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.
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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.
Cost and Which One to Purchase
The 2021 i3 includes a gas-powered range extender for individuals who don’t trust driving on electricity alone, in contrast to other electric cars on the market (excluding hybrids). Even with the fossil-fuel backup, we wouldn’t drive far in our i3. Instead, we would choose the electric-only model and mostly utilize it for our daily commute on short highway segments and within the city. Although the i3s is supposed to be more enjoyable to drive, we recommend sticking with the most affordable variant. Although there aren’t many choices besides exterior and interior colors, we’d pick the Giga World package. It features heated front seats, Apple CarPlay compatibility, and GPS in addition to its distinctive brown leather and gray fabric upholstery.
Ask Us Anything: Can the BMW i3 be fuel-powered?
The operation of the range extender in the BMW i3 is one of the most frequently asked questions. Some readers have inquired as to whether the BMW i3 REx uses gas when the battery is running low. Please give us a moment to explain the Range Extender mechanism before we respond to your query properly. There have been concerns since since BMW’s Financial Officer Frederick Eichinerto indicated in early February 2011 that the i3 would have an optional gasoline powerplant to increase the vehicle’s range.
There is no other REx like the one on the i3 that is currently being offered. No other automaker has ever offered a range extender as an optional feature on an electric vehicle, giving customers the freedom to select the model that best meets their individual driving requirements (BEV or extended range PHEV). BMW made the vehicle’s range extender as compact, effective, and light as they could.
According to BMW, the range extender is an APU (auxiliary power unit), and its main purpose is to increase the vehicle’s range so that the driver may go safely home or to the next charging station without being concerned about being stranded due to a low battery. A 0.6-liter engine from the BMW C600 scooter and a 2.4-gallon gasoline tank are added to the REx in the BMW i3 to supplement its battery pack. Compared to the engine of the same displacement in the BMW scooter, the 647cc engine installed in the i3 REx is tuned differently. The REx engine, which is mounted between the rear wheels, produces 38 horsepower and 41 lb-ft (55 Nm) of torque at 4,300 RPM.
In order for the i3 REx to be eligible for incentives, the fuel tank was limited to 1.9 gallons in the US. Depending on the driving mode, the Range Extender might increase the range by 40 to 80 miles. Due to the newer models’ larger batteries, the European i3s discontinued the REx option in 2018, although the US-bound electric BMWs kept it. The Range Extender adds 265 lbs to the overall weight of BMW i3 vehicles.
Finding a gasoline filler door on the passenger front fender is the quickest way to identify an i3 REx. The pure electric range and the gasoline range are displayed on the instrument panel of the i3 when the driver is seated. If you pay close attention, you can see the Vehicle Emission Control Information on the DOT tag on the rear hatch, which lists gasoline on the i3 REx and indicates the presence of the OBD: II rather than an OBD: N/A – not applicable next to the i3 BEV version.
On a BMW i3, how do you turn on the Range Extender?
You can manually start the range extender with the iDrive if you want to save the electric charge for later in the journey. Press the MENU button, then, with the iDrive Controller, choose “Settings,” “Range Extender,” and then “Hold State of Charge.”
BMW stopped producing the i3 range extender when?
The BMW i3 had a unique architecture, unlike many hatchback-sized, all-electric vehicles that use the same underpinnings as their internal combustion counterparts. This contributed to the newly established electrified BMW I subdivision’s credibility in 2013, which was further strengthened by the plug-in hybrid i8 the following year.
In addition to demonstrating BMW’s commitment to the pure-electric industry, the i3’s platform also made it possible for it to acquire upgraded powertrains over the course of its lifecycle. It had an initial range of only 81 miles with a 22.6kWh battery pack (19kWh of which were serviceable). With a two-cylinder motorcycle engine from BMW Motorrad, the range-extender version of the i3 was available from the start and extended the vehicle’s range by 150 miles.
In 2017, BMW discontinued the range-extender variant and added a larger 33kWh battery to the pure-electric vehicle, extending the range to 114 miles. The facelifted BMW i3 was introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show of the same year with revised front and rear bumpers, standard-fit LED headlights, and updated wheel arch trims. Range was increased to 187 miles, and a sportier i3s model with a more potent motor, lowered suspension, and a wider track joined the lineup. With the most recent version of the iDrive system integrated into the 10.25-inch screen on the dash, the inside of the i3 remained almost unaltered.
The range was increased to a maximum of 190 miles in 2019 thanks to the installation of a larger 42.2kWh battery pack.
BMW declared that it would stop producing the i3 in 2022. In June 2022, a few weeks after sales of the i3 reached over 250,000 units worldwide, the final one rolled off the production line in Leipzig, Germany.
Similar to the final 18 limited edition i8s in 2020, BMW commissioned 18 units of the i3 to celebrate the end of production. Each unit was painted in BMW’s Galvanic Gold Metallic.
The battery is charged by the BMW i3 Range Extender.
With a 22 kWh (18.8 kWh useable) battery, the BMW i3 has an electric car range of 80 to 100 miles. By adjusting the accelerator pedal response, the ECO PRO mode can extend the range by 12%, and the ECO PRO+ mode can extend the range by up to 24% by lowering the top speed to 55 mph and switching the heating and cooling systems to their most energy-saving settings. Its 170 horsepower electric motor and 184 lb-ft of torque enable it to reach 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, go from 50 to 75 mph in 4.9 seconds, and reach a top speed of 93 mph despite weighing only 2799 pounds.
Small 2 cylinder, 0.647 liter (39.5 cubic inch), inline 4-valve per cylinder gasoline engine, the Range Extender generates 34 horsepower and 40 lb-ft of torque at 4300 revolutions per minute. The wheels are not connected to the gasoline engine, which is just used to recharge the batteries. You can go between 160 and 180 miles with the Range Extender. ECO PRO and ECO PRO+ both extend the range by 12% and 24%, respectively, similar to the all-electric model.
The weight of a BMW i3 fitted with a range extender is increased by 265 lbs, bringing the total weight of the vehicle to 3064 lbs. Although the highest speed stays the same, the additional weight somewhat reduces performance. (0.7 seconds slower than the all-electric version) The sprint from 0 to 60 mph takes 7.9 seconds, and the sprint from 50 to 75 mph takes 5.5 seconds (0.6 seconds slower).
What is the BMW i3’s maximum range?
The BMW i3 with the most range? The BMW i3 and i3s with the optional Range Extender will have a 200-mile range, which is the longest range in the model’s history. This translates to a combustion engine range of 74 miles and an all-electric range of 126 miles.
How can I tell whether my computer has an i3 Range Extender?
You’ll notice the I3 reset when you restart the car, and then you’re ready to go with range extender control. Check the box under “Menu,” “Settings,” “Range Extender,” and your Range Extender will operate and sustain the battery so long as it has less than 75% SOC.
How far can the BMW i3 actually travel?
According to BMW, the i3 variants have a range of between 177 and 193 miles, depending on the choices and equipment. In practical use, aim for 140–150 miles, averaging at least four miles per kWh. It’s a productive device.
On a 50kW fast charger, the 42.2kWh battery can be charged to 80% in 45 minutes. But it can’t take a charge any quicker than that.
Is the BMW i3 being phased out?
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 (along with the i8 sports car).
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.