Topic: Quick Spin: 2014 BMW i3

[Autos_Editor]

Built to challenge the idea of the "boring electric vehicle", there's nothing conventional about the BMW i3, except maybe the HVAC controls.

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[sly]

As in every articles about electric cars, I scrolled straight to the information about the range capability. As I found 160 km, I did not bother reading more, as usual. 160 km is useless for Canadians, especially since that range will be cut in half in February. I'm curious though and still waiting for a 500 km range for $35,000. Likely not in my life time.

[mixmanmash]

As in every articles about electric cars, I scrolled straight to the information about the range capability. As I found 160 km, I did not bother reading more, as usual. 160 km is useless for Canadians, especially since that range will be cut in half in February. I'm curious though and still waiting for a 500 km range for $35,000. Likely not in my life time.

It won't be cut in half in February.  I have done the math on the electric heaters.  You're looking at losing at the most 20% of that range.  I'm sure forum member Smart Electric will chime in with his experiences in winter in regards to range.  These are designed as commuter cars and fit that purpose well.

[Noto]

housekeeping:

In this case, the i3 weighs in at 1,297 kg (1,420 kg) ...

Did you intend to put kg and then lbs?  ...or are you saying its range is between 1,297kg and 1,420kg?  It should say "1,297kg (base; 1,420kg in highest trim)" or "1,297kg (2,854 lbs)".
and

The added weight slows it down to nearly eight seconds to reach 100 km/h.

The i3 is a four door hatchback, with an extremely roomy front seat and a tight back seat that is easy to access thanks to reverse-opening rear doors.

aka Suicide doors

...and promises comparable or superior crashworthiness properties

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2prYaASjqI
I'm not so convinced - 4* on the Euro scale - I am impressed with the pole test (despite the door panel coming off), but the moderate overlap looked like a mess - even the child seats struck the headliner!  Of course, we'll wait and see what IIHS says since their testing is far more thorough.

I think the material is stronger than normal sheetmetal, but I don't think that material has much to do with crash test-worthiness.

As for your conclusion, I agree that as an electric, it's a great car.  I am a little confused, though, that you say that you can't drive from Toronto to Montreal in it.  Sure, you'd have to stop at every gas station to refill the 7L tank, but wouldn't you theoretically be able to make it?  ...and if 7L gets you another 140km, then you're getting 5L/100km, which is very decent for a highway car (even if real world will likely net somewhere closer to 6-7L/100km).  I like range-extended EVs and this shows that the Voltec powertrain's generator is a pig (still, why no diesel generators in these things?!).

Great review, JY!

[Guy]

As in every articles about electric cars, I scrolled straight to the information about the range capability. As I found 160 km, I did not bother reading more, as usual. 160 km is useless for Canadians, especially since that range will be cut in half in February. I'm curious though and still waiting for a 500 km range for $35,000. Likely not in my life time.

You must be quite old then. At the speed the technology evolves, I would say we will see that in 5-7 years.

[Guy]

BMW has started delivering those. One was delivered yesterday in Montreal.

[wing]

Why must it be so ugly?  Two tone paint, ridiculous interior that tries too hard.  Just make it a normal looking car and people will buy it not everyone wants a jetsens mobile.

[wing]

I also wonder how much those tires cost -- let me guess special order only as the size is odd as hell.

[OliverD]

As in every articles about electric cars, I scrolled straight to the information about the range capability. As I found 160 km, I did not bother reading more, as usual. 160 km is useless for Canadians, especially since that range will be cut in half in February. I'm curious though and still waiting for a 500 km range for $35,000. Likely not in my life time.

160 km is likely sufficient for most Canadians' daily driving needs. I'd guess most i3 buyers will be city dwellers who are willing to rent a car for longer trips, or have more than one car to begin with.

[mixmanmash]

housekeeping:

In this case, the i3 weighs in at 1,297 kg (1,420 kg) ...

Did you intend to put kg and then lbs?  ...or are you saying its range is between 1,297kg and 1,420kg?  It should say "1,297kg (base; 1,420kg in highest trim)" or "1,297kg (2,854 lbs)".
and

The added weight slows it down to nearly eight seconds to reach 100 km/h.

The i3 is a four door hatchback, with an extremely roomy front seat and a tight back seat that is easy to access thanks to reverse-opening rear doors.

aka Suicide doors

...and promises comparable or superior crashworthiness properties

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2prYaASjqI
I'm not so convinced - 4* on the Euro scale - I am impressed with the pole test (despite the door panel coming off), but the moderate overlap looked like a mess - even the child seats struck the headliner!  Of course, we'll wait and see what IIHS says since their testing is far more thorough.

I think the material is stronger than normal sheetmetal, but I don't think that material has much to do with crash test-worthiness.

As for your conclusion, I agree that as an electric, it's a great car.  I am a little confused, though, that you say that you can't drive from Toronto to Montreal in it.  Sure, you'd have to stop at every gas station to refill the 7L tank, but wouldn't you theoretically be able to make it?  ...and if 7L gets you another 140km, then you're getting 5L/100km, which is very decent for a highway car (even if real world will likely net somewhere closer to 6-7L/100km).  I like range-extended EVs and this shows that the Voltec powertrain's generator is a pig (still, why no diesel generators in these things?!).

Great review, JY!

The second kg mass is for when equipped with the range extender engine.

[JRM]

goofy looking or just plain ugly?

[aquadorhj]

goofy looking or just plain ugly?

definitely goofy.     and quite ugly.

[Noto]

The second kg mass is for when equipped with the range extender engine.

OHHHHHHH, true. 

[Noto]

As in every articles about electric cars, I scrolled straight to the information about the range capability. As I found 160 km, I did not bother reading more, as usual. 160 km is useless for Canadians, especially since that range will be cut in half in February. I'm curious though and still waiting for a 500 km range for $35,000. Likely not in my life time.

see:
http://www.autos.ca/forum/index.php/topic,88263.0/topicseen.html

[JacobBlack]

The dashboard in this car is made of wood.
Which, as it turns out, is appropriate....

[jyarkony]

As for your conclusion, I agree that as an electric, it's a great car.  I am a little confused, though, that you say that you can't drive from Toronto to Montreal in it.  Sure, you'd have to stop at every gas station to refill the 7L tank, but wouldn't you theoretically be able to make it?  ...and if 7L gets you another 140km, then you're getting 5L/100km, which is very decent for a highway car (even if real world will likely net somewhere closer to 6-7L/100km).  I like range-extended EVs and this shows that the Voltec powertrain's generator is a pig (still, why no diesel generators in these things?!).

Great review, JY!

thanks, dishes and laundry are done.

You misinterpret.... My statement was: "this isn’t the car for someone that regularly travels between Montreal and Toronto or any other long-distance travel."

Stopping every 100 km to fill up the 7 L tank would be a royal pain and not something I'd recommend for someone regularly travelling long distances. I'd say the REx version is more for someone who might have to do indeterminate short hops throughout the day and need to occasionally go outside the range by a little bit, not long highway trips, or those that might have non-guaranteed access to a charging location (condo unit chargers all taken is one example i can think of).

but yes, "why no diesel?" is a good question, and it likely has to do with being easier to keep it light for gas engine without the filters and heavy diesel blocks.

and as to the dearth of fuel consumption information, we will actually have something a little more detailed on that side of it by someone with more familiarity with electric cars and a nominal 'competitor'... or at least the closest thing we could find that I happen to be driving this week.

[aquadorhj]

is it weird... i kinda want one.  ...  but holy FXKC is it expensive...  $45k.

and the model with RX weighs nearly the same as my M3.  thought it would be lighter.

[Noto]

As for your conclusion, I agree that as an electric, it's a great car.  I am a little confused, though, that you say that you can't drive from Toronto to Montreal in it.  Sure, you'd have to stop at every gas station to refill the 7L tank, but wouldn't you theoretically be able to make it?  ...and if 7L gets you another 140km, then you're getting 5L/100km, which is very decent for a highway car (even if real world will likely net somewhere closer to 6-7L/100km).  I like range-extended EVs and this shows that the Voltec powertrain's generator is a pig (still, why no diesel generators in these things?!).

Great review, JY!

thanks, dishes and laundry are done.

You misinterpret.... My statement was: "this isn’t the car for someone that regularly travels between Montreal and Toronto or any other long-distance travel."

Stopping every 100 km to fill up the 7 L tank would be a royal pain and not something I'd recommend for someone regularly travelling long distances. I'd say the REx version is more for someone who might have to do indeterminate short hops throughout the day and need to occasionally go outside the range by a little bit, not long highway trips, or those that might have non-guaranteed access to a charging location (condo unit chargers all taken is one example i can think of).

but yes, "why no diesel?" is a good question, and it likely has to do with being easier to keep it light for gas engine without the filters and heavy diesel blocks.

and as to the dearth of fuel consumption information, we will actually have something a little more detailed on that side of it by someone with more familiarity with electric cars and a nominal 'competitor'... or at least the closest thing we could find that I happen to be driving this week.

Ah, yes, I did misinterpret - sorry!  "regularly" was the keyword.

Should be really, really interesting to read that upcoming comparison between the i3 and the Volt in the background

[whaddaiknow]

is it weird... i kinda want one.  ...  but holy FXKC is it expensive...  $45k.

and the model with RX weighs nearly the same as my M3.  thought it would be lighter.

Ditto to that. Make the tires 185, and drop the price to $38k, and I'm on my way to do a test-drive.

[jyarkony]

goofy looking or just plain ugly?

definitely goofy.     and quite ugly.

I think it actually looks quite good from certain angles, and looks better in white or the dark grey or silvery blue or orange or pretty much any other colour than this one (i think this is Laurel grey), and the interior is fantastic.

Plus, the Prius has proven that people want a car that stands out as a green vehicle, even if it is at the expense of traditional 'good looks'.