We will assume that the majority of your inquiry relates to town use. Like with almost any EV, driving about on quick inter-urban trips is usually enjoyable. It is serene, competent, peaceful, and surprisingly urgent. The ride is firm though. The restricted suspension travel cannot accommodate enough absorption. Around town, it’s not too unpleasant, but at higher speeds, you could start to feel a little uneasy from being tossed around.
Small bumps reverberate through the hollow carbon structure, which adds to the already excessive loudness. Direct wheel collisions do generate some jolt and vibration, although it is adequately insulated from wind and tyre noise.
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Did it not?
All well, it would have been wonderful if BMW had invested more in the stiff dynamics. Driving an i3 has always been a brittle experience since it is stiffer and jitterier than it should be. We pardoned it because of how expertly and thoughtfully it handled everything else.
Before you ask another inquiry, let’s move on. The i3’s monocoque is made of carbon (a huge investment at the time for BMW, and one that also underpinned the i8 supercar). A range extender engine was used in some early models to top up the battery, but this was eliminated after 2018 in favor of a larger battery, first 33.2kWh but currently 42.2kWh. This isn’t particularly large by most people’s standards, but it has a range of 177–193 miles and combines it with brisk performance. The 170bhp i3 and the 184bhp i3S both reach 62 mph in 7.3 and 6.9 seconds, respectively.
The latter is both an aesthetic and a dynamic improvement. It looks good with a black roof swatch, new bumpers, a 40mm wider track, 20mm bigger 20-inch wheels, and black arches. The sports suspension is 10mm lower. Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), which “improves agility and facilitates controlled drifts,” is also included. And sure, the press materials do indeed state that. roughly an i3.
BMW i3
W20K06U0 25 kW I2range extender, 647 cc Europe 9 L (2.4 US gal) In the US, 7.2 L (1.9 US gal) (2014-2016) In the US, 9 L (2.4 US gal) (2017+)
The BMW i3 is a BMW-made, high-roof, B-segment hatchback with an electric drivetrain that utilizes rear-wheel drive, a single-speed transmission, an underfloor lithium-ion battery pack, and an optional gasoline engine that can expand the vehicle’s range. The BMW i3 was the company’s first mass-produced zero-emission vehicle and was introduced under the BMW I sub-brand for electric vehicles.
The Richard Kim-designed i3 comes with a single five-door configuration, a CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced polymer) passenger module that is extremely lightweight and strong, and a lower aluminum module that houses the chassis, battery, drive system, and motor. Two smaller clamshell rear doors with rear hinges are included on the bodywork. The i3 had its concept premiere at the 2011 International Motor Show Germany, and Leipzig manufacturing of the vehicle started in September 2013.
From 2014 to 2016, it was the third-best-selling electric vehicle in the world; by the end of 2021, it had sold over 220,000 units globally. With over 47,500 units supplied until December 2021, Germany is listed as its top-selling market, followed by the United States with more over 45,000.
The 2014 World Green Car of the Year and 2014 World Car Design of the Year were both given to the i3, earning it two World Car of the Year Awards. The i3 won the first UK Car of the Year Awards for Best Supermini of 2014 and UK Car of the Year 2014, each of which came with an iF Product Design Gold Award.
Is the BMW i3 quick?
BMW states that the i3 has a top speed of 93 mph and a zero to 60 mph time of 7.2 seconds. Models with the range extender need about eight seconds, whereas the i3s completes the run in 6.8 seconds.
What fuel does the BMW i3 use?
20-inch winter tires are on wheel cluster 2. The chosen wheel and tyre sizes affect the values for fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, and power consumption.
The driving range is affected by a number of variables, including: individual driving habits, the route chosen, the weather, and the use of heating, cooling, and preconditioning.
The guidelines on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of new automobiles, which are freely available at all retail locations and from DAT Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH, Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern, Germany, provide additional information on the official fuel consumption and on the official specific CO2 emissions of new automobiles.
The BMW i3 with Range Extender’s engine exhaust gas that is used to charge the high-voltage battery complies with EU6 emissions regulations. The ECE driving cycle (93/116/EC), which consists of around one third urban traffic and two thirds extra-urban driving, is used to calculate fuel consumption (based on the distance covered). In addition to measuring fuel use, CO2 emissions are also measured. Calculations of fuel consumption use automobiles with standard equipment. Fuel economy and driving performance can be significantly impacted by special equipment, such as bigger tires.
Super unleaded 95 RON fuel is advised by BMW. Additionally allowed is unleaded fuel with an ethanol content limit of 10% (E10) or higher and RON 91 or higher. Based on the use of RON 98 fuel, the listed performance and fuel consumption rates.
The data are supplied simply for the purpose of comparison between various vehicle types; they are not based on a specific vehicle and do not form a part of the product offer.
According to Directive 1999/94/EC, CO2 emissions from the production and distribution of gasoline and other energy sources are not included in the calculation of CO2 emissions.
How do I warm up my BMW i3?
Yes, the battery will warm up if you’re plugged in (even to 120 volts) and have a departure time set at least three hours in advance. The battery will be used to make up the difference at 120 volts because the load is more than what can be supplied by the cord. It’s not much, perhaps a percent or two, but (probably temperature dependant). Several times I’ve started my car at 100% on L1 with a warm battery.
No. The battery will only be used by Climatize to pre-heat or pre-cool the cabin; the battery will not be pre-conditioned. The automobile must be plugged in, preferably at Level II, and a preset period must be specified. Oddly, this process is still referred to as charging even though it is only being used for battery conditioning. This needs to be set at least three hours before your leave, as the other member mentioned. If not, the cabin will only be heated or cooled.
Can I operate an i3 on gas alone?
Why might that therefore be better? Well, keep in mind two points we have discussed:
- The i3 REx relies on the battery charge and never uses gasoline.
- In some circumstances, your car will use more electricity than its range extender can compensate for.
Consider returning home over a difficult uphill climb and a stretch on the highway. Perhaps you are aware that will drain 10% of your battery’s power.
Before the range extender kicks in to get you home in the US, your battery can deplete to 3%. What if, though, your i3’s electric motor requires twice as much power over that last leg? You’re in trouble, to put it nicely.
You’ll probably exhaust your remaining 3% battery charge in addition to the range extender’s offset of the same amount. However, that only amounts to 6% of a battery’s capacity, which is far less than the 10% you required. So eventually your i3 will either stop entirely or trudge along at an uncomfortable rate to cling on to its last reserves.
Imagine being able to hold the battery charge as soon as it drops below 30% by foreseeing the future. That slope back to town suddenly doesn’t seem as terrifying;)
How do I halt the charging of my BMW i3?
Can I use the My BMW App to start or stop charging my BMW electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle? Yes. In the My BMW App, you may start or stop charging for your plug-in hybrid or electric BMW vehicle. Choose “Stop charging process” or “Start charging process” from the “Charging” section.
Can I power my home with a BMW i3?
Use your BMW i3 battery as a backup power source for a spare lamp, your laptop, and other gadgets to get through planned or unforeseen power outages. You can have two ordinary house outlets powered by your automobile using a 12v to 120V inverter. The 2017 i3 battery can power a lamp and your laptop for several months. You won’t need to fumble around by candlelight during a regular outage thanks to it. Without releasing any harmful gases into your garage.
The BMW i3 converts to gas automatically, right?
The short response is no. It’s vital to remember that the i3 REx still propels itself using an electric motor. Additionally, the REx engine kicks in when the battery capacity reaches a predetermined threshold, producing electricity to increase the range.
Can I use a Tesla charging station to refuel my BMW i3?
With a pilot project in the Netherlands, Tesla, one of the most prestigious automakers in the world, opened its charging network to other electric vehicles. The business declared that non-Tesla vehicle owners would be able to access superchargers at ten different locations throughout the Netherlands via the Tesla app. This indicates that you can use a Tesla charging station to charge your non-Tesla EV. There are a few things you should keep in mind, though.
Tesla’s high-speed superchargers can only be utilized by Tesla vehicles, despite there being charging stations for non-Tesla drivers. Therefore, it is not possible to utilize a Supercharger with a BMW electric vehicle because to the lack of suitable adapters. The truth is that Tesla has thought about allowing other electric vehicles access to its Supercharger network. However, nothing has been officially confirmed by the company, so these are still just rumors.
Tesla’s automobiles need various connectors because European charging standards are different from American ones. Due to the fact that not all Tesla vehicles sold in Europe utilize Tesla’s specialized connector, the charging process is very different from that of other markets, like as North America.
Tesla uses the CCS standard in Europe so that a variety of vehicles can charge at locations without an adapter with a similar plug. Tesla claims that non-Tesla drivers using its charging stations could result in the business spending more money to support a variety of vehicles and make site modifications to accommodate these vehicles. This, it claims, advances Tesla’s objective of accelerating the global switch to sustainable energy.
As rival automakers seek to launch new electric vehicles, Tesla has more than 25,000 Superchargers installed across the world while they have formed alliances or invested in network firms. The Combined Charging System (CCS), which is utilized by BMW, Daimler, Ford, and the Volkswagen Group, which includes Audi and Porsche, allows for the usage of the Superchargers.
How far can a BMW i3 travel when using a range extender?
Increases driving enjoyment: The BMW i3’s optional Range Extender, which is situated next to the electric motor in the back of the vehicle, can extend the vehicle’s range in COMFORT Mode from up to 125 miles to a total of 205 miles. The BMW i3 can continue to operate only on electricity thanks to the compact, noiseless two-cylinder petrol engine that powers a generator that keeps the high-voltage battery’s charge level constant. When the battery level is low, the Range Extender automatically turns on.
How much does a BMW i3 battery replacement cost?
- On eBay, a battery pack for a BMW i3 that had a capacity of 22 kWh at one point but is now only about 17.14 kWh is going for $2,500. This works out to about $145 per kWh. A
- According to a 2016 BMW study, a new i3 battery would cost roughly $16,000. This was for the 22 kWh packs used in the 2013–2016 model years, which came out to $727 per kWh in actual 2016 currency. A
- According to a 2015 InsideEV study, a 21.6 kWh battery pack would cost $13,725 or $635 per kWh. These costs were computed using data from an internet parts retailer. A