2018 BMW i3 AND NEW SPORT VERSION i3s

 

According to BMW their  i3 is the bestselling compact battery-electric vehicle in the premium compact segment worldwide since it was launched in 2014. The design of the new BMW i3 and the exclusive first-ever BMW i3s has been altered to enhance the sporty, urban built yet elegant design of the model. Featuring a wider track, wheel arch molding and design lines that are vastly horizontal, the 2018 BMW i3 models have morphed into a versatile, urban, innovative efficiency mobility vehicle.  BMW also offers a more powerful and sportier version of the BMW i3.

The BMW i3 leads the way to a new era of mobility. It is recognized worldwide as a symbol of technology, sustainability and intelligent connectivity in the urban traffic environment, which is why it has become the best-selling electric car worldwide in the premium compact segment. The success of the BMW i3 has been enhanced thanks to refreshing styling accents, cutting-edge equipment features and new digital services, but also to the addition of a new model variant – the first ever BMW i3s. The 2018 BMW i3 models will also be available with a Range Extender. BMW states both models of the I3 offer premium-quality, all-electric driving experience, meaning zero emissions and performance, in combination with the latest available connected technology.

A two-cylinder range extender gasoline engine is available as an option for all BMW i3 models. The engine drives a generator that produces power as required to feed electricity to the high-voltage battery, which becomes available whenever necessary. This extends the car’s overall range in everyday use by 87 miles, increasing it from around 97 miles to a maximum of 180 miles (Preliminary figures.).

This car’s architecture was designed from the ground up with electric mobility in mind. Combining the latest technological innovations with an evolutionary development of the car’s design and the expansion of the model range has provided additional impetus for BMW’s now familiar take on premium electric mobility. The character profiles of the new BMW i3 and first-ever BMW i3s are focused more on driving experience, which gives them all the ingredients required to strengthen their leading position in e-mobility and the BMW i success story.

The BMW eDrive technology enables drivers to enjoy emission-free mobility with instantaneous power delivery, efficient use of energy and an optimized range for everyday practicality that even extends beyond the demands of purely urban travel. The BMW i3 and the more powerful BMW i3s draw their energy from the lithium-ion high-voltage battery developed by the BMW Group with a cell capacity of 94-ampere hours (Ah).

The first-ever BMW i3s features a sports suspension with specially developed springs, dampers and anti-roll bars. Drivers can now also select SPORT mode using the Driving Dynamics Control switch. BMW states this initiates more direct accelerator response and tighter steering characteristics to accentuate the car’s sporting edge. Just 6.8 seconds1 is enough to see the BMW i3s burst past 60 mph on its way to a top speed of 100 mph.

 The agile handling characteristics of the BMW i3 have been enhanced with the improved Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system. This  revised, faster responding Traction Control system guarantees confident handling under all driving conditions. Traction in less than ideal driving conditions has also been noticeably improved. Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) mode now boosts agility at higher speeds and during sporty cornering, even allowing mild and safely controllable drifts when grip levels are reduced.

The synchronous electric motor powering the new BMW i3 generates a maximum output of 170 hp. Its peak torque of 184 lb-ft is available instantly from standstill, in typical electric motor fashion. This means that stepping on the accelerator pedal immediately unleashes a thrilling burst of speed. The motor smoothly delivers the kind of performance that drivers expect from a BMW via a single-speed automatic transmission, with continuous power delivery that builds up the car’s speed. The new BMW i3 accelerates from 0 – 60 mph in 7.2 seconds with an electronic top speed of 93 mph.

Buyers will have the option of ordering a 100% all-electric version of the i3 or one equipped with a two-cylinder range extender gas engine. Both versions have their wheels driven entirely by the city car’s electric motor which is paired with a single-speed transmission.

The i3 delivers 184 hp and 199 lb-ft, and the motor adds several performance-enhancing features such as taper roller bearings and a modified electronic controller. It cuts launch times down to 6.8 seconds and the top speed as stated above is 100 mph.

BMW claims a range of 97 miles for the all-electric i3 with the 94 amp-hour battery, the range-extender boosting that to 180 miles before a motorist needs to tank and charge up.

The first of its kind and more powerful BMW i3s incorporates a number of design elements all of its own that highlight its particularly dynamic character. Both the front and rear aprons are notable for their model-specific, powerfully shaped contours. At the front, the bumper inlay and its U-shaped surroundings are in black finish. The front fascia’s side sections are bordered on their lower edge by accent strips in BMW i Blue or Frozen Grey that emphasize the width of the car, complementing the front fascia. The accent in the closed BMW kidney grille is also painted in high-gloss black to give the grille a more prominent appearance. The rear apron of the first-ever BMW i3s is likewise composed of individually styled contours, while the black surround frames an extra-wide, body-colored inlay. On the first-ever BMW i3s, the roofline accent also sports the same high-gloss black finish as the A-pillars.

Visually, the 2018 i3 updates are relatively modest and meant to give both versions what BMW calls “a wider and sportier look.” The original versions “Black Belt,” which ran across the back of the city car, is now complemented by a black finish roofline and A-pillars. The nose has been tweaked to broaden the car’s stance, and accents new, standard-issue LED low and high-beam headlamps.

Like the exterior design, the interior styling of the new BMW i3 and first ever BMW i3s is rooted in the LifeDrive vehicle architecture. The carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell has a wonderfully spacious feel about it and is dominated by a sense of lightness. The design principle of the two four-seater models means there is no need for either fixed B-pillars or a transmission tunnel. Doors that open in opposite directions allow the occupants to get in and out with the greatest of ease.

The Mega, Giga and Tera World equipment lines are available for the new BMW i3 and first ever BMW i3s as alternatives to the standard Deka version. The optional Giga World includes a new trim for the seat surfaces in Giga Brown Natural Leather & Carum Spice Grey Wool Cloth which combines natural leather tanned using an olive leaf extract with a wool-based textile material. The BMW i3 and BMW i3s apply the concept of sustainability throughout, as other materials used are recycled plastics, renewable raw materials, natural fibers and open-pored, unbleached eucalyptus wood. Over 80 percent of the surfaces visible to the passengers are made from recycled materials or renewable resources. The available seat belts in BMW i Blue for the first ever BMW i3s only, provide a splash of color in the interior. Typical BMW i Brand lettering are also visible on the front floor mats.

A package of new services were introduced in early fall under the BMW Connected+ umbrella which enable a highly personalized digital experience. All of the digital services related to BMW Connected and BMW Connected+ will be available in the BMW i3 and BMW i3s. These span intelligent route planning, including stops at charging stations or gasoline stations in the case of the range extender (Send my Routes to Car), sharing of the car’s current location via SMS and live link (Share Live Trip Status). Also part of the Connected portfolio features personalized display of relevant in-car information (BMW Onboard), seamless transfer of route instructions to the customer’s smartphone or smartwatch once the car is parked (Navigate Door-to-Door) and direct syncing of contacts and addresses to the navigation system (My Destinations).

The enhanced BMW i ConnectedDrive offering ensures intelligent connectivity through services specially tailored to electric mobility. The On-Street Parking Information search service, now available for the first time in the BMW i3, can also be used alongside the Advanced Real Time Traffic Information (ARTTI) system with the optional Navigation system Professional. On-Street Parking Information helps drivers locate available parking spaces in many major US cities. It uses historical and real-time data to determine the likelihood of finding vacant parking spots in a given area and displays the information on Navigation Map. Specifically designed for BMW i, public charging stations and information about their availability can also be displayed on the navigation system’s map. When route guidance is activated, data about the route is also used to calculate the range shown in the instrument cluster as accurately as possible. Standard on the i3, the range map provides a visual representation of the current operating radius. With Navigation Professional, the dynamic range map draws a boundary representing the maximum range the vehicle could travel on its current charge status. It is also possible to display the different ranges achievable in each of the Driving Dynamic Control modes. BMW i-specific navigation features also include intermodal route guidance. This helps users to quickly and efficiently reach their destination by factoring in local public transport timetables and connections. Regular, automatic updates of the navigation data are now also provided “over the air” in the BMW i3, using a mobile network connection.

Power consumption and CO2 emissions for the BMW i3 (94 Ah):
Fuel consumption in l/100 km (combined): 0
CO2 emissions in g/km (combined): 0
Power consumption in kWh/100 km: 13.6–13.1
Electric range in km (combined): 300–290
Customer-oriented electric range in km: up to 200

Power consumption and CO2 emissions for the BMW i3 (94 Ah) with Range Extender:
Fuel consumption in l/100 km (combined): 0.6
CO2 emissions in g/km (combined): 14–13
Power consumption in kWh/100 km (combined): 11.9–11.5
Electric range in km (combined): 235–225
Customer-oriented total electric range in km: up to 330

Power consumption and CO2 emissions for the BMW i3s (94 Ah):
Fuel consumption in l/100 km (combined): 0
CO2 emissions in g/km (combined): 0
Power consumption in kWh/100 km: 14.3
Electric range in km (combined): 280
Customer-oriented electric range in km: up to 200

Power consumption and CO2 emissions for the BMW i3s (94 Ah) with Range Extender:
Fuel consumption in l/100 km (combined): 0.7
CO2 emissions in g/km (combined): 14
Power consumption in kWh/100 km (combined): 12.5
Electric range in km (combined): 220
Customer-oriented total electric range in km: up to 330

These values are provisional figures and have not yet been confirmed.

The figures for fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and power consumption depend on the wheel and tire sizes selected. Consumption data is determined in accordance to the ECE driving cycle.

The driving range depends on a variety of factors, especially: personal driving behavior, selected route, weather conditions, usage of heating/cooling and preconditioning.

The pricing for the 2018 i3 and i3s is unknown. Presently BMW i3 starts at $42,400 with a short-range 60 Ah battery, $44,450 with the 94 Ah pack, and $48,300 for the 94 Ah battery with range-extender engine.

BMW’s I3 and I3s represent the future of urban mobility.

The 2018 i 3 models will make their official introduction at the Frankfort auto show in Septemberr.

REVIEWED BY OUR TEAM

BRUCE HUBBARD

BRADLEY HUBBARD

BONNIE LYNCH