The 2018 BMW i3 is making a bold step forward for an electric city car in an attempt to win over some new Bimmer fans with a more sporty model in the coming year.
The standard 2018 BMW i3 doesn’t change much from the previous model. Sure, the front bumper’s been changed and the track is wider but from the side it still smacks of the same old, same old. BMW has made LED headlights standard and added a combo of brown leather and grey wool cloth for the Giga World trim to the interior, but as the song goes the rest remains the same.
With 170hp the electric motor will propel (really?) the i3 to 60mph in 7.2 seconds with a top speed of 93mph. The traction control system is improved with better handling during inclement weather and a more agile response at speed.
That’s the standard. Now let’s take a look at BMW’s i3 sport modal. With it, we see the front and rear bumpers set much more aggressively and added sports suspension to lower the almost half an inch. 20-inch wheels are included and can be set off with black paint at no extra charge.
How does the sport i3 engine stack? Well, at 184hp it will reach 60mph is 6.8 seconds with a top speed of 100 mph. BMW has also set the drivetrain to better handle the increase in speed and added a sport mode to tighten the steering and throttle response.
Either model can include a range extender which uses a two-cylinder gas engine to charge the electric battery while moving. This will more than double the i3’s range from just 87 miles to 180. BMW charging stations can charge the battery fully in three hours with a standard outlet requiring 15 hours.
Both will include the latest iDrive infotainment system with an optional navigation system available with a 10.25 inch screen. Buyers can also opt for adaptive cruise control, parking sensors, active park assist and autonomous emergency braking. The i3 is part of the Connected+ umbrella for navigation services and integration with smart devices.
The official debut of the 2018 BMW i3 comes in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show with specific launch dates and detailed pricing to be provided later.
View our list of other 2018 model year cars and trucks.
Sources:
http://bmw.com
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1109035_2018-bmw-i3-preview-including-battery-rumors
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