Category Archives: i3

Sitting outside the office (Image: T. Larkum)

Collecting our new BMW i3 94Ah

Blog, BMW, Electric Cars, i3, i3 94Ah

Following our family’s successful test drive of an i3 we decided to order one, and I looked around for a good deal. I contacted the dealer closest to my work in Milton Keynes but the only deal they could offer us was very expensive (ca. £600 per month).

Online there was a mix of offers available, most at very high prices but a couple at a good price. I researched these further and settled on a particularly attractive Personal Contract Hire (PCH) lease deal. I eventually took one, for a base i3 but with Loft interior and optional wood dash.

My first glimpse of our new i3 (Image: T. Larkum)
My first glimpse of our new i3 (Image: T. Larkum)

All of this took place about the time of, and was prompted by, the launch by BMW of the i3 version known as a ‘94Ah’ (because its new battery cells have a higher capacity than the old 60Ah ones). We are therefore receiving one of the first examples of this longer-range i3 to be produced, and the i3 was on the shortlist to follow our ZOE precisely because of the increase in range it would provide.

Our new i3 in the showroom (Image: T. Larkum)
Our new i3 in the showroom (Image: T. Larkum)

I was surprised but pleased to learn that although the car would be on lease, it could be supplied through our local dealer (closest to home), Wollaston BMW in Northampton. That was particularly appropriate as that was where we had our test drive.

Nearly time to go... (Image: T. Larkum)
Nearly time to go… (Image: T. Larkum)

After waiting was seemed like ages (but was actually only a couple of months) I went and collected the car last Friday. There was a minimum of paperwork but a long and detailed handover in the showroom covering all the main points of operating the car (my thanks go to Ben at Wollaston for his patience and attention to detail).

Sitting outside the office (Image: T. Larkum)
Sitting outside the office (Image: T. Larkum)

I then drove it out of the showroom and straight to the office in Milton Keynes. There I didn’t even get to sit down before I was asked to do test rides, and eventually took out a dozen people. It was no hardship, though, as it’s such a pleasure to drive.

I’m loving the new i3 and haven’t stopped smiling since I picked it up!

The i3 on our drive (Image: T. Larkum)

BMW i3 Family Test Drive

Blog, BMW, Electric Cars, i3
BMW i3 at Wollaston BMW, Northampton (Image: T. Larkum)
BMW i3 at Wollaston BMW, Northampton (Image: T. Larkum)

In June I took the family for a test drive in a BMW i3 as the PCP for our Renault ZOE was into its last few months. I had had two i3 drives in the previous couple of years, with cars from BMW at Warwick and Milton Keynes, but this was a chance for the rest of the family to try it out.

The i3 waiting for us (Image: T. Larkum)
The i3 waiting for us (Image: T. Larkum)

We arranged the test drive at our local BMW dealer this time, Wollaston BMW in Northampton. As well as the i3 charging up ready for our drive it was nice to see an i8, the i3’s pricier brother.

BMW i8 on charge (Image: T. Larkum)
BMW i8 on charge (Image: T. Larkum)

I had a good drive, as did my wife, and neither of us could see any objections. Our daughters also seemed happy with the ride, and the eldest felt that it was bigger in the back than our ZOE. That may partly be due, of course, to the i3 having just two seats in the back rather than three.

Jess demonstrating use of the rear ‘coach’ doors (Image: T. Larkum)
Jess demonstrating use of the rear ‘coach’ doors (Image: T. Larkum)

We took the i3 home as Wollaston had given us a generous time allowance for the test (about two hours). It looked good on the drive, but the main purpose was to confirm that it fitted fine in the garage and that it was happy to charge on the Chargemaster charge point installed for the ZOE.

The i3 trying out our garage (Image: T. Larkum)
The i3 trying out our garage (Image: T. Larkum)

We had a good look around the car. The boot is a bit smaller than we’d like, certainly smaller than that in the ZOE, but unlike in the ZOE the rear seatback splits allowing for some flexibility when carrying large loads with just three people.

The i3’s ‘froot’ (front boot) (Image: T. Larkum)
The i3’s ‘froot’ (front boot) (Image: T. Larkum)

The i3 has a ‘froot’ – the UK ‘front boot’ equivalent of the US Tesla’s ‘frunk’ or ‘front trunk’ – but it’s not large enough for most purposes. It does, however, handily take the usual car-specific bits – warning triangle, first aid kit, charging cable, etc. – that would otherwise be rolling around the boot. It exists, of course, because the i3 is rear-wheel drive.

The i3 on our drive (Image: T. Larkum)
The i3 on our drive (Image: T. Larkum)

Overall the i3 was a big hit, and we ordered one for the family soon after; we went for the longer-range i3 94Ah but that’s a story for another day.

2016 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV

The UK’s best selling plug-in cars revealed

BMW, Electric Cars, i3, Leaf, Mitsubishi, News, Reviews and Comment, Nissan, Outlander PHEV, Sales

By March this year, there were close to 60,000 electric or plug-in hybrid cars driving in the UK

Electric car sales continue to surge in the UK, with the latest figures showing close to 60,000 currently on the road. The Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV accounts for nearly a third of those, but there’s an increasingly wide range of different models on the roads.

According to DVLA figures analysed by the RAC Foundation by the end of March 2016 there were 19,945 plug-in hybrid electric Outlanders licenced in the UK, over 7,000 more than the next best selling electric or plug-in car, the Nissan Leaf.

The Leaf, however, is the UK’s best-selling battery-electric car. The 12,469 Leafs come with an electric-only drivetrain, whereas the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine to complement the batteries and the electric motor.

In third place was the BMW i3, with over 4,500 currently on the road. The i3 comes with a choice of two drive trains, with owners able to spec either a battery electric or a range extender with a 650cc two-cylinder petrol engine to boost the electric car’s range.

Read more: Auto Express

Gareth Butterfield spends a week in the all-electric BMW i3

BMW, Electric Cars, i3, i3 94Ah, News, Reviews and Comment

What is it like to live with an electric car? Gareth Butterfield borrows a BMW i3 from Stratstone BMW in Derby to find out

1183966_P90216952_highRes_i3_BMW

DAY ONE

I’M sitting in the showroom at Stratstone BMW in Derby waiting to be “logged in” to a car. If this week isn’t going to give me a glimpse into the future of motoring, I don’t know what will.

When I got to the dealership, I wasn’t ushered to a desk with all the regular BMW customers. Because I was picking up an i model I was led off to a newly-built, lavishly appointed area away from the main showroom and offered a seat with the firm’s “i agent”, Chris Whitmore.

It’s clear BMW has invested a small fortune into the i brand. As if trying to justify his opulent surroundings Chris begins explaining how it will soon become a standalone marque – I’m guessing in the same way as Toyota did with Lexus and Nissan did with Infiniti.

Except i will be an all-electric brand, focusing on sustainability and zero emissions but not forgetting BMW’s reputation for an involving driving experience. Alright, Chris, I’m sold. Give me the keys, I want a go.

I’m sent on my way with a smartphone app that tells me my car’s status, a fully-charged i3 and a quick-start guide. The last item I took possession of that had a quick start guide was a television. This car feels a lot cleverer than my television. It’s going to be an interesting week.

Read more: Derby Telegraph

A battery upgrade for the BMW i3 sees range almost doubled

New BMW i3 gets 195 mile range

BMW, Electric Cars, i3, i3 94Ah, News, Reviews and Comment

A new version of BMW’s i3 has been announced, improving the range of the electric supermini to 195 miles. The i3 94Ah model will replace the current 60Ah version this summer with a battery capacity of 33 kWh.

A battery upgrade for the BMW i3 sees range almost doubled
A battery upgrade for the BMW i3 sees range almost doubled

As Nissan has done with its Leaf 24 and 30 kWh models, BMW has kept the battery dimensions the same to prevent reengineering the model. Instead, it has worked on improving the battery technology to deliver more than a 50 per cent increase in range on the NEDC test.

BMW quotes a 195 range in everyday driving from a full charge with the air conditioning on, while the i3 battery electric vehicle (BEV) will complete the 0-62mph sprint in 7.3 seconds thanks to its 170hp electric motor.

The i3’s battery is made up of eight modules with 12 cells in each and the capacity increase has been attained through the use of optimising cell packaging internally, using more electrolyte and adapting the active material.

BMW offers an eight-year / 100,000 mile warranty on the battery and customers can specify an optional heating system to get the battery up to its optimum operating temperature of 20 degrees Celsius before heading off.

Average power consumption is rated at 12.6 kWh/100km for the BEV, and 11.3 kWh/100km for the i3 REX range extender version. The latter will achieve an equivalent 470.8 MPG and, because of the larger battery, has seen a 1 g/km CO2 reduction to 12 g/km compared to the previous model. BMW quotes a range of 276 miles.

AC multiphase charging allows for 3.7, 7.4 or 11 kW and will charge the i3 BEV in less than three hours despite having a larger battery capacity than before. Rapid DC charging capability comes as standard.

Although there have been no engineering changes barring the battery, specifications have changed, with the Protonic Blue previously reserved for the i8 now available on the new i3 for example. Interior trims are available as separate options for greater levels of customisation, with an Atelier package joining the Loft, Lodge and Suite trims. A focus on using renewable and eco-friendly materials has been carried over from the existing model.

Prices start at £27,830 for the i3 BEV and £30,980 for the i3 REX – both include the £4,500 UK Government Plug-in Car Grant – and the new models are available from July 2016.

Source: Next Green Car

A battery upgrade for the BMW i3 sees range almost doubled

BMW i3 range to be increased to 195 miles with July updates

BMW, Electric Cars, i3, i3 94Ah, News, Reviews and Comment

The BMW i3 will get a range increase of between 80 and 100 miles, while DC fast-charging will now come as standard

p90216973_i3_highres_bmw

The BMW i3 will get a hefty increase in range from July, when the all-electric and range-extender city car will be offered with an improved battery as standard.

The new higher-density battery raises the range of the pure-electric i3 – now labelled i3 94Ah – from ‘between 80 and 100 miles’ to 195 miles, although performance remains the same, with a 0-62mph time of 7.3 seconds. The capacity of the range-extender version of the i3 also rises, to a claimed 276 miles. That car’s CO2 emissions also drop by 1g/km, to 12g/km.

BMW is also making DC fast-charging standard across the i3 range (it was previously an option), and even AC charging should be faster, thanks to multi-phase tech that allows 3.7kW, 7.4kW and 11kW. The fastest of these can replenish the i3’s battery in under three hours, BMW claims.

The i3’s looks remain the same, although the car is now available with the same bright metallic blue paint that has previously been reserved for the i8 sports car. There’s a new standard interior trim, called Atelier, but the old ’Interior worlds’ – Loft and Lodge – are available as options. A further cabin package, called Suite, brings dark oak wood trim on the fascia.

Prices for the new-spec i3 will start at £27,830 (pure EV) and £30,980 (range-extender) after the government plug-in vehicle grant. Despite previous statements suggesting that new technologies would be made available to current i3 owners, BMW says it has no plans to offer the improved battery as an upgrade to existing vehicles.

Source: AutoExpress

BMW i3 Gets 50% Range Bump For 2017

Confirmed: 2017 BMW i3 Gets 50% Range Increase, Arrives In July

BMW, Electric Cars, i3, i3 94Ah

The long anticipated range improvements for the 2017 BMW i3 became not only a confirmed thing today, but BMW also announced that first deliveries would happen in under three months!

BMW i3 Gets 50% Range Bump For 2017
BMW i3 Gets 50% Range Bump For 2017

BMW UK sent out two special mailers to interested consumers and current owners on the subject today:

“Before the official announcement, we wanted you to be the first to know that, from July, the BMW i3 will be available with a new, higher capacity lithium-ion battery, so you can travel up to 50%* further on one charge.”

BMW also states you can pre-order now to get the new edition of the car in July.

As a point of reference, here are the “real world”/EPA range specs on the BMW i3 (both the all-electric and with range extending option) that comes equipped with a 22 kWh battery:

  • BMW i3 BEV: 81 miles/130 km
  • BMW i3 Rex: 72 miles/115 km

Assuming a true 50% range increase, the 2017 BMW i3 would have a ~33 kWh battery, and the following ranges:

  • BWW i3 BEV: 120 miles/195 km
  • BMW i3 REx: 108 miles/175 km

Read more: Inside EVs

BMW plug-in cars (Image: BMW)

BMW’s i models form foundations for green future

2 Series Active Tourer PHEV, 330e PHEV, BMW, Electric Cars, i3, i8, News, Reviews and Comment, X5 eDrive

BMW’s current fleet of vehicles has a number of green models available – but the company wants to push efficient cars further to the forefront of its model line-up and has developed a range of systems to help support it.

BMW plug-in cars (Image: BMW)
BMW plug-in cars (Image: BMW)

With the recent launches of the BMW 330e and 225xe plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models, the German giant now has a number of plug-in options spread across a variety of different market sectors. The X5 40e SUV has already been launched this year and the 740e PHEV is due too, giving BMW four PHEV models in its line-up in 2016 alone.

Add to that the i3 EV, i3 REX and i8 PHEV and BMW has a number of options available for those looking at plug-in models – compact citycars, a family MPV, a compact executive saloon, large SUV, luxury saloon and supercar.

BMW has also confirmed that it is continuing to work on hydrogen fuel cell (HFV) technology, to create a combination of set-ups – pure electric for short, regular journeys, and HFV for longer runs.

The new BMWs X5 xDrive 40e, 330e, 225xe, and 740e models are the first products to benefit from the research and development carried out by BMW’s iCars division. The i3 and i8 remain at the cutting edge of BMW’s efficiency programmes, but the lessons learnt from those models is already being filtered down to the next generation of ‘standard’ models.

BMW has announced that these PHEV variants will be grouped together under the banner of iPerformance – set to be launched at the Geneva Motor Show alongside the plug-in 7-Series. This brand is intended to indicate to customers the plug-in electric systems under the skin, and increased use of carbon fibre in some cases, despite the cars looking relatively normal, and not as futuristic as the i3 and i8.

Read more: Next Green Car