BMW i3 eDrive 35L

BMW i3 – experimental, innovative, unforgettable

BMW i3 is the first production electric car from the German automaker. Its production began in 2013 and ceased in 2022. Almost 10 years later, the electric hatchback has undergone several upgrades. So, in 2017, the battery capacity was doubled, and in 2018, the battery capacity was doubled again. Restyling took place in 2017. The exterior and interior of the electric hatchback have been changed.

Appearance

Specially invited American designer Richard Kim worked on the exterior of the BMW i3. A characteristic feature of the appearance of the electric car is the black belt, stretching from the front bumper through the hood and roof to the trunk door.

Due to the absence of a central pillar, the front door opens traditionally - forward. While the back door opens backwards. This is how, for example, the rear door opens on many Rolls-Royse models. But due to the significantly smaller size of the BMW i3 compared to the British limousine, the German electric car's rear door is significantly smaller than its front door.

Another feature is the side windows without a clearly defined border. The different door sizes are emphasized by the different window sizes. Their different lower edges look like a sea wave that rolls onto the shore. This is a unique feature of the BMW i3 that is not found in any other electric vehicle.

The rear of the electric car also looks unique. German designers made it like a work of modern art. The brake lights are made in a form very similar to the work of Wall-E, the main character of the cartoon of the same name. The tailgate and bumper are made almost without the use of metal. Side lights and reverse signals are installed on the right and left sides of the bumper.

The near and far world is LED. There is a light sensor, daytime running lights and the ability to adjust the headlights in height.

Features of the interior

The interior of the BMW i3 is compact, but at the same time cozy enough for the driver, front passenger, and rear passengers. Especially if the upholstery is made in light colors.

When decorating the interior, the designers tried to combine futurism and retro style. The narrow front panel is made in the style typical of classic American cars of the 1970s. This style is enhanced by plastic trim that imitates natural wood, and a climate control control unit that is similar in shape to a tube radio.

But, on the other hand, the functional steering wheel, multimedia system screen and digital driver's instrument panel are made in a futuristic (as for 2013) style. Now these devices look simply modern. The lack of a center console is also a hallmark of many modern electric vehicles. A block with mechanical climate control buttons is a solution that many automakers are returning to. Mechanical buttons simplify climate control control and do not distract the driver from monitoring the situation on the road.

The multifunction steering wheel allows you to control all the capabilities of the multimedia system and functions of the electric vehicle. Its two-spoke shape does not interfere with the driver's ability to read information from the dashboard. It is completely digital and measures 6.5 inches in diameter.

Due to the compactness of the interior, German designers had to reduce the thickness of the front seat backs. For driving on city streets, this drawback is almost unnoticeable, but on long trips, the back of the driver and front passenger may feel this drawback. However, this drawback is compensated by the wide range of mechanical adjustment of the seat positions and comfortable lateral support.

Rear seat space. Three adults can sit on them if the center armrest is lowered, but they will not feel comfortable enough. But the rear door, which opens against the direction of the car, increases the comfort of access to the rear seats.

Luggage compartment volume – 260 liters. But if you fold the backs of the rear row seats, the trunk volume can be increased to 1.1 cubic meters.

Restyling 2017

In 2017, the BMW i3 was restyled. The exterior was slightly changed - a different shape of the front and rear bumpers, different alloy wheels, a different body paint. Horizontal LED turn signals were installed above the bumper. The wheel arches have become more massive.

The cabin has a high-definition multimedia system screen. The most multimedia iDrive has been modernized, its functionality has been significantly expanded. But there were no fundamental changes in the interior.

Main technical characteristics

The body frame of the BMW i3 is made of durable carbon fiber. The American brand of carbon fiber SGL was chosen. This reduced the weight of the electric vehicle and made it possible to abandon the central pillar. To give the hatchback an additional level of safety, the frame is placed on a frame made of aluminum, to which magnesium has been added to increase strength. Battery packs are laid out on the bottom of the frame.

Weight and dimensions characteristics of the BMW i3:

• length – 4 meters;
• width – 1.775 meters (for the regular version) or 1.79 meters (for the sports version of the BMW i3s);
• height – 1.57 meters;
• wheelbase length – 2.57 meters;
• curb weight – 1245 kg (for the regular version) or 1460 kg (for the sports version of the BMW i3s).

McPherson strut suspension is installed on the front axle, and an independent five-link suspension is installed on the rear axle. Ventilated disc brakes are installed on the front wheels, and unventilated disc brakes are installed on the rear wheels. The BMW i3 is equipped with 19-inch wheels made of forged aluminum, while the sports version of the BMW i3s has 20-inch wheels with ultra-thin tyres. This improved the dynamics and controllability of the electric vehicle.

Engine and battery

On the BMW i3, a synchronous electric motor with permanent magnets, developed by specialists from the Bavarian automaker, is installed on the rear axle (rear-wheel drive electric car). The engine weighs just 50kg but produces 125kW of power and a peak torque of 250Nm across the entire rev range. This torque is enough to accelerate the electric car to 100 km/h. in 7.2 seconds. Maximum speed – 150 km/h.

The sports version of the BMW i3s is equipped with a 135 kW engine. It produces a maximum torque of 270 Nm. This is enough to accelerate the electric car to 100 km/h. in 6.9 seconds. Maximum speed – 160 km/h.

The battery pack consists of eight modules. Each module contains 12 compact batteries. The battery pack provides the engine with direct current with a voltage of 360 V. The maximum power that the battery produces is 18.8 kW/h. Monitoring the operation of the battery pack of the intelligent system. Yes, it uses a heat pump to maintain the batteries at an optimal temperature of +20 degrees Celsius.

On manufactured electric vehicles:

• in 2013-2017, a battery with a capacity of 60 Ah was installed;
• in 2016-2018, a battery with a capacity of 90 Ah was installed;
• in 2018-2022 a battery with a capacity of 120 Ah

For all batteries, it is possible to restore their charge by converting mechanical braking energy into electrical current. Therefore, on city streets, an electric car can travel a little further than its maximum range.

At fast charging stations, the battery fills 80% of its charge in 30 minutes. For this, a 50 kW charger is used. At home, the battery is fully charged using:

• 10 A charger with a power of 2.1 kW - in 8 hours;
• 16 A charger with a power of 3.3 kW - in 6 hours;
• 32 A charger with a power of 6.7 kW - in 3 hours (purchased separately).

In addition, the BMW i3 can be equipped with a so-called Range Extender. This is a small gasoline engine that rotates an electric generator. The engine has enough fuel for the generator to provide the battery with enough charge to travel 100 km

Comfort level

In the center of the front panel there is an 8.8-inch screen of the iDrive multimedia system, under which there is a mechanical climate control unit. A SIM card can be inserted into the multimedia system, after which the BMW i3 becomes the owner of a personal telephone number. The multimedia system also supports Bluetooth and allows you to charge smartphones via a USB port.

Security level

The following electronic security systems are installed as standard on the BMW i3:

• Dynamic Stability Control (DSC);
• anti-lock braking system (ABS);
• Corner Braking Control (CBC);
• Dynamic Brake Force Distribution (DBC);
• Dynamic Traction Control (DTC);
• Brake Assist;
• emergency braking assistance;
• tire pressure monitoring;
• locking doors from the door.

Optionally, you can order front and rear parking sensors, a rear video camera and an automatic parallel parking system.

The following passive safety systems are installed in the cabin:

• front airbags for driver and front passenger;
• front side airbags;
• front and rear curtain airbags;
• Isofix mount for child seats.

Conclusions

BMW i3 is the most unusual electric car in the line of the Bavarian automaker. It was the first of a line of electric cars. The trends and patterns according to which the next electric vehicles were created have not yet crystallized. Therefore, the designers boldly experimented with both the appearance and interior of the cabin.

After the BMW concern decided to discontinue the BMW i3, many articles appeared on the Internet in which the authors wrote that they would miss this most unusual electric car. Today, the BMW i3 is history. But a story that will be remembered for a long time and sigh sadly: “Unfortunately, they don’t make cars like this anymore.” But you still have a chance to buy a BMW i3 in good technical condition.