BMW i3 and i3S

This is BMW’s electric car designed to dwell the urban jungle while keeping the driver happy. You either love it or hate it, it is that simple when you talk about BMW i3.

Powering BMW i3 is a 170hp single electric motor with 250Nm of torque, which is enough to propel this tall hatchback from 0-100kph in under 7.3 seconds.

The more powerful i3S variant is powered by a slightly more powerful motor rated at 184hp and 270Nm, as a result, 0-100kph is disposed under 6.8 seconds.

To complement the more powerful motor, BMW has slightly stiffened the suspension of i3S compared to the standard i3.

The new BMW i3 and i3S packs a larger 42.2kW battery, of which 37.9kW is usable. The upgraded battery pack allows BMW i3 to cover 255kms on a single charge, whereas the more powerful i3S can do 245kms.

The battery can be charged from 0-80% in just 35 minutes under favourable conditions using a 50kW DC fast charger.

Unlike its rivals, the BMW i3’s power is sent to rear wheels. Being RWD, BMW i3 is not only playful but allowed BMW engineers to make the turning circle as low as 9.9m.

For those range anxious buyers, BMW is offering a range-extender version. The range extender version uses a 650cc 2-cylinder petrol engine which acts as a generator to charge up the battery.

At over $43,000 few rivals offer better range at a lower price point which makes much more sense. However, the main selling point of BMW i3 remains the handling, unconventional styling and quality of materials BMW uses.

 

Athul Z

Content Creator, MyTyre.