First ever BMW i3s plus New BMW i3

Enhanced exterior design. Thereby giving the BMW i3s a wider and sportier look.

First-ever BMW i3s featuring a sportier chassis. Also a wider track and higher performance output.

Featuring state-of the-art connectivity. That’s also with the latest iDrive 6 interface.

Now featuring standard Full LED headlights.

 BMW is pleased to announce the latest BMW i3 including the first ever BMW i3s. All as part of the BMW i portfolio.

Most noteworthy, the BMW i3 is the bestselling compact battery-electric vehicle. Especially in the premium compact segment worldwide. All since it was launched in 2014.

In addition, the design of the new BMW i3 and the exclusive first-ever BMW i3s has been altered. Moreover to enhance the sporty, urban built yet elegant design of the model. It’s featuring a wider track, wheel arch molding and design lines.

2018 BMW i3 Morphed

Because the 2018 BMW i3 models have morphed into a versatile, urban and innovative efficiency mobility vehicle.

For the first time, BMW also offers a more powerful and sportier version of the BMW i3. Let’s hear it for the BMW i3s. A sportier EV which can also be equipped with a Range Extender.

The 2018 BMW i3 and BMW i3s will also celebrate their world premiere. That’s at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt in September 2017. Then with pricing being also announced closer to market launch.

Electric Driving: A new era of mobility.

Recognized worldwide as a symbol of technology. Also sustainability and intelligent connectivity. Especially in the urban traffic environment. For the i3 has become the best-selling electric car worldwide. Especially in the premium compact segment.

Emission free mobility and performance.

Most importantly, the BMW eDrive technology enables drivers to enjoy emission-free mobility. All with instantaneous power delivery. Also an efficient use of energy and an optimized range for everyday practicality. I mean that even extends beyond the demands of purely urban travel.

Because the BMW i3 and the more powerful BMW i3s draw their energy from the lithium-ion high-voltage battery. All developed by the BMW Group with a cell capacity of 94-ampere hours (Ah).

BMW driving dynamics with instantaneous torque.

The agile handling characteristics of the BMW i3 have been optimized with the improved Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system. This comprehensively revised, faster responding Traction Control system. For it guarantees confident handling. Most importantly and under all driving conditions.

Traction in less than ideal driving conditions has also been noticeably improved. Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) mode now boosts agility. Especially at higher speeds and during sporty cornering.

That’s even allowing mild and safely controllable drifts when grip levels are reduced.

All electric motor

Furthermore, the synchronous electric motor powering the new BMW i3 generates a maximum output of 170 hp.

For its peak torque of 184 lb-ft is available instantly from standstill. That’s in a typical electric motor fashion.

This means that stepping on the accelerator pedal immediately unleashes a thrilling burst of speed. Let’s face it, the electric motor also smoothly delivers the kind of performance you need. Also that drivers expect.

Especially from a BMW via a single-speed automatic transmission. All with continuous power delivery that builds up the car’s speed.

0-60 in 7.2

The new BMW i3 accelerates from 0 – 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. That’s with an electronic top speed of 93 mph.

The first ever BMW i3s: a thoroughly dynamic performer.

The first of its kind and more powerful BMW i3s incorporates a number of design elements. I mean all of its own that highlight its particularly dynamic character.

On the first-ever BMW i3s, the roofline accent also sports the same high-gloss black finish as the A-pillars.

Underneath all of the design elements, the first-ever BMW i3s features a sports suspension.

One that includes a 10-millimeter drop in height.

Visually broader high-gloss black wheel arch moldings’ emphasize an increase of 40 millimeters track width.

That’s compared to the BMW i3 providing a stable stance and sportier looks. The BMW i3s comes standard with exclusive 20-inch light-alloy wheels in bicolor double-spoke design. All which are ½-inch wider than the previously available.

New high-performance motor and SPORT mode for BMW i3s.
1 Preliminary figures.

The first ever BMW i3s provides an even sportier interpretation of silent mobility with zero emissions and features a high output 184 hp1 electric motor.

One that generates peak torque of 199 lb-ft1. Also, it’s updated drive system includes modified motor control and specific taper roller bearings.

All which have been utilized to optimize power delivery. Moreover and the performance curve at higher rpm. At the limits of the motor speed range.

For the power and torque of the enhanced drive system represent an improvement of up to 40 percent over the BMW i3.

Driving Dynamics 

The driving dynamics and enhanced e-Driving abilities are significant. For that’s especially at higher engine speeds. Moreover when higher performance and higher torque is more noticeable.

Suspension

In addition, the first-ever BMW i3s features a sports suspension with specially developed springs, dampers and anti-roll bars. Drivers can now also select SPORT mode using the Driving Dynamics Control switch.

This also initiates more direct accelerator response and tighter steering characteristics to accentuate the car’s sporting edge.

Just 6.8 seconds is enough. All to see the BMW i3s burst past 60 mph on its way to a top speed of 100 mph.

Range Extender

A two-cylinder range extender gasoline engine is available as an option for all BMW i3 models. The engine drives a generator that produces power as required to feed electricity to the high-voltage battery, which becomes available whenever necessary.

For this extends the car’s overall range in everyday use by 87 miles.  Thereby increasing it from around 97 miles1 to a maximum of 180 miles1.

Design accents: A sporty yet elegant look.

The unmistakable, avant-garde exterior styling of BMW i3 has already picked up the iF Gold award for product design and the World Car Design of the Year award.

That’s along with other accolades.

For it has now been enhanced by a number of design touches. Those that also clearly convey the sporty and stirring driving experience on offer.

The trademark BMW i Black Belt. For the running from the trunk over the roof to the car’s rear end. It is now complemented by A-pillars and rooflines that also sport a black finish.

In contrast to the BMW i Black belt, two new exterior paint colors Melbourne Red metallic and Imperial Blue metallic compliment. All for the vehicle design.

Besides these two new additions, customers can also choose from the non-metallic shades Capparis White and Fluid Black. That’s as well as Protonic Blue metallic and Mineral Grey metallic.

A matte-chrome roofline accent on the BMW i3.

1 Preliminary figures.

The restyling of the front and rear aprons places particular emphasis on the car’s width. The redesigned front contour highlights a wider stance with athletic characteristic.

A chrome-design trim strip running across the full width of the rear. Moreover the positioning of the model and eDrive badges. M’ on the outer edges of the tailgate serves to reinforce this impression.

The new BMW i3 and the first-ever BMW i3s come equipped with Full-LED headlights as standard. All which employ LED bulb units for low and high beams, as well as the daytime running lights. 

Furthermore, the new design elements highlight the enhanced character to emphasize a strong presence and sportiness. Because BMW i3’s strong character is enhanced by the U-shaped feature line in matte black in the bumper.

Interior: great sense of roominess, sustainable materials.

Like the exterior design, the interior styling of the new BMW i3 and first ever BMW i3s is rooted in the LifeDrive vehicle architecture.

The carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell has a wonderfully spacious feel about it and is dominated by a sense of lightness.

It’s all in the design principle of the two four-seater models. One which 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 the greatest of ease.

Now the Mega, Giga and Tera World equipment lines are available for the new BMW i3 and first ever BMW i3s as alternatives to the standard Deka version. With that optional Giga World includes a new trim for the seat surfaces in Giga Brown Natural Leather & Carum Spice Grey Wool Cloth. All which combines natural leather tanned using an olive leaf extract with a wool-based textile material.

Sustainability

The BMW i3 and BMW i3s apply the concept of sustainability throughout, as other materials used are recycled plastics. Also renewable raw materials, natural fibers and open-pored, unbleached eucalyptus wood. Over 80 percent of the surfaces visible to the passengers are made from recycled materials or renewable resources.

The available seat belts in BMW i Blue for the first ever BMW i3s only, provide a splash of color in the interior. Typical BMW i Brand lettering are also visible on the front floor mats.

The latest BMW iDrive 6 interface

ConnectedDrive with navigation features and On-Street Parking Information specially developed for electric mobility.

Both the new BMW i3 and first-ever BMW i3s come with the latest version of iDrive, which provides an intuitive interface for controlling numerous vehicle, infotainment, communications and navigation functions. All specifically designed for BMW i. In vehicles equipped with the Navigation system Professional.

Also the Control Display features a 10.25-inch screen with an increased resolution of 1,440 × 540 pixels. The main menu is presented in the form of live tiles containing dynamic content. Then the voice recognition system has also been optimized with cloud-based off-board processing of speech.

All with Natural Language Understanding available with the Navigation system Professional. Then spoken instructions can now be executed more quickly and naturally. For that’s when searching for an address or Point of Interest. Also or for searching music and phone numbers or dictating e-mails and SMS messages.

Natural phrases such as “find coffee shops nearby” or “take me home” make for an effortless experience. When equipped with Apple CarPlay, additional smartphone apps can be seamlessly integrated within the vehicle’s operating system.

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.

BMW Digital Charging Service enables convenient and intelligent charging.

Planned for release in the first-half of 2018 is the BMW Digital Charging Service. BMW ConnectedDrive and the BMW ConnectedDrive Portal will turn charging into an easy to use digital experience.

As a result, the BMW i3 and BMW i3s are integrated perfectly into the customer’s smart ecosystem. The service’s ease of use. All from a smartphone via BMW Connected or from PCs and tablets via the BMW ConnectedDrive Portal.

That’s also facilitates fully transparent, sustainable use of renewable energy. With the introduction of its unique BMW Digital Charging Service, BMW becomes the world’s first carmaker to integrate electric mobility with its customers’ digital worlds.

360° ELECTRIC: new charging cable, BMW i Charging Station.

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 first ever BMW i3s has been optimized and includes a temperature sensor.

Charging at home is also extremely user-friendly thanks to the BMW i Charging Station which can supply 7.2 kW of power to charge the high-voltage battery.

This allows enough energy for an electric range of around 90 miles to be transferred in three hours – about five times quicker than with the standard Level 1 120 V charging cable. Drivers with a registered ChargeNow card have unrestricted access to the world’s largest network of public charging stations.

BMW Original Accessory: BMW TurboCord™ EV Charger.

Now available as a BMW Original Accessory the BMW TurboCord™ Electric Vehicle Charger can be purchased at certified BMW Centers for $499 MSRP.

This premium charging solution provides BMW i and BMW iPerformance drivers with the ultimate charging experience. Also flexible dual-voltage (120 V / 240 V) capability and nearly three-times faster charging. That’s all in the smallest, lightest UL-listed portable charger available.

In addition, the BMW TurboCord™ EV Charger components have been specifically engineered by BMW to meet BMW Group standards and requirements.

For that’s featuring a convenient 20 ft charging cord. I mean it provides two chargers in one. This 240v plug is state-of-the-art safety. For it features as unit and plug temperature monitoring, automatic shut-off and a rugged, waterproof, submersible enclosure (NEMA 6P).

One that enables users to safely and reliably charge indoor and outdoor.

Sustainability meets personal mobility.

BMW i is shaping the future of sustainable personal mobility. Its integrated concept focuses on responsible use of resources and incorporates material selection and innovative mobility services alongside emission-free driving.

In conclusion, the BMW i3 is just as serious about the fun of driving, turning even a trip around town into an electrifying experience. Finally, the inspirational design of the BMW i3 expresses a new style. All the while the instantaneous power from the drive system provides an inspiring showcase for the dawn of a new era in mobility.

Source: BMW

Woodcliff Lake, NJ – EMBARGO August 28, 2017 6:05 pm EDT / 3:05 pm PDT