BMW's Brand New i3 Is An Affordable Electric Car That's Fun To Drive
It's hardly a gorgeous car, especially compared to Tesla's Model S, but it has a lot to offer
An aluminum chassis and lots of carbon fiber keep the i3's weight down to about 2,700 pounds.
Excellent torque — a major benefit of electric cars — will send the i3 from 0 to 62 mph in 7.2 seconds.
More relevant for city driving is the 0 to 30 mph spring, which the i3 does in 3.5 seconds.
The i3 comes with an above-average range of 80 to 100 miles. An optional range extender (a small gasoline engine that increases battery power) brings that up to 160 miles.
For long trips, i3 owners can use BMW's "Add-on Mobility" which offers "flexible access" to gas-powered rides like the X3 SUV.
A fast charger can fill the battery to 80% in just 20 minutes, or all the way in 30.
Coach doors and a completely flat floor make getting in and out easy.
BMW says it offers the same amount of interior space as a 3 Series sedan.
In the new era of mobility, "trims" are called "worlds." The i3 offers three choices: Mega, Giga, and Tera.
- Trims: Worlds = Mega, Giga, Tera
Whatever you choose, a leather-wrapped steering wheel comes standard. This is BMW, after all.
Expect more from the new i series: BMW has trademarked "i0" through "i9." And it has already built the i8, a hybrid sports car concept.
[Source: Bloomberg]
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