2017 BMW i3
New for 2017
The i3 gets a major update for 2017, including a larger battery pack and some new equipment and trim options.
More Than Just An Electric Car
When BMW set out to design the 2017 BMW i3, it took the concept of efficiency to a whole new level. It didn’t just give its first mass-production electric car a zero-emission powertrain, it gave it a lightweight body engineered like no other, and even an interior made from sustainable materials. Having been on sale for a few years now, the i3 is getting a major upgrade. A new, larger battery pack should help quell range anxiety, and maybe win over some more electric-car converts.
Performance
The i3 is an electric car that comes in two flavors. BMW offers an all-electric version, as well as a range-extended (REx) version with a small gasoline engine that acts as a backup generator.
Both models use an electric motor that produces 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, which drives the rear wheels. The REx model adds a 0.65-liter two-cylinder engine, which uses its 38 horsepower purely to generate electricity for the onboard lithium-ion battery pack. For 2017, that battery pack grows in size from 22 kilowatt-hours to 33 kWh.
With the standalone electric powertrain, the i3 has an EPA-rated range of 114 miles, and gets 118 MPGe combined (129 MPGe city, 106 MPGe highway).* The REx gets 150 miles of total range, with 72 miles solely on electric power. The EPA rates the REx at 117 MPGe combined on electric power, and 39 mpg combined when running on gasoline.*
The i3 may have been designed for efficiency, but it’s still a BMW. It has the same 50/50 weight distribution as other BMW models, plus rear-wheel drive and proper BMW performance. BMW says the all-electric i3 will do 0 to 60 mph in 7.0 seconds, while the i3 REx will do 0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds. Both versions have a top speed of 93 mph.
Features
The 2017 BMW i3 is a five-door, four-seat hatchback. Pricing starts at $44,595 for the all-electric i3, and $48,445 for the i3 REx.**
Standard features include 19-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, DC fast-charging capability, three-stage heated front seats, 50/50 split-folding rear seats, multifunction steering wheel, Bluetooth®, navigation, BMW iDrive infotainment system, and other features.
In addition to the standard equipment, optional features include a power moonroof, harman/kardon® audio system, and Sport 20-inch BMW i Light Alloy Double Spoke wheels.
Like just about every other element of the i3, BMW did the trim levels a bit differently. Apart from the standard and optional equipment, the i3 comes in different trim packages called “worlds.” The base version is called the Mega World, but buyers can also upgrade to the Giga World and Tera World. Each “world” gets its own special exterior and interior styling elements.
Design
The BMW i3 differs radically from other cars, and not just because of its electric powertrain. Virtually everything about the i3’s design is unusual or innovative in some way. BMW wanted the i3 to be the complete package, not just an ordinary car with some batteries.
It’s immediately apparent that the i3 is something different. At first glance, it looks like a conventional city car. Yet that’s not the whole story. The i3 is fairly tall, offering an SUV-like driving position, and has a wide stance. Other interesting details include the rear-hinged suicide doors and the tires, which look like they belong on a bicycle. That’s to reduce frontal area and drag, which in turn increases efficiency.
Some interesting things are happening under the skin, too. The i3’s chassis actually consists of two components. The body structure or “Life Module” is made from carbon fiber-reinforced plastic that is incredibly strong, but also light. A separate aluminum structure called the “Drive Module” houses the battery pack and powertrain, and provides contact points for the suspension.
On the inside, BMW took the concept of sustainability further than any other carmaker. Instead of leather, the i3 features upscale cloth seating surfaces, and a large portion of the plastics are made from recycled materials. BMW also employed a plant-based material called kenaf for much of the interior trim. The result is a new and unusual take on a luxury-car interior.
Safety
Standard safety equipment on the 2017 BMW i3 includes anti-lock brakes, stability and traction controls, and a full array of airbags. Optional features include adaptive cruise control, park distance control, parking assistant, and a rearview camera.
Verdict
The 2017 BMW i3 isn’t just an electric car. It’s a look at what the future of all cars could be.
Contact us today to schedule a test drive, or visit BMW of Catonsville at 6700 Baltimore National Pike, Catonsville, MD 21228.
* Preliminary consumption figures shown. Please go to bmwusa.com for latest available information. Your actual mileage will vary, depending on speed, driving habits, trip length and driving conditions; actual mileage may be lower.
** MSRP excludes destination & handling fee of $995, tax, title, license, and registration.
Image: BMW