2016 BMW i3
The Upscale EV
What if we told you that you could enjoy the environmentally friendly, all-electric driving of a Nissan Leaf and the versatile range-extension of a Chevrolet Volt—all wrapped in a unique and performance-focused BMW package? Sounds too good to be true, right? Wrong. Enter the 2016 BMW i3.
As part of BMW’s new i sub-brand, the 2016 BMW i3, and its sportier sibling the i8, offers an upscale alternative to your typical EV and plug-in hybrid. As you’d expect from a brand so obsessed with performance, the i3 sports unique carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic body components to ensure dynamic handling. There’s even an optional gasoline engine that acts as a generator, making it even more desirable and versatile to customers looking for the ultimate (green) driving machine.
Powertrains and Performance
When it comes to driving purists, some believe “hybrid” and “EV” to be dirty words (irony!). That’s often because most “green” cars tend to sacrifice performance for efficiency. BMW has never been keen on compromising, which has led it to develop the riveting and smart i3.
The 2016 BMW i3 is powered by a torque-heavy 125-kilowatt electric motor fed by a 22-kilowatt-hour (kWh) lithium-ion battery pack. The battery pack itself is located beneath the vehicle’s floor.
In its standard form, the i3 is a pure electric vehicle (EV). It earns 124 MPGe and can go an EPA-estimated 81 miles on single charge.* Total power output is pegged at 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, with power sent to the rear wheels. The car’s DNA coupled with its rear-wheel-drive layout allows the i3 to ride and handle better than any of its direct rivals.
The i3 also features impressive stopping power thanks to an aggressive regenerative braking system. This system smartly captures kinetic energy created during braking and returns it to the battery. The braking system is finely tuned, and drivers will quickly learn how to bring the vehicle to a stop without using the brake pedal.
81 miles on a single charge may not be enough for some drivers, which is why BMW offers an elegant solution. The 2016 i3 with Range Extender (REX) approximately doubles your electric driving range to 150 miles thanks to a gasoline-powered two-cylinder engine. In this format, the motor acts as a generator to supply electricity to the vehicle’s batteries.
Drivers have a number of options when it comes to recharging their i3. Full recharging times from a depleted battery can take up to 20 hours when plugged into a normal 110-volt household outlet. That time drastically reduces to roughly four hours using a 240-volt outlet.
It’s worth noting that the i3's navigation and various smartphone-app systems can help in locating public charging stations, and the standard DC fast-charging system can recharge the battery in just 30 minutes at one of the growing number of quick-charge stations around the country.
Features and Trims
The 2016 BMW i3 is a four-door luxury hatchback with seating for four passengers. MSRP for the all-electric BMW i3 model starts at $42,400,** while the BMW i3 with Range Extender starts at $46,250. The 2016 i3 is available in three different trim packages, which BMW refers to as “Worlds”: Mega World, Giga World, and Tera World.
Despite its position as the entry point to the i3 lineup, the Mega’s list of standard features is rather robust. Standard features include 19-inch alloy wheels, LED lighting, automatic wipers, auto-dimming mirrors, cruise control, and automatic climate control. Adding further refinement to Mega World models are heated manually adjustable front seats and BMW’s SensaTec premium vinyl and cloth upholstery.
Technology plays a large role in the i3’s design, which is why Mega World models also feature a lengthy list of in-demand technologies. These include Bluetooth® phone and audio connectivity; a navigation system; the iDrive electronics interface with a 6.5-inch central screen; and a sound system that includes a USB port, an auxiliary audio jack and satellite/HD Radio®. A DC fast-charging port is also included.
Climb further up the i3 ladder and Giga World models introduce distinctive 19-inch alloy wheels, keyless ignition/entry, and upgraded interior upholstery and trim.
Standing atop BMW’s worlds is the Tera model, which sports its own unique alloy wheels and full leather upholstery.
The 2016 BMW i3 can also be outfitted with an optional Technology + Driving Assistant package that adds an upgraded navigation system (complete with wider screen and enhanced electric vehicle information), real-time traffic, and BMW’s Online suite of apps and services. Making this package even more attractive is a long list of driver assistance and safety technologies.
Want to make your driving experience even easier? A Parking Assistant package adds front parking sensors, a rearview camera, and an automated parallel parking features. There are also stand-alone options like 20-inch wheels and a 12-speaker harmon/kardon® premium audio system.
Design
The futuristic design of the 2016 BMW i3 is hard to miss, so if you’re looking for an inconspicuous vehicle you may want to look elsewhere. If, like us, you appreciate fine design and don’t mind eliciting an envious stare now and again, then you won’t regret giving the i3 a go.
But the 2016 i3 is more than a mere feast for your eyes. Its Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic body (CFRP) makes the i3 one of the lightest BMW vehicles available. Not only does the unprecedented use of this advanced material add to its performance; it also adds to the vehicle’s overall safety. CFRP is 50 percent lighter than steel, but just as strong. It’s also the key to the i3’s remarkable performance and efficiency.
BMW also made the revolutionary choice of rethinking the vehicle’s architecture and separating it into a ‘Life module’ and a ‘Drive module,’ resulting in increased agility, driving range, and interior comfort.
The i3’s interior is a wonderful homage to futuristic design while also adhering to the elegant sensibilities of modern minimalism. The available, responsibly forested eucalyptus wood dash is a masterstroke in incorporating sustainable design. We’re particularly fond of it and the available olive leaf tanned leather, which uses olive leaf extract to tan the leather and protect against fading and wear.
Because connectivity plays such an important role today and will continue to do so in the future, the i3 also features smart mobile integration. With the BMW I Remote app, drivers can sync their BMW i3 to their smartphone, Apple Watch, Samsung Galaxy Gear Watch, and other mobile devices. When connected, you can check the battery’s state of charge, configure automatic charging times, and much more—all before stepping foot inside the vehicle.
Safety
If the BMW i3 is indeed a car of the future, then we can all take heart in know that that future of driving is a safe one. Standard safety features on the 2016 BMW i3 include antilock disc brakes (with brake drying), stability and traction control, front-seat side and knee airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Also standard are BMW Assist eCall and Remote Services, which include automatic collision notification, an emergency request button, stolen-vehicle recovery, remote door unlock and a remote-control smartphone app.
Rear parking sensors are standard, and a rearview camera and front parking sensors are available as options. The Technology + Driving Assistant package is equipped with adaptive cruise control, a lane departure warning system and forward collision warning (with pedestrian detection) that includes automatic braking for frontal collision mitigation.
Bottom Line
Nobody ever said the green car revolution had to be dull. The 2016 BMW i3 is an environmentally friendly vehicle that captures the momentum of this growing segment of cars and builds upon it in a number of meaningful ways. Its use of advanced materials coupled with its exhilarating and efficient powertrain make it more than worthy of the BMW badge.
For more information or to schedule a test drive, contact us at BMW of Silver Spring today.
* Based on EPA estimates.
** MSRP excludes destination & handling fee of $995, tax, title, license, and registration.
Image: BMW (European model shown)