With its space-age body, super-efficient powertrain, and laser focus on its urban mission, the i3 pushes the boundaries in automotive design. This tall, narrow, electric city car not only looks like a futuristic personal transportation pod that just drove off the set of the latest "Tron" movie, it's the first widely available car to use lightweight carbon fiber for its basic body structure. That single mission focus however, makes the i3's appeal rather limited. Under the modern vibe, there are some peculiarities that might deter many buyers.
Since we tested it, the i3 has gotten a larger 42 kWh battery, noted as 120 Ah. BMW claims the electric range exceeds 150 miles. The optional two-cylinder gasoline range extender (REx) acts as an onboard generator that continues to power the electric drive when battery power depletes. It's designed to reduce range anxiety, but as we found in our testing, it's not really supposed to be used as the primary power source. Think of it as a set of training wheels for electric-car newbies. Most i3 buyers are opting for this option.
The 2.4 gallons gas tank helps extend the electric range and alleviates range anxiety but long distance travel requires frequent stops for gas. Note that the i3's gas consumption is no better than low 30s mpg, undermining the car's efficiency if it's not charged frequently. For those unable to charge frequently, a hybrid model that gets 50 mpg all the time is a more practical choice.
Despite its tall and narrow stance, the i3 feels confident and planted with a firm ride that tends to be a bit stiff at low urban speeds.
In the corners, the car's bantam weight and low center of gravity makes it one of the most tossable, responsive cars we've driven in quite a while and it remains secure even when pushed to its limits on our track.
Room for four passengers and reasonable cargo space beneath its hatchback makes the i3 a livable car. The rear-hinged back doors bring an inherent limitation, though: If you have kids sitting back there, the driver or front passenger will have to unbuckle their seatbelt and open their door first, before opening the back door; the kids can't do it themselves.
If the engine is on, noise is noticeable at low speeds, and it sounds oddly disconnected from your accelerator inputs. But on the highway, you can hardly hear it at all.
Even those used to driving an electric car may be taken aback by the i3's particularly aggressive regenerative braking. It slows the car down hard as soon as you let off the accelerator, and you can often come to a complete stop without ever touching the brake pedal.
The i3 even challenges convention in the cabin. It feels more like a four-seat Scandinavian style living room. Flowing matte wood trim, textured resin panels, and a mix of tweed and leather upholstery all look like they came straight from the pages of the Design Within Reach catalog. Like other BMWs, mastering the iDrive infotainment system and the initially unintuitive gear selector requires a learning curve.
No matter how you outfit it, the future doesn't come cheap. Thankfully, all i3s qualify for a $7,500 federal tax credit.
Through participating dealers, BMW offers a Flexible Mobility program that provides loaner cars (typically 330i or X1 SUVs) for i3 owners who occasionally need a more spacious vehicle with a longer range.
For those aware of the i3's limitations and peculiarities, it might the right urban runabout.