i know what you are thinking. didn’t we saw this featured here sometime late last year? yes, you are right but the BMW i3 Electric Car was then a concept, and now it is officially an electric car that you purchase this November if you have €39,450 to spare ($41,350 in the US). granted that the futuristic styling of the i3 is not for everyone, still you can’t deny that you will be doing the environment some good, well, at least in the smog-reduction department (cos’ we still needs to burn something for the electricity, don’t we?). this four-seater future-style coupe (we prefer to call it a compact hatch), is driven at the rear by an electric motor producing 170 horses (125 kW) and 250 Nm of torque (184 lb-ft), and zips from 0-60 mph in about 7.2 seconds while top speed is electronically limited at 93 mph (150 km/h). not bad at all for an all-electric drive – especially when it has a real world EV range of between 80 and 100 miles (130 and 160 kilometers).
however, if you are paranoia about getting caught in dead battery situation, BMW will also be offering the i3 with a “range-extender” option that uses a modest 34 hp (24 kW) two-cylinder gasoline engine to maintain the charge of the onboard 22 kWh lithium-ion battery, boosting its maximum range to around 300 kilometers (186 miles), but that kind of mars your eco score card isn’t it? besides, with the 650cc engine on, it will add about 300 pounds of heft to its otherwise lightweight 2,700 pounds build. other highlights include a quick 3-hour charging time (on 220V @ 32amps), a CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic) cabin, 100 percent aluminum drive module, magnesium cross-member for instrument panel, a 50-50 weight distribution, single pedal driving concept with Brake Energy Regeneration, Macpherson strut and 5-link rear suspension setup, a super tight 32.3 feet turning radius, adaptive Full LED headlamps and LED taillights, a beautiful transmission tunnel-free interior and a pillar-less design giving it a 1 Series footprint but with a 3 Series interior spaciousness, and finally, a set of 19-inch light alloy wheels shod in 155/70 all-season tires rounds up the package.
