What it is: The BMW i3 is a four-seater, rear-wheel-drive, purpose-built electric vehicle. The i3’s electric drivetrain, which is made of aluminum and carbon fiber-reinforced plastic to save weight, offers it, in BMW’s estimation, a range of up to 114 miles. The Nissan Leaf, Fiat 500e, Volkswagen e-Golf, and Chevrolet Volt are competitors.
BMW provides a two-cylinder gas engine as an option for the i3 to help alleviate the range anxiety related to electric vehicles. Instead of powering the wheels, the engine charges the lithium-ion battery to increase the range of the i3. updated for 2017 The i3’s anticipated driving range increases from 81 miles to 114 miles with a greater capacity 33 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. The battery may be charged in around 4.5 hours using a new domestic charging station from BMW I using Level 2 service. There is now a power moonroof option. Important Standard Characteristics
- electric motor with 170 horsepower
- backwards-wheel drive
- both conventional back doors and front doors with a rear hinge
- Headlights and taillights made of LED
- automatic climate control
- Telescoping and tilting steering wheel
- front chairs with heat
- Folding backseat in half
- navigational aid
- Front airbags, antilock brakes, and an electronic stability system are required in every new vehicle.
In This Article...
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). 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.
The BMW i3 actually performs admirably in the snow.
The BMW i3 might appear to be terrible in the snow at first glance. It’s an all-electric BMW with rear-wheel drive, so its rapid torque may easily rip the rear tires off. It weighs about 2,800 lbs., which makes it relatively light and prevents it from pressing through the snow and into the pavement like heavier cars do. So it seems sense that the i3 is a little dicey during the winter. The small i3, though, isn’t all that horrible when the roads turn white, as this video from TFLC demonstrates.
In this video, a brief overview of the BMW i3 REx’s performance in the snow is shown when it is equipped with Bridgestone Blizzak winter tires. Winter tires are essential for all vehicles in the snow, especially rear-wheel drive electric vehicles, thus that last sentence is significant.
The tiny i3 is actually quite good in powder when outfitted with those Blizzaks. Acceleration is acceptable as long as you don’t pin the throttle, as said in the video, and it will really take off from a stop with little to no drama. The BMW i3 actually has good braking in the snow. Regenerative braking, which substantially slows down the wheels without actually engaging the brakes, helps the vehicle’s brakes, it is true.
The BMW i3 maintains a remarkable level of composure—even when trying to perform donuts in a deserted, wintry parking lot. You would assume it would slip all over the place and perform careless donuts. Though it struggles, the traction control of the i3 cannot be completely overpowered. That simply shows that the traction control on the BMW i3 will probably save your snowy electric butt if you do slide the car around in the snow by accident.
Overall, the i3 isn’t as horrible in the snow as most people believe. Even though the BMW i3 is rear-wheel drive, lightweight by today’s standards, and boasts quick electric torque, it is surprisingly capable in winter conditions—as long as you have the proper tires.
EV Performance, Power, and Motor
The i3 has a one-speed direct-drive transmission and pulls strongly, smoothly, and linearly. The ride itself is fairly quick. In our tests, a 2017 i3 took 6.6 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph. Both the standard model and the more athletic i3s accelerate quickly and provide a snappy sensation when driving around town. The i3’s ride is commensurate with its upscale reputation and peaceful interior. Up until the optional range-extending model starts its gas engine, there is no buzzing, unpleasant vibrations, or sound, so the experience is one of solitude. The i3’s suspension easily navigates through bumps, cracks, and expansion strips in the pavement, but to an extent that it feels too detached from the road. The i3’s small dimensions and relatively low weight make weaving through traffic enjoyable, even though the light and numb steering is less than ideal.
How about “managed drifts”?
Obviously not. Maybe if you have a nearby ice lake, as it does contain the necessary components—a rear motor and rear wheel drive. But we want to discuss something that is much more pertinent. Weight. The i3’s low weight contributes to its relative quickness, constant efficiency, and good range on a small battery. Thanks to its carbon structure, it weighs only 1,270kg, which is a third of a tonne less than, say, a smaller Honda e.
No of the engine, this BMW only has rear-wheel drive.
Specifications for Trim
The 2021 BMW i3 is available in two major versions, both of which, unusually for EVs, can be modified with a gas-powered range extender. The basic i3 costs $45,445 after the destination fee of $995. The cost of the i3s is $48,645, the i3 with Range Extender is $49,295 and the i3s with Range Extender is $52,495 respectively. Additionally, some vehicles are eligible for EV tax benefits, which might lower the cost.
An electric motor and a 42.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack make up the i3’s electric powertrain, which generates 168 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The i3s’ motor produces 199 pound-feet of torque and 181 horsepower. The vehicles are rear-wheel drive and have a single speed transmission. Both devices can be fast-charged using AC or DC power.
BMW ConnectedDrive services, Apple CarPlay, USB inputs, Bluetooth, HD radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, a 6.5-inch BMW navigation display with iDrive infotainment, heated front seats, a rearview camera, parking sensors, and LED headlights are all standard on the i3. The i3 also has 19-inch wheels, dark cloth upholstery, matte silver interior trim, and 19-inch wheels. The i3s upgrades the suspension setup and adds 20-inch wheels. When the battery pack is five percent charged, models with BMW’s Range Extender system employ a two-cylinder gasoline engine to assist in recharging it.
Is the BMW i3 a reliable vehicle?
If you’re searching for an electric car that’s convenient to drive around town and has a sleek, upscale cabin, the BMW i3 is definitely worth taking into consideration. However, you’ll spend more for the i3’s excellent appearance and quality than you will for its more affordable substitutes, similar to how an iPad compares to a white-label Android tablet.
BMW’s excellent iDrive system with a high-resolution 10-inch infotainment screen and sat nav comes standard in the i3, but the company’s wood dashboard trimmings and partial leather seats aren’t; they’re only offered as part of the Loft, Lodge, and Suite interior trim packages, which are optional.
The i3’s cabin still looks luxurious without one of these enhanced packs, and there is plenty room for you to get comfy – even if you are taller than six feet.
Unfortunately, there isn’t quite as much room in the back, but kids can still spread out comfortably. The i3’s unique rear-hinged back doors make it simple to lift in a large kid seat, and the back seats at least feel surprisingly airy thanks to the vehicle’s oddly shaped rear windows.
Unfortunately, it only has four seats, and the boot isn’t that roomy. The Nissan Leaf and Renault Zoe are hence more useful electric vehicles.
A small electric motor and a portable battery pack are included as standard equipment with the BMW i3. Although BMW claims that this combination provides you a range of 188 miles between charges, you may anticipate that it will actually travel closer to 160 miles under normal circumstances.
Despite being an odd option in a market that is already specialized, the premium BMW i3 is actually rather livable if you get beyond its futuristic design.
Another option is the “s” model, which has higher power but a little less range (officially 175 miles between charges). BMW estimates that the i3s will go a similar 160 miles to the normal model in real-world conditions.
Don’t assume the i3 is a sluggish eco-car that is just good for trekking to the store; in fact, the standard model’s 170 horsepower electric motor provides virtually instant bursts of acceleration that allow it sprint from 0-62 mph in 7.3 seconds. With an 184 horsepower electric motor, the i3s is even faster, reducing the sprint time to 6.9 seconds.
Regardless of the model you choose, the BMW is quite simple to drive. It is simple to see out of thanks to its huge windows, and parking is a joy thanks to its small turning circle.
It’s unfortunate that it’s not quite as cozy as the Zoe and Leaf. At highway speeds, you’ll hear quite a bit of wind and tyre noise due to the car’s firm suspension and huge alloy wheels that draw attention to road imperfections.
Both in terms of safety and performance, it falls short of the Zoe. Compared to the Renault, which received a five-star certification from Euro NCAP in 2013, it received a four-star rating in 2013. Automatic emergency city braking is also an option.
But if you’re willing to make this concession, the BMW is a chic small family vehicle that’s well worth considering if you mostly drive in urban areas and have access to charging stations.
Visit our BMW i3 deals page to see the offers that are currently being made.
With what does BMW plan to replace the i3?
After nine years of production, BMW has declared that the i3 is no longer being made, putting an end to the inventive and long-lasting little electric car.
Just a few weeks after the model reached a production run of more than a quarter of a million, the final i3 came off the production line in Leipzig, Germany. Ten units of the i3 HomeRun Edition, an ultra-exclusive special edition model with the company’s “Frozen paint finish,” have been ordered to commemorate the event.
The i3 was originally seen by the public in concept form at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2011, and when the production vehicle was introduced in 2013, it substantially resembled the show-car design.
The upright proportions, glass tailgate, two-tone paint job, and dipping shoulder line all deviated from the typical BMW design cues that customers had grown accustomed to. It launched BMW’s new “i” sub-brand, which was one of the factors contributing to the bizarre appearance.
Rear-hinged doors are always interesting, and they undoubtedly contributed to the i3’s personality, along with the interior. The technology was updated over the course of its existence to keep it feeling modern. The interior itself featured a low dash and window line for a light and airy atmosphere.
A custom platform made of a combination of aluminum, magnesium, and carbon fiber is positioned below the i3 to keep weight at just over a tonne. Due to the lack of weight, the vehicle’s ultimate fully-electric design had a maximum range of 190 miles.
The UK’s police, fire, and ambulance services all adopted the i3 due to its popularity with emergency services.
There won’t be a direct replacement for the i3, and a completely electric version of the 3 Series saloon is anticipated to receive the i3 badge. The iX1, an electric variant of the new X1 SUV, will be the company’s entry-level EV model.