First Look: 2017 BMW i3 Giga World with Range Extender Test Car

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The four-door i3 seats four quite comfortably. Entry to the rear is via the two suicide doors and its overall dimensions are slightly larger than a Mini Cooper yet smaller than a BMW 1er. Inside, it feels as spacious and open as a 3 Series, however.

The BMW i3 bears the distinction of being the first mass production vehicle to have most of its internal structure and body made of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic, or CFRP.

For 2017, the i3 comes with a 33 kWh battery, up from 22 kWh in the previous model. This translates to a significant increase in range to 114 miles (183 kilometers) from 81 miles (130 kilometers). The 50% battery capacity increase is due to the use of higher energy density lithium ion cells that BMW and Samsung SDI developed specifically for the i3 without increasing the battery pack’s exterior dimensions. The 170 horsepower AC synchronous motor remains virtually unchanged as do the car’s performance figures.

With energy consumption of only 27 kWh/100mi, the BMW i3 is the most efficient car in its segment that translates into having the lowest electricity consumption costs (BMW says to figure roughly $2.81/100mi).

The range extender model, which is what our i3 was, uses a gas-powered motor to charge the battery while underway, thereby increasing the vehicle’s range to a total of 180 miles (290 kilometers).

BOTTOM LINE

Our love affair with this quirky, tall, stubby, fuel efficient Bimmer continues. The i3 is clearly a harbinger of electric vehicles to come. Will they be exactly like the i3? Probably not, but it does portend a generation of smarter and more efficient EVs that will make range anxiety a thing of the past.

THE DETAILS

2017 BMW i3 Giga World with Range Extender
Base price/price-as-tested $47,450/$54,2095
Drivetrain AC synchronous electric motor, front-wheel drive
Battery and motor 94 Amp
Horsepower/Torque 170 / 184
Range Extender Motor 0.6-liter 38-horsepower inline two
Transmission Single-speed automatic
Curb weight (lbs) 2,961
Wheelbase (inches) 101
Length x width x height (inches) 157 x 70 x 62
0-60 mph (seconds) 7.1
Charging time Level 2 (0-100%) (hours) 4.5
Fuel economy (MPGe) (combined city/hwy) 111
Range (miles) 180

(Photos: Accura Media Group)

 

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