The BMW i3 Daze - The new 5-door urban electric car

Prepare To Be Amazed

When you mention the BMW i brand people usually respond by stating how amazing the i8 is, how flawless it’s design is and how magnificent it performs. What about the i3? What about its futuristic approach to vehicle design? What about its impeccable 0-100km/h in just over 7 seconds? It’s a moment where you are obligated to appreciate the smaller things in life, because to be honest, the new BMW i3 is absolutely sublime. Not only is this vehicle the bomb in terms of performance, but it’s an eye-catching piece of machinery at that. 

Never judge a book by its cover

To be quite honest when I started my career in the automotive industry my focus, as any other young aspiring graduate, was directed firmly on the 266 kW BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car. This would soon change as my DP encouraged me to get a feel for the i3 and at the same time excite our customers about it. How can you excite a customer in an uncool car like the i3 right? Wrong! The BMW i3 is an absolute revelation, it’s forward thinking at its best and to be quite honest it’s the car that I get excited about most for every day driving purposes. I never thought that this vehicle would provide such and exciting and fun element to customer drop-offs. It’s an immediate conversation starter and it’s an experience most remember and tend to communicate to their friends and family. I have caught myself talking about the i3 around a braai fire to my mates on more occasions than I would like to admit. It’s just that exciting and electrifying, see what I did there?

The BMW i3 is available in two different models that comprise of the i3 BEV and i3 REx (Range Extender). Both of these models boast a 125kW electric motor producing 250 Nm of torque from a standing start, capable of traveling between 130-160 Km. The difference between the two exist in the fact that the REx offers an alternative source of power through its 647cc 2-cylinder combustion engine, mounted in the back, accompanied by a 9l fuel tank, allowing the i3 REx to extend its range to approximately 260-300 Km.

Some claim that the range can be extended beyond that when driving in optimum Eco Pro + mode. I have unfortunately not been able to push the little maestro to those extremes as a youngster employee in the automotive workforce. I suppose it might have something to do with the fact that I tried to push an X6M to achieve its top speed or possibly when I tried to do drift around a corner with our new 750i that limits my leash of trust. Whatever the case may be, I am adamant in the fact that an individual is innocent until proven guilty.

Before we got side-track by my alleged indiscretions, I was busy ranting on how I absolutely adore the little i3. The fact of the matter is I enjoy the concept of forward thinking. I am excited by the element of contributing to the sustainability of the planet and I am pro change if change represent positive rewards. Oil is ultimately a non-renewable resource and it's of upmost importance that we plan and be ready for the inevitable change. With that said electric powered vehicles are definitely the future whether people like it or not. Personally I feel South Africans as a whole should embrace it. It might be a little bit expensive at this stage, but give it some time, eventually it will become more affordable. Also, the infrastructure linked to it will improve and nationwide charging will become a reality.

The other impressive elements associated with the i3 are the use of recycled materials in the interior design of the vehicle, just adding to its sustainability level. These recycled materials include 100% recycled polyester seat covers, deccan hemp fibres utilised in the door panels, eucalyptus wood obtained from Europe, naturally-tanned leather and finally a quarter of the weight of the plastic utilized in the interior of the i3 derives from recycled or renewable materials.

That is the thing though, each element of this vehicle is just more impressive than the next. It is a brilliantly formulated vehicle that has been designed and executed to perfection. One can most certainly appreciate the time and thought that went into this project and even if you don’t like it, you should definitely respect it. Being a part of the future of this country I encourage the young and old out there to embrace this change and be a part of a better tomorrow. We are ultimately responsible for the sustainability of this earth. 

Till we meet again little i3...