BMW i3
The BMW i3 is an electric car that was manufactured by German marque BMW from 2013 to 2022. The i3 was BMW's first mass-produced zero emissions vehicle and was launched as part of BMW's electric vehicle BMW i sub-brand. It is a B-segment, high-roof hatchback with an electric powertrain. It uses rear-wheel drive via a single-speed transmission and an underfloor lithium-ion battery pack with an optional range-extending petrol engine.
| BMW i3 | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | BMW |
| Model code | I01 |
| Production | September 2013 – August 2022 (250,000 units) |
| Model years | 2014–2021 (North America) |
| Assembly | Germany: Leipzig (BMW Group Plant Leipzig) |
| Designer | Richard Kim |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Supermini/subcompact car (B) |
| Body style | 5-door hatchback |
| Layout | Rear-motor, rear-wheel-drive |
| Doors | Conventional doors (front) Suicide doors (rear) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 647 cc W20K06U0 25 kW I2 range extender 9 L (2.4 US gal) in Europe and U.S (2017+) 7.2 L (1.9 US gal) in the U.S. (2014–2016) |
| Electric motor | BMW eDrive synchronous permanent magnet motor 125 kW 137 kW |
| Transmission | Single speed with fixed ratio |
| Hybrid drivetrain | Series plug-in hybrid Range extender (i3 REx) |
| Battery | i3 60 Ah: 18.2 kWh (22 gross) lithium-ion i3 94 Ah: 27.2 kWh (33 gross) lithium-ion i3 120 Ah: 37.9 kWh (42.2 gross) lithium-ion |
| Electric range | BEV 60 Ah 130 km (81 mi) EPA 129 to 161 km (80 to 100 mi) NEDC BEV 94 Ah 183 km (114 mi) EPA BEV 120 Ah 246 km (153 mi) EPA 359 km (223 mi) NEDC 309 km (192 mi) WLTP REx 60 Ah (with range extender) 116 km (72 mi) (EPA) Total: 241 km (150 mi) (EPA) REx 94 Ah (with range extender) 156 km (97 mi) Total: 290 km (180 mi) REx 120 Ah (with range extender) 203 km (126 mi) Total: 322 km (200 mi) |
| Plug-in charging | 7.4 kW on-board charger on IEC Combo AC, optional 50 kW Combo DC, DCFC standard on 2015+ models in the US market. |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,570 mm (101.2 in) |
| Length | 3,999 mm (157.4 in) |
| Width | 1,775 mm (69.9 in) |
| Height | 1,578 mm (62.1 in) |
| Kerb weight | 60 Ah: 1,195 kg (2,635 lb) 60 Ah: 1,315 kg (2,899 lb) (with range extender) |
Styled by Richard Kim, the i3 is a five-door with a passenger module of high strength, ultra-lightweight carbon fibre reinforced polymer adhered to an aluminium chassis, battery, drive system and powertrain. The body features two clamshell rear-hinged rear doors.
The i3 debuted as a concept at the 2011 International Motor Show Germany, and production began in September 2013 in Leipzig.
It ranked third amongst electric cars sold worldwide from 2014 to 2016. Its global sales totaled 250,000 units by the end of 2022. Germany was its biggest market with over 47,500 units delivered through December 2021, followed by the U.S. with over 45,000.
The i3 won two World Car of the Year Awards, selected as 2014 World Green Car of the Year and as 2014 World Car Design of the Year. The i3 received an iF Product Design Gold Award, and won UK Car of the Year 2014 and Best Supermini of 2014 in the first UK Car of the Year Awards.