[Mamasgotkids]

I was at the Seattle auto show over the weekend and they had the i3 on display (for looks only, it was roped off). It is not everyone's type of car but I thought it looked pretty good for what it is, an electric car. It was actually a fairly good size inside. I only managed to get one picture because so many people were looking at it.

If I truly lived in the city I think I would definitely consider it.

[newoldbeemer]

What's the range on this car? I believe the tesla model s has a real-world range of around 200 miles, I wonder if this would be more..

[ep_83]

Eh, not feeling it, but then again I'm not the target market for this car. I think it undercuts the Model S by like 20k though so it'll be interesting to see how well it sells.

[ep_83]

Originally Posted by newoldbeemer

What's the range on this car? I believe the tesla model s has a real-world range of around 200 miles, I wonder if this would be more..

80-100 miles... 120 miles in the most efficient driving mode. There's a $4000 dollar 2 cylinder option that doubles those numbers..

[btbossman]

Love it! especially in the config shown above!

[Mamasgotkids]

I think it would probably do well here. I drive past 2-3 Teslas in a normal day here in Seattle.

The color combo was definitely good.

[Michael Schott]

Interesting that some here compare it to a Tesla. The Tesla is much more expensive and has superior performance and handling. The top of the line Tesla with the largest range and most performance is about $100K. This is about $43K.

[drob23]

Tesla is pretty much the only serious game in town for EV's. Leaf, Focus Electric, Spark, Fit EV...none are really serious commuter vehicles, just grocery getters and around towners. IMO, 200 miles is the minimum EV range to make it a serious contender for a commuter. Gives you enough flexibility in case you screw up a charge etc. But I like the idea of a plug in hybrid so you aren't stranded. I3 is pretty damn cool, price isn't too bad either. I'd def go with the 2 cyl hybrid option.

[AMJAM]

I hope it dies along with every other electric car. If we want to move away from petrol hydrogen is the answer not electric

[snowghost]

Originally Posted by AMJAM

I hope it dies along with every other electric car. If we want to move away from petrol hydrogen is the answer not electric

+1

[glangford]

Originally Posted by AMJAM

I hope it dies along with every other electric car. If we want to move away from petrol hydrogen is the answer not electric

Like energy production, no one answer will fit all. Electric has its place. Yea, its not a great performer, but for city dwellers it has its place. I hope it does well. It is apparently selling better than expected in Europe, which is a good thing.

For my money I'd definitely want the 4k upgrade to include the 2 cylinder gas engine. That would give it a lot more versatility. The utlmate would be a hydrogen fuel cell to perform battery recharging and extend range, sort of like a plug in hybrid.

[rallybull]

A significant benefit of purchasing an electric vehicle here in AZ is being able to get a license plate for the car pool lane. Unfortunately adding the 2 cylinder option kills that possibility.

[tommolog]

Originally Posted by rallybull

A significant benefit of purchasing an electric vehicle here in AZ is being able to get a license plate for the car pool lane. Unfortunately adding the 2 cylinder option kills that possibility.

Don't be too quick to assume that. BMW is working to get car pool access even for cars equipped with the range extender. It will have the new BEVx designation and could possible still qualify as a zero emission vehicle. It may very well be granted car pool access with the range extender. This should be settled pretty soon.

[m_thompson]

I got to sit in the one at the Frankfurt car show. It is very comfortable and has lots of room. I drive 20 miles a day round trip, so it would work well for me.

[Mamasgotkids]

Originally Posted by Michael Schott

Interesting that some here compare it to a Tesla. The Tesla is much more expensive and has superior performance and handling. The top of the line Tesla with the largest range and most performance is about $100K. This is about $43K.

It doesn't compare directly to the Tesla at all. But as a place that definitely likes high end electric cars, Seattle is a good market for the i3. The i3 is really the only other high end electric car I know of. That's why in a basic sense it can compare to the Tesla.

[rallybull]

Originally Posted by tommolog

Don't be too quick to assume that. BMW is working to get car pool access even for cars equipped with the range extender. It will have the new BEVx designation and could possible still qualify as a zero emission vehicle. It may very well be granted car pool access with the range extender. This should be settled pretty soon.

good to know that. I still don't understand why this car is more than $10,000 more expensive than the chevy volt. It is the upscale interior, navigation and the BMW logo?

[tommolog]

Originally Posted by rallybull

good to know that. I still don't understand why this car is more than $10,000 more expensive than the chevy volt. It is the upscale interior, navigation and the BMW logo?

Yes, that is certainly all part of it however it also has a battery that is 40% larger than the Volt has and the battery is the biggest single expense in an EV. It also has an expensive and lightweight carbon fiber passenger cell and all aluminum chassis, a stronger motor (168hp compared to the Volts 149) plus being lighter it's much quicker. The Volt's a good car in its own right IMO, but the i3 should cost more, it has more.

[jadnashuanh]

Originally Posted by rallybull

good to know that. I still don't understand why this car is more than $10,000 more expensive than the chevy volt. It is the upscale interior, navigation and the BMW logo?

The volt's all-electric range is lower (35-40 miles verses 80-120), and if you want to compare performance, the i3 beats it to 60 by over a second (8.5 to 7.2) and I think, you'll probably find it handles better. The full range is bigger with the Volt because the gas tank is nearly 3x bigger when you add the REX, which does widen the gap more again, though.

The big thing for me, the stated driver's headroom on the Volt is listed as 37.8", and, from the best info I can find, in the i3, over 41".

When you add in things like the Nav system which is standard in the i3, and a few other things, the difference gets much smaller, but it's no indication what, if any, deals you may get from the dealer to actually buy one.

The Volt's transmission is a very complex piece of equipment...the i3 never uses the engine to aid the motion if you have the REX, whereas the Volt uses that transmission to modulate between both the engine, the generator (which can act like an extra motor), and the traction motor...really complex. The i3's transmission is essentially just a gear reduction, single speed device, and the motor never has any mechanical connection to the drive wheels, it only maintains the battery - the drive is always electric. The Volt is mostly all electric, but can use the motor for up to about 18-20% (don't remember the exact number here) of the forward propulsion. It's slick how they do it and why, but it certainly adds to the complexity.

[emKel]

I just saw this on the back of a flatbed in Orange County, CA. Interesting little car.

[cblandin]

Originally Posted by jadnashuanh

The volt's all-electric range is lower (35-40 miles verses 80-120), and if you want to compare performance, the i3 beats it to 60 by over a second (8.5 to 7.2) and I think, you'll probably find it handles better. The full range is bigger with the Volt because the gas tank is nearly 3x bigger when you add the REX, which does widen the gap more again, though.

The big thing for me, the stated driver's headroom on the Volt is listed as 37.8", and, from the best info I can find, in the i3, over 41".

When you add in things like the Nav system which is standard in the i3, and a few other things, the difference gets much smaller, but it's no indication what, if any, deals you may get from the dealer to actually buy one.

The Volt's transmission is a very complex piece of equipment...the i3 never uses the engine to aid the motion if you have the REX, whereas the Volt uses that transmission to modulate between both the engine, the generator (which can act like an extra motor), and the traction motor...really complex. The i3's transmission is essentially just a gear reduction, single speed device, and the motor never has any mechanical connection to the drive wheels, it only maintains the battery - the drive is always electric. The Volt is mostly all electric, but can use the motor for up to about 18-20% (don't remember the exact number here) of the forward propulsion. It's slick how they do it and why, but it certainly adds to the complexity.

The 0-60 time is closer to 8 seconds (7.8 I think) when the range extender is added (heavy little sucker). This is unfortunate because a 2 second performance gap over the Volt is a lot more compelling story than 1 second. Frankly, the whole lightweight carbon fiber thing on the i3 doesn't seem to net as much range, performance or driving excitement as the hype suggests.

[jadnashuanh]

I had not seen any tests or specs regarding acceleration differences between the base i3 and one with the REX. Would be interesting to review, if anyone has them. Please point the way!

For most of my needs, I could get by without the REX, but a trip to Boston is within range of the all electric, but not if you run into problems and don't want to die in traffic with the a/c off! So, should I get one, I'd probably go for the REX. If there were reliable locations to recharge, it would be fine. Just don't know if they'll exist in the near term.

Hopefully, one will show up locally that I can sit in. I've thought of going to LA for the US intro, but still haven't' decided if I want to spend the money and time.

[cblandin]

Originally Posted by jadnashuanh

I had not seen any tests or specs regarding acceleration differences between the base i3 and one with the REX. Would be interesting to review, if anyone has them. Please point the way!

For most of my needs, I could get by without the REX, but a trip to Boston is within range of the all electric, but not if you run into problems and don't want to die in traffic with the a/c off! So, should I get one, I'd probably go for the REX. If there were reliable locations to recharge, it would be fine. Just don't know if they'll exist in the near term.

Hopefully, one will show up locally that I can sit in. I've thought of going to LA for the US intro, but still haven't' decided if I want to spend the money and time.

Some of BMW's own specs are here:
http://m.bmw.com/m/mobi/com/en/newve...nical-data.cml