Topic: Test Drive: 2015 BMW i3

[Autos_Editor]

With its optional range-extender engine, the i3 electric car has a maximum range of about 240 kilometres, half that of a conventional car. But does it really matter?
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[JohnM]

A great first electric car design for BMW and they have placed themselves in a very good position to take advantage of electric drive and battery development.  No one else has their carbon fibre capability which gives them a huge advantage going forward.

The price seems pretty reasonable for the package and if you live in a major urban area, certainly this has to be all the car you need.  That said, heated seats and steering wheel should be standard on every electric car sold in this country.

Hopefully Canada will get its act together on expanding the national charging grid after this federal election.

Also, once you have experienced the incredibly tight throttle control in an ev due to the regenerative braking, it is hard to go back to a normal ICE throttle/brake system. 

Cheers,
John M.

[tpl]

As a piece of technology fine.  But apart from that I don't see the point.    Why a 2 stroke for the range extender?  I believe 2 strokes are more difficult to emission control and I think one would have to either use premix or add oil on every fillup.  More complexity for no good reason and why not at least have enough power to totally recharge the battery by letting the engine run while the car is parked and locked...might not need the facility often but when you did.  I would think that a small modern 4 stroke, perhaps an even smaller version of Ford's  3 cycling would be suitably small and easier to manage...whatever.

Why weird tire sizes...unless it is to provide income for BMW dealers.

and so on.   I'd never consider one of these  EV/Hybrid vehicles but if a gun was put to my head I think I'd rather have a Volt or even a Prius.

[JohnM]

Why weird tire sizes...unless it is to provide income for BMW dealers.

The narrow tall tires make perfect sense since they are better aerodynamically and given the car's light weight will allow much better penetration on wet and snowy roads.  The large diameter allows the weight centre to be very close to the axle height and it also allows improved ride over say 15" diameter tires.  So both the handling and the ride qualities of a BMW will be largely preserved by this wheel and tire choice which had to be one of the first elements they locked into the design.

I love that aspect of the overall design.  As you point out, your tire shopping will be restricted to one phone call.

The engine choice does seem odd but if you look 3 years down the road where they might expect to have batteries with double the charge density, then the engine is a very easy item to dispense with.

Cheers,
John M.

[OliverD]

I love that aspect of the overall design.  As you point out, your tire shopping will be restricted to one phone call.

That of course may change over time.

[MJMontreal]

As a piece of technology fine.  But apart from that I don't see the point.    Why a 2 stroke for the range extender?  I believe 2 strokes are more difficult to emission control and I think one would have to either use premix or add oil on every fillup.  More complexity for no good reason and why not at least have enough power to totally recharge the battery by letting the engine run while the car is parked and locked...might not need the facility often but when you did.  I would think that a small modern 4 stroke, perhaps an even smaller version of Ford's  3 cycling would be suitably small and easier to manage...whatever.

Why weird tire sizes...unless it is to provide income for BMW dealers.

and so on.   I'd never consider one of these  EV/Hybrid vehicles but if a gun was put to my head I think I'd rather have a Volt or even a Prius.

I think it's a two cylinder engine, not two stroke.

[vasyapirh]

Why did they make it a 4 seater!! there is potential for 6 seats.
If it had 6 seat belts I would buy one yesterday!

[AvgCdnMale]

I still don't get the "XXX lb/ft of torque at zero RPM" statement. The motor is not spinning while at 0 RPM, thus not producing
any torque whatsoever.

"XXX lb/ft of torque at 1 RPM" makes more sense to me.

[Sir Osis of Liver]

I still don't get the "XXX lb/ft of torque at zero RPM" statement. The motor is not spinning while at 0 RPM, thus not producing
any torque whatsoever.

"XXX lb/ft of torque at 1 RPM" makes more sense to me.

If motors don't produce torque at 0rpm, how do they start spinning?

[Fobroader]

Sweet mary is this thing ugly and expensive......nope, the Volt is a much more attractive car.

[tortoise]

If motors don't produce torque at 0rpm, how do they start spinning?

[whaddaiknow]

I stopped reading on page 2.
Too many quirks with limited benefits.
Fast charging is only available with expensive BMW charging stations installed in my home. Does that mean I am stuck with this expensive equipment once I don't have the car anymore? Is it compatible with other makes/models from other manufacturers? How soon before I have to upgrade (because they decide to go to a new "generation" charging station and the plugs aren't compatible anymore). The 2-cyl engine won't keep up going uphill?
To me, it looks like an interesting concept car that is not ready for production because it falls short on so many things.

[JohnM]

I still don't get the "XXX lb/ft of torque at zero RPM" statement. The motor is not spinning while at 0 RPM, thus not producing
any torque whatsoever.

"XXX lb/ft of torque at 1 RPM" makes more sense to me.

An electric motor can still push even though it isn't turning.  ICE motors can't.  Torque is push and hp (Watts) is work being done.

Cheers,
John M.

[Noto]

Too many quirks with limited benefits.
...
To me, it looks like an interesting concept car that is not ready for production because it falls short on so many things.

, reluctantly.  I want so much to like this car, but I just can't.  So many compromises to be made.  Tires?  Well, if there's a monopoly on sizing, prices will be higher.  Getting in/out is difficult.  The REX is not a standalone, like the Volt (i.e. you can't use it as a regular hybrid while never, ever plugging it in - not saying someone would want to, but ideally you can drive a Volt so long as you can get to gas stations.  Not so with the i3).  Everything just seems to be half-baked, or made as a compromise just 'because' and just 'to be different.'

It's not for me.  Shame, since CFRP sounds incredible.

[JohnM]

I can see some of the objections but this is a future car, not the old normal with some nre technology.  It represents a clean sheet of paper design and as new technology in batteries is introduced, the i3 will be able to absorb it and keep gaining strength.  It is one of the most advanced packages ever offered and even more advanced in many ways than the Tesla. 

The Tesla has the advantage of looking normal and targeting conventional aspirations.  Ditto the Volt.  The i3 is the new normal and deals very well with what our needs and aspirations are likely to be in the coming decade.  This took lots of guts on BMW's part and should be applauded.

Cheers,
John M.

[Ex-airbalancer]

.  The i3 is the new normal and deals very well with what our needs and aspirations are likely to be in the coming decade.  This took lots of guts on BMW's part and should be applauded.

Cheers,
John M.

I though the I3 look like the Element, which was a slow seller
This will not be a big seller , I not sure even if the dealer have i3  on the lot

[EV Dan]

.  The i3 is the new normal and deals very well with what our needs and aspirations are likely to be in the coming decade.  This took lots of guts on BMW's part and should be applauded.

Cheers,
John M.

I though the I3 look like the Element, which was a slow seller
This will not be a big seller , I not sure even if the dealer have i3  on the lot

I've seen one on the road. It certainly looked different. Metro-sexual would be one word to describe it which isn't everyone's cup of tea.
I also have mixed feeling about the REX I3 model. Sure, limited range is dealt with but at the expense of a heavier, slower and less nimble car, that also costs more. I'd agree with the half-baked comment here. As for the pure EV I3, the only thing wrong with it is timing, as in the battery tech is not quite there yet. First cell phones had the same slow start. However give it another 3 years and this feather light car will pack twice the battery at the same weight and won't need any extenders. I applaud BMW for the effort which in time will likely be profitable, while carbon fibre will no doubt be used to "add lightness" to their other cars.

[Schmengie]

Holy crap, what's this supposed to be, the Ultimate Wart-on-Wheels? Oh well, it'll probably be the perfect feel-good toy for rich (and possibly vision-impaired... ) eco-weenies who want to draw maximum attention to themselves while saving the planet from the rest of us. I'd sooner be seen in one of these:

[JohnM]

It it weren't for the dent in the hood, it would be perfect.

Cheers,
John M.

[mmret]

If motors don't produce torque at 0rpm, how do they start spinning?

Because of technicalities!

Some form of rotation is necessary for an ICE to produce torque, unless you pre-load it perhaps with air/fuel and hit the spark. But that is a very specific case.

But for electric motors all we need is a little Maxwellian cos(w * t)