in a Nissan Leaf.
That’s the problem with electric cars – the absence of an engine means everything else appears much louder. The large, skinny wheels add a firm edge to the ride, and the upright body means it’s also rather susceptible to the odd crosswind. The steering is well weighted, though, and pleasingly direct.
BMW claims average fuel economy of 470.8mpg, but unlike rivals, you can drive the i3 on electric power without ever calling on the petrol unit. Providing the car is sufficiently charged, even a full-throttle dash is silent. Rock-bottom CO2 emissions of 12g/km (down 1g/km over the 60Ah model) mean private buyers and company drivers will pay the very lowest levels of tax. It’s all helped along by the aggressive regenerative braking system; while it takes some getting used to, this allows you to feasibly drive without ever using the left pedal.
The i3’s updates are almost exclusively related to the battery pack, meaning this 94Ah car is indistinguishable from the old model, unless you opt for the new Protonic Blue paint – a shade first seen on the sleek i8 sports car, which adds a dose of colour to the i3’s otherwise mundane palette. As you’d expect, all the usual high-quality touchpoints and switches are present and correct – including a range of sustainable materials for the doors and dash.
The cabin feels light, bright and spacious, with loads of room up front. The rear-hinged doors continue to allow easy access, so despite the compact body it’s
surprisingly practical. The 260-litre boot isn’t bad, but this expands to 1,100 litres if you fold the rear seats down.
Standard kit is generous, with all cars featuring 19-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth, and automatic lights and wipers. A 6.5inch screen and idrive controller are also included. It’s just a shame that BMW hasn’t seen fit to install the likes of Apple Carplay and Android Auto. BMW’S Connected Drive app does offer online services, however.