BMW thinks the i’s have it

The i3 has proved to be a successful first stab at the all-electric vehicle market for BMW and since the original 2013 launch, the Munich car maker hasn’t stopped trying to improve it.

In 2016, the original 60Ah version was replaced with a 94Ah variant that boosted this model’s all-electric operating range to over 200 miles. A year later, BMW gave the styling a minor refresh and added a slightly pokier i3s derivative into the range.

As you might expect from a BMW product, the i3 doesn’t want for go. The electric motor is mounted low down within the rear axle which helps to keep a low centre of gravity and also to improve crashworthiness. The power unit weighs just 130kg and produces 170bhp in standard form, which means that the i3’s power to weight ratio of 141bhp per tonne is just 5bhp per tonne shy of a Honda Civic Type R hot hatch.

If you’re interested in a comparison of that sort, you’ll be interested in the slightly pokier i3s variant, where the electric motor’s power output is boosted to 184bhp, plus there’s sports suspension with specially developed springs, dampers and anti-roll bars.

Extremely direct steering, a low centre of gravity, a clever DSC stability control system and lightweight body structures add up to very focused driving characteristics. Go for the ‘Range Extender’ version of the car and a tiny 650cc two-cylinder petrol engine is added to cut in once the batteries are empty. The batteries can take you up to 205 miles on a full charge, though expect slightly less in real world driving.

Interior materials are eco-orientated, with the dashboard and door inlays made from dried grass fibres from the kenaf plant and eucalyptus wood being optional. The boot measures 260-litres, but fold the rear seats and you get up to 1,100-litres.

Costing around £2 to charge, with a real world range of up to around 150 miles on batteries alone, the i3 will work for many suburban commuters looking for something stylish and a bit different to the norm.

The BMW i3.