BMW I3

BMW i3

THE FUTURE IS HERE

Text: Reinis Babrovskis

Over the last centuries inventors have given us wonderful things like electricity, the telephone, portable devices, the Internet, motorised vehicles; the list goes on; however, all these wonderful things have come at a price. Our Planet is suffering… it’s being polluted and slowly destroyed by the human race. One of the biggest pollutants undeniably is the emissions from transport. For more than 100 years we’ve endlessly been pumping out oil; the amount of air, sea and road transport has been increasing with each year. As a result of that enormous amount of pollution, gasses are being released into the atmosphere daily and it has finally reached a critical point. Worst of it all - we’re all at fault, and it’s time we changed.

#FUTUREMATTERS

Earth is changing, there’s no denying it; be it global warming or something else, we’ve all noticed it. And the sad truth is that if we intend to live on our Planet for centuries to come things must change drastically and most significantly - immediately. The World has changed a lot in the last century and we must change with it. We won’t achieve anything in a day, or a year, but we all must be in it to change it; like it or not, the future is here.

Automotive industry representatives have been searching for alternative fuel for decades (or so they say), and it seems only now a reasonable substitute has been found – electric power (who would have known). And even though electric powered vehicles have been offered before, it seems only now the technology has advanced far enough to offer a realistic and reliable solution; so we may as well embrace it.

#ELECTRICVSPETROL

As predicted a lot of negativity surrounds the future of the motor industry. Humans don’t cope with changes well; the unknown scares them you see, but it shouldn’t. Did a TV scare you, or a microwave? Well an electric vehicle shouldn’t either.

There are two main reasons why the change to an electric vehicle (EV) could appeal to people: cost of running and the environmental aspect. There is no denying – the running costs are a fraction of a cost of those of a petrol and diesel powered. A simple home charge to a full battery in UK will cost less than £3 vs a tank of fuel that would cost an average of £45.

Are the electric cars actually better than petrol to the environment you may ask? Yes, do the research and don’t believe everything you see on the Internet. The lithium batteries are not as bad as petrol or diesel powered engines, charging them doesn’t destroy the planet: each year more and more coal and nuclear power stations worldwide are substituted with solar and wind energy sources that are sustainable and eco-friendly. Electric vehicles (EVs) may not be 100% eco-friendly yet, but they sure as hell are better than petroleum or diesel powered cars and interestingly will only get cleaner as renewable energy increases. There is still a long way to go but there is only one way forward.

There has been a huge increase in attempts to design alternative energy powered vehicles by automotive manufacturers in recent years, be it hybrid, hydrogen or electric powered vehicles; furthermore, the sale of these vehicles have risen a lot so it is time we look into the options we have. One of the most appealing of them all is the funky EV urban warrior: the BMW i3.

#BMWi

In 2011 the German automotive manufacturer launched an independent subdivision of the BMW franchise: BMWi devoted to the design and production of electric plug-in vehicles. BMWi division made its debut with 2 electric vehicles – BMW i8 and BMW i3. The BMW i8 was a futuristic supercar with hybrid power whilst the BMW i3 was the first mass production BMW zero emission full battery electric vehicle.

#I3

The BMW i3 was designed as a B-Grade (medium sized) urban 5 door hatchback and first revealed to the general public at the International Motor Show in Germany in 2011. The general production of the i3 followed shortly after with the first models rolling out from the Leipzig factory in 2013.

Since its release the i3 has received a facelift version and has been selling worldwide with great success. The BMW i3 model has won multiple motoring awards and perceived positively amongst motoring journalists. Whilst the design may be what many would describe as a rather unorthodox concept, the i3 is a very successful. It is exactly what a modern urban commuter should be – small yet spacious, economical but with great performance and outstanding reliability.

#EXTERIOR

The BMW i3 (as well as the i8) was styled by Richard Kim and marketed as a sporty 5-door urban hatchback. The i3 incorporated an all-new fresh and exciting design with a sporty twist to its concept; nonetheless it still managed to retain its unmistakable BMW look.

The i3 was the first mass production car to have most of the internal structure and body made out of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic, whereas the doors were made out of hemp and plastic mixture, helping to lower the weight of the car.

 

 

The i3 features suicide doors that can be opened safely only when the 2 front conventional doors have been opened. The suicide door system really enhances a futuristic, spacious and open design on the vehicle.

The short, “clean” and “flowing” front-end was possible due to lack on internal combustion engine. The front of the car is defined by the typical kidney grille with accents in blue, all-new striking U-shaped LED daytime running lights and high gloss black element running across the bonnet, roof and rear of the i3.

 

To the rear, the all-new LED integrated taillights hiding behind the black-glazed bootlid are yet another sophisticated detail in the i3 design. and designed exclusively for the i3 making it the i3 distinctive feature. 

 

The BMW i3 is arguably one of the most successful modern car designs making this car look spectacular both in the concrete jungle as well as rural environments.

#INTERIOR

Just like the exterior of the car the interior of the i3 further demonstrates BMW’s futuristic and fresh approach to design. The open and welcoming interior is very spacious thanks to the lack of gearbox and centre tunnel and extended B pillars allow extra head space for the taller passengers. Regardless on the choice of the interior finish (options included: natural open-pore eucalyptus wood, tanned leather, climate active wool or carbon-fiber reinforced plastic) the interior feels eco-friendly, natural and very eye-catching, in fact BMW point out that 80% of what you can see is made from renewable materials. Aragats Grey and Black Neutronic cloth, made from Sheep wool with door trims made in exposed Kenaf fibre materials. The neon blue lining across the seats, dash and steering wheel give the car a very futuristic look.

The interior dashboard is made of strong magnesium and lightweight recycled material mix making the build quality very strong yet lightweight. The natural and premium feeling of a BMW finish can be experienced in every aspect of the interior. 

Right from the moment you step into the i3 interior you’re surrounded by advanced technology: the BMW i3 offers the driver a beautiful, dynamic LCD display unit substituting the conventional speedo and rev gauges, and it is capable of displaying range calculations, charge and indeed regen status. Furthermore the BMW ConnectedDrive system allows users to connect to the rest of the world via Facebook, Twitter or any other social networking apps.

This vehicle combines beauty and technology and is a true masterpiece. The car settings can also be accessed via smartphones allowing users to find out the current charge status, pre-heat the interior, find out other useful information and send SatNav destinations to the car.

#WHEELS

BMW designed a range of wheels for the i3, three separate styles of 19inch wheels and the very attractive 20inch wheels fitted to this example of i3. 

#CHASSIS

The BMW i3 required a completely new platform as there was no conventional model to base the car on, thus the i3 features an all-new innovative and unique body structure. The body of i3 (made of CFRP) is connected to an aluminium chassis with the help of state-of-the-art bonding process. The electric motors and lithium batteries as well as the intelligent energy management and drive module are buried deep in the chassis underneath the body of the car. 

 

#ENGINEANDTRANSMISSION

The electric motor in the i3 is rated at 125kW (168bhp) and is paired to a fixed ratio single speed transmission. While this doesn't sound like it would provide a sporty experience, however the benefit of electric motors are the fact that 100% of the Torque is available from 0 RPM, the i3 has 250Nm (184lb ft) of torque which provides a extremely brisk acceleration .... in almost complete silence and this is one area most petrol heads may have an issue with electric cars, the lack of sound is something that will definitely be missed .... initially at least.

#DRIVING EXPERIENCE

 

Just like any electric vehicle the i3 has an extremely low centre of gravity that combined with the ultra-skinny and large diameter alloy wheel and tire combo offer the driver a very dynamic experience. The car feels very agile, responsive and provides the driver with plenty of road feedback, however towards the edges of grip the car can feel slightly twitchy. It really doesn’t come across as a bland commuter, rather a very sporty hatchback that anybody would enjoy. May the petrol gods forgive me, but electric vehicles actually are fun in a way.

#CONCLUSION 

 

In a world where changes were needed yesterday, the electric vehicles are the current solution and we will need to embrace them. The i3 provides the driver with all the same thrills, yet offering much more than the conventional car did – more miles per £, more smiles per mile as the acceleration and driveability of the i3 is wonderful. Sadly all this does come at a cost but if you’re in a market for a new urban commuter and want one that can put a smile on your face – the i3 should be your choice... That is if you can get over the fact this car makes no noise :( 

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