It’s time for the new BMW i3 (94 Ah) to be reviewed in the Fully Charged Show.
“The all new (well, an important bit is new) BMW i3 fitted with a larger capacity 94 amp hour, (or 33 kilowatt hour) battery is a major step in the right direction. I love this car,” said Robert Llewellyn.
Thanks to higher-energy-density lithium-ion cells, which increase the battery capacity of the new BMW i3 (94 Ah) to 33 kilowatt hours, the car’s range on a single charge has been increased from 190 to 300 kilometres / 118 – 186 miles (NEDC cycle), with a real-world range of up to 200 kilometres (124 miles) – even in adverse weather conditions requiring use of the heater or air-conditioning.
The 125 kW/170 hp synchronous electric motor accelerates the BMW i3 (94 Ah) from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.3 seconds, making this BMW i3 the sportiest and, with electricity consumption of 12.6 kWh/100 km (NEDC), most efficient electric vehicle in its segment. Revised electric motor management and further optimised, low-rolling-resistance tyres are among the many detailed modifications that have helped to reduce electricity usage.
By topping up the battery charge, the range-extender engine – a twin-cylinder petrol unit (28 kW/38 hp) – increases the driving range by 150 kilometres (93 miles).
The range extender BMW i3 (94 Ah)/BMW i3 (60 Ah) models offer combined fuel consumption of 0.6/0.6 l/100 km (470.8 mpg imp), combined electricity consumption of 11.3/13.5 kWh/100 km and combined CO2 emissions of 12/13 g/km. Since the nine-litre petrol tank is located in the front of the vehicle, boot space remains unchanged at 260 litres, expanding to 1,100 litres with the rear seats folded down.
With the launch of the new 94 Ah battery, BMW is also offering a battery retrofit programme under which BMW i customers driving an all-electric BMW i3 (60 Ah) have the option of swapping their existing battery pack for the new 33 kWh unit. This programme will initially be offered in selected markets.
