PressClub United Kingdom · Article.
The new BMW i3 and i3s
Tue Aug 29 00:05:00 CEST 2017 Press Kit
• Refreshing styling accents, cutting-edge equipment features and new digital services available for the BMW i3. • New BMW i3s with additional chassis technology, improved driving dynamics and model-specific exterior design features. • New standard equipment including BMW LED headlights and BMW Professional navigation system. • On sale from August 2017 with prices starting from £34,070 OTR.
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Chris Overall
BMW Group
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Author.
Chris Overall
BMW Group
With over 8,000 vehicles sold in the UK since launch, the BMW i3 is
the best-selling electric car in the premium compact segment. Now, the
success story is set to continue with a major refresh, new technology
and the addition of a new, sportier variant, the BMW i3s.
With a higher output, model-specific chassis technology,
enhanced handling and design features, the i3s offers driving pleasure
along with zero local emissions, premium quality and a new level of
connectivity technology.
The new BMW i3 and new BMW i3s will celebrate their world
premieres at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt/Main in
September 2017. The global market launch will begin in November 2017.
Two power outputs and optional range extender
engine
Following systematic refinement, the BMW eDrive
technology aboard the new BMW i3 and new BMW i3s offers emission-free
driving with instantaneous power delivery, efficient use of energy and
increased range. Both models draw their energy from the lithium-ion
high-voltage battery with a capacity of 94Ah (33kWh). A range-extender
engine can be ordered as an option for both models.
Emission-free fun at the wheel: two power options
The synchronous electric motor powering the new BMW i3 generates
a maximum output of 170hp and reaches a peak torque of 250Nm, all of
which is available instantly from a standstill. This means that
stepping on the accelerator pedal immediately unleashes a burst of
speed. The power is transferred via a single-speed automatic
transmission meaning the zero to 62mph benchmark sprint can be
achieved in 7.3 seconds. Top speed is limited to 93mph.
Located low in the vehicle floor, the lithium-ion high-voltage
battery provides a range of 180-186 miles* based on the NEDC cycle,
146 to 158 miles** as per WLTP and up to 125 miles*** in everyday use.
The combined electric power consumption of the new BMW i3 on the NEDC
cycle varies between 13.1 and 13.6kWh for every 62 miles*.
Outstanding driving dynamics: instantaneous torque, superb
traction and controlled drifting
The agile handling characteristics of the BMW i3 have been
improved still further by the optimised Dynamic Stability Control
(DSC) system. This faster responding traction control system
guarantees confident handling under all driving conditions. The BMW i3
now features a unique form of wheel speed limiting that ensures
increased directional stability both under acceleration and on the
overrun with strong regenerative braking. Traction during pull-away on
snow and wet roads has also been noticeably improved. DTC (Dynamic
Traction Control) mode now boosts agility at higher speeds even
allowing mild and safely controllable drifts on cornering.
A new sportier BMW - the i3s
The new BMW i3s is powered by a high-performance 184hp electric
motor that generates peak torque of 270Nm. Its updated drive system
includes modified motor control and specific taper roller bearings,
which have been utilised to further optimise power delivery and the
performance curve at higher rpm. At the limits of the motor speed
range, the power and torque of the further developed drive system
represent an improvement of up to 40 per cent for the BMW i3.
What’s more, the new BMW i3s boasts sports suspension with
specially developed springs, dampers and anti-roll bars. Drivers can
also select SPORT mode using the Driving Experience Control switch
which delivers a more direct accelerator response and tighter steering characteristics.
The new BMW i3s utilises sports suspension that includes a 10mm
drop in ride height. The additional 40mm of track width compared to
the BMW i3 is given added impact by the black wheel arch borders. The
new BMW i3s comes as standard with exclusive 20-inch light-alloy
wheels in double-spoke design that are 20mm wider than the previously
available versions. They come as standard in Bicolour and are
optionally available in Jet Black.
The BMW i3s is capable of get from zero to 62mph in 6.9 seconds
on its way to a top speed of 99mph. It returns a combined electric
power consumption of 14.3kWh per 62 miles* on the NEDC cycle. Its
electric range runs to 174 miles* based on the NEDC cycle, 146 to 152
miles** as per WLTP and up to 125 miles*** in everyday use.
A 38hp two-cylinder range extender petrol engine is available as
an option for both the new BMW i3 and the new BMW i3s. The engine
drives a generator that produces power as required while driving to
maintain a constant level of charge in the high-voltage battery. This
extends the car’s overall range in everyday use by 93 miles,
increasing it from around 112 miles to a maximum of 205 miles***. The
all-electric range of the new BMW i3 with range extender is 140 – 146
miles* as per NEDC and 118 – 124 miles** as per WLTP. The
corresponding figures for the new BMW i3s with range extender come in
at 137 miles* on the NEDC and 115 to 121 miles** on the WLTP cycle.
On the NEDC cycle, the new BMW i3 with range extender returns
combined consumption figures per 62 miles of 11.9kWh to 11.5kWh of
electric power and 0.6 litres of fuel (CO2 emissions: 14 –13 g/km)*.
On the same combined NEDC cycle, the new BMW i3s with range extender
consumes 12.5kWh of electric power per 62 miles and 0.7 litres of fuel
(fuel consumption of 403.5mpg imp; CO2 emissions: 14 g/km)*.
Model
| Power (hp) | Torque (Nm) | 0 – 62mph (Seconds) | Top Speed (mph) | Combined (mpg) | CO 2 Emissions (g/km) | From (OTR) |
BMW i3 | 170 | 250 | 7.3 | 93 | n/a | 0 | £34,070 |
BMW i3 Range Extender | 170 | 250 | 8.1 | 93 | tbc | 13-14* | £37,220 |
BMW i3s | 184 | 270 | 6.9 | 99 | n/a | 0 | £36,975 |
BMW i3s Range Extender | 184 | 270 | 7.7 | 99 | tbc | 15* | £40,125 |
* Consumption and emissions figures as well as ranges according to NEDC test cycle, may vary depending on the tyre format specified.
** Ranges according to WLTP test cycle, may vary depending on the tyre format specified and the equipment level.
*** Figures according to BMW range measurements in everyday use in
urban areas, exterior temperature: 20°C, heating/air conditioning,
pre-conditioning, COMFORT driving mode. Range dependent on various
factors. In particular: personal driving style, route characteristics,
exterior temperature, pre-conditioning
Design: sporty look.
The unmistakable exterior of the BMW i3 styling has already
picked up the Gold iF award for product design and the World Car
Design of the Year award along with other accolades, but new deft
design touches have been introduced to convey the sporty and stirring
driving experience on offer.
The trademark BMW i Black Belt running from the bonnet over the
roof to the car’s rear end is now complemented by A-pillars and roof
lines that also sport a black finish. The range of paint finishes for
the remaining body elements has been extended to include Melbourne Red
metallic and Imperial Blue metallic. Customers can also choose from
the non-metallic shades Capparis White and Fluid Black as well as
Protonic Blue metallic and Mineral Grey metallic.
The restyling of the front and rear aprons place particular
emphasis on the car’s width to give a sportier look and a
chrome-design strip running across the full width of the rear and the
positioning of the model and eDrive badges on the outer edges of the
boot lid serves to reinforce this impression.
The new BMW i3 and new BMW i3s come equipped with all-LED
headlights as standard, which employ LED bulb units for dipped beam
and high beam as well as the daytime running lights. The new turn
signal indicators also feature LED technology and are integrated into
the front apron in the form of horizontal strips. This means that LEDs
are now used for all lighting functions at the front of the vehicle
too, as was already the case with the glass-covered rear light
assemblies.
At the front the sporty theme continues. The front bumper is
painted in the body colour and has a black U-shaped surround. Moving
round to the rear end, the moulded contours and the contrast in colour
between the black surround and the body-coloured inlay again create an
energetic appearance. The new silver-coloured roof line accent for the
new BMW i3 adds a further touch of elegance and dynamism. It widens
towards the rear, thereby accentuating the stream flow.
Both the front and rear aprons are notable for their
model-specific, powerfully shaped contours. At the front, the bumper
inlay, as well as the U-shaped surround that encircles it, has a black
finish. The front apron’s side sections are bordered on their lower
edge by accent strips in BMW i Blue or Frozen Grey to further
emphasise the width of the car. The accent in the closed BMW kidney
grille is painted in high-gloss black on the BMW i3s to give the
grille a larger and more prominent appearance. The rear apron of the
new BMW i3s is likewise composed of individually styled contours,
while the black surround frames an extra-wide, body-coloured inlay. On
the new BMW i3s, the roof line accent also sports the same high-gloss
black finish as the A-pillars.
Interior: a sense of roominess with sustainable materials.
Like the exterior design, the interior styling of the new BMW i3
and new BMW i3s is rooted in the novel LifeDrive vehicle architecture.
The carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell has a light
and spacious feel. The design principle of the two four-seater models
means there is no need for either fixed B-pillars or a transmission
tunnel. Doors that open in opposite directions allow the occupants to
get in and out with ease.
The Loft, Lodge and Suite equipment lines are available for the
new BMW i3 and new BMW i3s as alternatives to the standard Atelier
version. The Lodge interior design option includes a new covering for
the seat surfaces in Solaric Brown that combines natural leather
tanned using an olive leaf extract with a wool-based textile material.
The i3 and i3s feature recycled plastics, renewable raw materials,
natural fibres and open-pored, unbleached eucalyptus wood. More than
80 per cent of the surfaces visible to the passengers are made from
recycled materials or renewable resources. The new blue seat belt
option provides a splash of colour while BMW i3s offers front floor
mats with unique badging as standard.
Extensive range of driver assistance systems
Both Parking Assistant and Traffic Jam Assistant are available
for the new BMW i3. The optional Parking Assistance package includes
Park Distance Control, a reversing camera and the Parking Assistant.
Once a suitable parking space parallel to the road has been selected,
the Parking Assistant takes control of acceleration, braking, gear
selection and steering.
Driving Assistant Plus, also available as an option,
incorporates Collision and Pedestrian Warning with City Braking
function, Speed Limit Info, Proactive Driving Assistant, Active Cruise
Control with Stop & Go function, and the Traffic Jam assistant,
which not only maintains a safe distance to the car in front in
stop-start traffic at up to 37mph, but also keeps the car in lane. The
system takes its cues from lane markings, the width of the road and
vehicles travelling ahead.
Updated iDrive system, BMW i ConnectedDrive with navigation
features and On-Street Parking Information specially developed for
electric mobility.
Both the new BMW i3 and new BMW
i3s come with an updated version of the iDrive operating system for
infotainment, communications and navigation functions. All vehicles
are now equipped with the Navigation system Professional, where the
Control Display has a diagonal of 10.25-inches and an increased
resolution of 1,440 × 540 pixels. The main menu is also presented in
the form of horizontally arranged tiles with a live mode. The voice
recognition system has also been further optimised. With the aid of
Natural Language Understanding, spoken instructions can now be
executed more quickly and precisely, e.g. when searching for music and
phone numbers or dictating e-mails and SMS messages. New to the
options list is Apple CarPlay preparation. This allows additional
smartphone apps to be integrated seamlessly with the vehicle’s
operating system.
The further expanded BMW i ConnectedDrive ensures intelligent
connectivity through services specially tailored to electric mobility.
The digital On-Street Parking Information search service, now
available for the first time in the BMW i3, can also be used alongside
the Real Time Traffic Information. Public charging stations and
information about their availability can also be displayed on the
navigation system’s map. When route guidance is activated, data about
the route is also used to calculate the range shown in the instrument
cluster. The range map provides a visual representation of the current
operating radius. It is also possible to display the different ranges
achievable in each of the Driving Experience Control modes. BMW
i-specific navigation features also include intermodal route guidance.
This helps users to quickly and efficiently reach their destination by
factoring in local public transport timetables and connections.
Regular, automatic updates of the navigation data are now also
provided “over the air” in the BMW i3, using a mobile network connection.
A package of new services were introduced in July 2017 under the
BMW Connected+ banner which enable a highly personalised and more
straightforward display of information inside the car. All of the
digital services related to BMW Connected and BMW Connected+ will be
available in the BMW i3 and BMW i3s. These span intelligent route
planning, including breaks at charging stations or petrol stations
(Send my Routes to Car), sharing of the car’s current location via SMS
and live link (Share Live Trip Status), personalised display of
relevant in-car information (BMW Onboard), seamless transfer of route
instructions to the customer’s smartphone or smartwatch once the car
is parked (Navigate Door-to-Door) and direct syncing of contacts and
addresses to the navigation system (My Destinations).
BMW Digital Charging Service enables intelligent charging. BMW
ConnectedDrive and the BMW ConnectedDrive Portal turns charging into a
digital experience. As a result, the BMW i3 and BMW i3s are integrated
perfectly into the customer’s smart ecosystem. This allows BMW
customers to optimise charging costs, make best use of self-generated
solar energy for charging and even earn money through integration into
the smart grid. The service’s ease of use – from a smartphone via BMW
Connected or from desktop and tablets via the BMW ConnectedDrive
Portal – also facilitates fully transparent, sustainable use of
renewable energy.
360° ELECTRIC: new charging cable, BMW i Wallbox
360° ELECTRIC is a range of products and services that help make electric mobility a convenient, everyday experience. The functionality of the standard charging cable supplied with the new BMW i3s has been optimised and includes a temperature sensor. Charging at home using the BMW i Wallbox can supply 11kW of power to charge the high-voltage battery. This allows enough energy for an electric range of around 112 miles to be transferred in under three hours – five times quicker than with the standard charging cable. The new BMW i Wallbox Connect also extends the functionality of the globally unique BMW Digital Charging Service to provide intelligent charging for optimal cost efficiency, and allows customers to make best use of self-generated solar energy. In addition, it is also possible to control the charging process using a smartphone app and manage usage by means of an access card. Drivers with a registered ChargeNow card have unrestricted access to the world’s largest network of public charging stations.
ENDS
The BMW Group
With its three brands BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 31 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.
In 2015, the BMW Group sold approximately 2.247 million cars and
nearly 137,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax for the
financial year 2015 was approximately € 9.22 billion on revenues
amounting to € 92.18 billion. As of 31 December 2015, the BMW Group
had a workforce of 122,244 employees.
The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term
thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established
ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain,
comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to
conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.
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