What is it?
The makers of 'the ultimate driving machine' perhaps felt they could cut themselves some slack when they made the BMW i3. The electrically driven small premium model is one of the most interesting cars on sale to sit in, be around and examine, but has not hitherto been terribly exciting to drive.
Three years on from its launch, here is the BMW i3s: faster, lower, a bit wider and with 'S' in its name, which as we all know is shorthand for sport. Nobody ever added that letter to a car’s name while trying to imply it was slower or more sensible.
There is meant to be more 'ultimate driving machine' to the i3s, then, so it has an additional 13bhp (now reaching 181bhp) and 15lb ft (now at 199lb ft) over the conventional i3, although it is backed by the same 33.2kWh battery. You can still have it as a pure electric vehicle or with a 650cc twin-cylinder range-extending generator, which adds easily refillable range and 120kg.
More significant, though, when it comes to the way the i3s drives, is the fact that it rides 10mm lower than a regular i3, has a 40mm wider track (and diddy wheel arch extensions to accommodate it) and rides on larger wheels and tyres. There is now 195/55 profile rubber on 20in rims, rather than 155/70in tyres on 19s - something you suspect will make the biggest difference to the ride and handling.
Elsewhere, the i3s package remains much the same. It’s a rear-engined, rear-motored, rear-drive vehicle with a funky interior, constructed in places from unusual materials. This model, though, gets a new 10.3in infotainment display, with BMW’s latest software.
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3yr owner
Just to say Ive owned my 96aHRex now for three years, it has been fault free and covered just shy of 40000 miles. In that time i have used under 100 litres of fuel just using it occasionally on longer runs to get to the next motorway CCS charger, or skip a services if the CCS charger is in use when I get there/or the charger not working. It has been the best car I have ever owned, fast,fun,frugal and fits the spec of what I need exactly. Longer runs do need a little prior planning. I had an i3s as a loan car during a service one day and found that to be hard on the suspension and bigger wheels, I actually prefer the thrttle responce in eco rather than comfort as it is a less jerky/smoother power delivery. I think it is a great shame the rx has been withdrawn, to my mind the charging network is just patchy and increasingly busy as EVs become more common. On a recent trip from Exeter to Heathrow my first choice CCS rapid charger destination was occupied and in use at off peak times, in a 100% electric vehicle I would have been forced to stay there and wait until it became free possibly adding 2 hours to the round trip, the ability to just run in rex mode for 20-30 miles is very useful in these situations. On one occasion the CCS charger was non functional, in a 100% electric vehicle I would have needed a recovery vehicle to get to the next charger, the rex avoided this totally.
Love the car though!
Perhaps Matt or an actual
Perhaps Matt or an actual owner could comment on how the ride compares with the standard i3 as this is important for me and doubtless others too. No point worrying about Tesla until they start making in senssible numbers!
Accuracy?
As for fun to drive - autocar and the rest raved about how much more fun it was than other EVs. Must be spoilt by all those super car reviews!
Extra frontal area, unsprung weight increase and extra aero drag won't help latest i3 variant at the grid pump.
They should have gone with supercaps for better regen and lower weight if not wanting to increase battery energy density.
As for h2popov try #riversimple #addlightness fight #vehicleobesity