The Future is ‘i’

It is certainly not unusual to see new BMW models arriving on our streets with quite some regularity. The 2 Series Coupe, 3 series Gran Tourismo, 4 Series Gran Coupe, and most recently the X4 and 2 Series Active Tourer – all are fairly recent arrivals adding to the diverse makeup of the BMW range.  However there is one new model this year that really stands out as something special, and that’s the BMW i3, the very first all-electric vehicle from the German automaker.

 

The development of the i3 – part of the company’s Project i which also includes the soon-to-be-released i8 – has been a long and thoughtful process for BMW. The first phase included development and then field testing of the MINI E in 2009, followed by global testing of the ActiveE 1 series in 2012.

 

Now finally the wait is over, and we can drive what is certain to be just the beginning of a huge shift for BMW as it looks towards the future of its vehicle lineup.

 

Unlike some other EV’s on the market, which are basically adaptations of conventional petrol engine models, the i3 has been totally designed from the ground up to get the very best efficiency, rigidity, weight, performance and comfort. 

 

Of particular note is the construction method that BMW refers to as “LifeDrive”. The concept features two self-contained units: the all-aluminium skateboard like chassis or Drive Module; and the largely carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger component or Life Module which sits on top.

 

Overall, BMW have managed to keep the weight of the i3 to just over 1000kg, making it some 300kg lighter than its other EV competition.

 

This of course means greater driving range capabilities, a key concern for anyone considering an EV.  

 

BMW estimates that under ‘everyday conditions’ the i3 can drive for somewhere between 130 and 160 kilometres in the Comfort driving mode.  There are also Eco Pro and Eco Pro+ modes which save more energy by switching off the climate control and limiting the top speed to 90km/h. In these modes you can get an extra 20 kilometres of range.

 

Now in a city like Macau, this sort of range capability should be very reassuring, but if you are still suffering from range anxiety, BMW also offers the i3 with a range extender – a 2-cylinder, 650cc petrol engine that doesn’t drive the car, but instead recharges the battery. The range extender provides a further 130 kilometres of range, meaning that you really can use the i3 for longer journeys.

 

With range concerns taken care of, the next big question is performance and handling.  Can an EV still deliver that much-desired BMW driving experience.  Pleasingly, the answer is a definite ‘yes’.

 

Powering the car is an electric motor with a 22kWh lithium-ion battery.  The motor has an output of 170hp and peak torque of 184 lb-ft, which it sends to the rear axle via an integrated differential gear, single speed gearbox.  

 

As with all its models, BMW has tried to keep a 50-50 weight distribution.  The heavy battery is low and at the centre of the car with the electric motor slightly above and forward of the rear axle, achieving a low centre of gravity and just a slight 1.8 percent rear weight bias.

 

Unlike traditional petrol engines, EV’s get full torque power from the second you plant your foot, which means the i3 really takes off like a bullet.  Zero to 100km/h takes about 7.2 seconds and top speed is 150km/h.  And of course it is all delivered with nothing more than a gentle hum from the electric motor.  

 

On our test drive around town, overtaking L-plate drivers on the upslope on Taipa Hill was a total cinch, and we really had to be careful not to get a speeding fine on the bridge – exceeding 80km/h was quiet and totally effortless.

 

Braking is also impressive, and is largely achieved by simply taking pressure off the accelerator which immediately denies the motor any power.  Through the regenerative breaking system which helps capture energy and send it back to the battery, you can drive without ever really needing to touch the brake pedal.

 

Fully recharging the battery from a domestic socket will take around seven to eight hours, but using BMW’s AC fast-charging Wallbox only takes around three hours.

 

The electric power steering is very quick and precise, and BMW’s Dynamic Stability Control offers a very confident and controlled ride.   Overall, the i3 is a very fun and responsive car to drive, in no small part due to BMW’s ground up approach to its design.

 

As for the exterior design, it is nothing if not cutting edge, which really is very apt for a car like this.  The proportions are quite tall and narrow, and the plunging belt line on the rear door window is very distinctive, as is the gloss black finish for the bonnet and glass tailgate.  The rigid structural integrity has allowed for no B-pillar and the use of rear-hinged coach doors.  At the front are large U-shaped LED running lights, while at the back the tail lights are completely integrated into the smoothly shaped tailgate.  

 

And of course a BMW wouldn’t be complete without kidney grilles. The i3’s come with a blue trim but are totally aesthetic as there is no need for air cooling vents in an EV of course!

 

The interior of the car is just as eye-catching as the exterior. The space is very minimalist and airy, with lots of natural light from the enlarged windscreen. The dash top and door panels are reinforced with kenaf plant fibers giving a very textured appearance, and a beautiful Eucalyptus wood trim is also available for sections of the dash.  

 

The driver gets two LCD screens, a 6-inch one directly in front and 10.2-inch one that seems to float above the dash, featuring the navigation system and infotainment options, all controlled by BMW’s iDrive system.

 

The shifter is column mounted and pivots forward and backward for drive and reverse, and the driving position is high with great visibility over traffic. 

 

Adding to its eco credentials, 25 percent of the weight of the plastic used in the interior comes from recycled material or renewable resources. The textiles used on the seats consist of up to 100 percent recycled fibres, and the even the leather is only treated with natural substances.

 

In terms of quality, technology, design and performance, not to mention efficiency, the BMW i3 really is in a league of its own, and is well worth taking for a spin if you are looking for a unique, premium range urban commuter.  

 

 

 

 

It was a busy month in September for BMW Macau with the launch of the all-new BMW X4 and the latest version of the X3, as well as the opening of their new BMW Premium Selection showroom.

 

The first-ever BMW X4 fuses the quintessential power of an X model with the aesthetics of a classic coupe. The flagship petrol unit in the BMW X4 xDrive35i offers 306hp and peak torque of 400Nm, making the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.5 seconds to sprint. 

 

Back in 2003, BMW presented the new mid-size Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV) segment with the launch of the X3, and since then it has racked up sales figures of more than one million units. The new X3 features a pair of new-generation engines, producing more power but burning less fuel, while the exterior and interior design reveals stylistic revisions and improved practicality.

 

And as the number of BMW customers increases in Macau, and customers look to upgrade to newer models, BMW has opened its first certified pre-owned BMW Premium Selection showroom in Macau. 

 

The showroom is located in Villa de Mer, on Avenida do Nordeste. Only cars of the highest standard will qualify for BMW Premium Selection, and all will go through a complete check-up from exterior to interior, including engines and performance checking. They also come with a 12-month BMW Premium Selection warranty, maintenance-free for 12 months, 360º technical and optical checks, certified car service history, BMW Roadside Assistance, and buy back and trade-in service.