Author Topic: Quick Spin: 2015 BMW i3 REX (Read 12969 times)

Autos_Editor · « **on:** December 17, 2015, 09:23:05 am »

The away-mission EV with a safety net.
Read More...

OliverD · « **Reply #1 on:** December 17, 2015, 09:31:49 am »

I know I'm in the minority here but I really enjoy the (admittedly odd) looks of this car. The interior is neat as well.

JohnnyMac · « **Reply #2 on:** December 17, 2015, 10:31:13 am »

I think it was beat hard with an ugly stick. I'd probably opt for a Volt or Leaf over this thing. The interior is unique but from what I've seen and read it's not very luxury feeling.

Sir Osis of Liver · « **Reply #3 on:** December 17, 2015, 11:14:09 am »

2015 BMW i3 REKT

Volt or plug in Prius 10 times out of 10.

Noto · « **Reply #4 on:** December 17, 2015, 12:30:58 pm »

JY, I FRICKEN LOVE YOU, MAN!

Quote

Competitors:
Chevrolet Volt
Kia Soul EV
Nissan Leaf
Type 15 Shuttlepod

Quote

It is the first starfighter.

You made my day.

I'm not sure the REX version is the one to get. Eats up space, adds weight, and with only 7L of fuel capacity, its utility is...well...very limited.

The Volt's powertrain is the smart one here. Extending range quite a bit while delivering compact-car highway fuel economy when the 1.5L 4-banger is running.

I applaud BMW for bringing a concept to fruition so true to its...well...conception, but the draw to this vehicle will subside without real utility. It's close, but as you say, BMW would be smart to rethink the REX design.

dirtyjeffer · « **Reply #5 on:** December 17, 2015, 12:41:22 pm »

looks like a smart electric...neat, but no thanks.

dkaz · « **Reply #6 on:** December 17, 2015, 12:56:50 pm »

I also like it, inside and outside. I sat in one and found the interior cheerful.

Neromanceres · « **Reply #7 on:** December 17, 2015, 01:19:21 pm »

Quote from: No-san on December 17, 2015, 12:30:58 pm

I'm not sure the REX version is the one to get. Eats up space, adds weight, and with only 7L of fuel capacity, its utility is...well...very limited.

The Volt's powertrain is the smart one here. Extending range quite a bit while delivering compact-car highway fuel economy when the 1.5L 4-banger is running.

I applaud BMW for bringing a concept to fruition so true to its...well...conception, but the draw to this vehicle will subside without real utility. It's close, but as you say, BMW would be smart to rethink the REX design.

I agree as a Leaf competitor in the pure BEV version the i3 a pretty decent car. But the REX is more of an emergancy use only generator. The i3 becomes performance limited when running on gas unlike the Volt.

BernardP · « **Reply #8 on:** December 17, 2015, 01:40:32 pm »

The 2016 Volt provides a more flexible technology, no range limitation and more size, for much less money. But it doesn't have the "cachet" of the i3.

Noto · « **Reply #9 on:** December 17, 2015, 02:37:09 pm »

The i3 has a much better drive, too, we're told.

OliverD · « **Reply #10 on:** December 17, 2015, 03:35:58 pm »

Quote from: kevlar on December 17, 2015, 03:11:06 pm

Technically I think this vehicle is brilliant but they should have made it bigger to give it a much larger battery to give it a much longer range. 400kms is the target I'd be aiming for.

Well they are working on an i5 I believe.

Noto · « **Reply #11 on:** December 17, 2015, 04:13:53 pm »

Quote from: OliverD on December 17, 2015, 03:35:58 pm

Well they are working on an i5 I believe.

And Pentium is very upset about it.

jyarkony · « **Reply #12 on:** December 17, 2015, 04:32:13 pm »

Quote from: No-san on December 17, 2015, 12:30:58 pm

JY, I FRICKEN LOVE YOU, MAN!

Quote
Competitors:
Chevrolet Volt
Kia Soul EV
Nissan Leaf
Type 15 Shuttlepod

Andy gets the credit for these competitors. Well played Andy!

And I would go for the pure electric too. that's quite a bit of extra jump it gains without the generator weighing it down. and that kind of 120+ range is reasonable for me.

However, the Volt definitely wins the range war, and I hear the new one drives very well - Even the last one drove well, so perhaps we can get a more thorough comparison set up this time around.

Noto · « **Reply #13 on:** December 17, 2015, 04:33:48 pm »

That Andy...I should have known.

...but Starfighter reference...all you?

jyarkony · « **Reply #14 on:** December 17, 2015, 04:45:32 pm »

Quote from: No-san on December 17, 2015, 04:33:48 pm

That Andy...I should have known.

...but Starfighter reference...all you?

you know it!

X-Traction · « **Reply #15 on:** December 17, 2015, 05:23:42 pm »

It's not unusual to see these things around Vancouver and Whistler.

chignectohead · « **Reply #16 on:** December 17, 2015, 10:55:07 pm »

Ever since I read the following road test, I wondered about that deceleration provided to regenerate juice when you let off the accelerator. Maybe not the best idea for snow driving, even assuming you fit it with winter tires.

http://www.autoworldnews.com/articles/13603/20150310/review-notes-took-bmw-i3-winter-road-trip-electric.htm

mixmanmash · « **Reply #17 on:** December 18, 2015, 12:29:25 am »

Quote from: chignectohead on December 17, 2015, 10:55:07 pm

Ever since I read the following road test, I wondered about that deceleration provided to regenerate juice when you let off the accelerator. Maybe not the best idea for snow driving, even assuming you fit it with winter tires.

http://www.autoworldnews.com/articles/13603/20150310/review-notes-took-bmw-i3-winter-road-trip-electric.htm

Very good point about the regen on the i3. Clearly doesn't appear to have been designed with winter driving in mind. Granted, the author of that article did mention driving on all seasons, but even with winters, I'd be wary of the lack of modulation.

slalom · « **Reply #18 on:** December 18, 2015, 10:00:45 am »

Quote from: mixmanmash on December 18, 2015, 12:29:25 am

Quote from: chignectohead on December 17, 2015, 10:55:07 pm
Ever since I read the following road test, I wondered about that deceleration provided to regenerate juice when you let off the accelerator. Maybe not the best idea for snow driving, even assuming you fit it with winter tires.

http://www.autoworldnews.com/articles/13603/20150310/review-notes-took-bmw-i3-winter-road-trip-electric.htm

Very good point about the regen on the i3. Clearly doesn't appear to have been designed with winter driving in mind. Granted, the author of that article did mention driving on all seasons, but even with winters, I'd be wary of the lack of modulation.

um, this genius was driving in the snow with the 20-inch SUMMER tires, no car would be controllable let alone the i3. And he also doesn't seem to understand how to one-pedal drive, it does take some practice but you don't just let fully off the accel, the pedal has full modulation of the vehicles speed, its not an on-off switch.

mixmanmash · « **Reply #19 on:** December 18, 2015, 01:34:43 pm »

Quote from: slalom on December 18, 2015, 10:00:45 am

Quote from: mixmanmash on December 18, 2015, 12:29:25 am

Quote from: chignectohead on December 17, 2015, 10:55:07 pm
Ever since I read the following road test, I wondered about that deceleration provided to regenerate juice when you let off the accelerator. Maybe not the best idea for snow driving, even assuming you fit it with winter tires.

http://www.autoworldnews.com/articles/13603/20150310/review-notes-took-bmw-i3-winter-road-trip-electric.htm

Very good point about the regen on the i3. Clearly doesn't appear to have been designed with winter driving in mind. Granted, the author of that article did mention driving on all seasons, but even with winters, I'd be wary of the lack of modulation.

um, this genius was driving in the snow with the 20-inch SUMMER tires, no car would be controllable let alone the i3. And he also doesn't seem to understand how to one-pedal drive, it does take some practice but you don't just let fully off the accel, the pedal has full modulation of the vehicles speed, its not an on-off switch.

Article claimed he was on all-seasons.