Have you ever fancied an all-electric BMW i3, but been put off by concerns about the original's limited range? Then you're in luck, as BMW has now managed to crowbar in a new 94Ah/33kWh battery – leading to a significant hike in the i3's potential NEDC-tested range in the process.
With the old 60Ah/25kWh battery slung by the wayside, and fed by its uprated new battery pack, the 94Ah i3 is reputed to travel up to 195 miles on a single charge; that's a big step up compared to the claimed 118-mile figure of the 60Ah version.
In reality you’re more likely to get around 130 miles, which is still an improvement compared to its predecessor's real-world 80-mile range – and possibly enough to calm your nerves if you’re anxious about running out of juice.
But when the time comes that you do need to recharge, you’ll be back up and running quicker than before thanks to faster DC rapid charging as standard – the i3 will be fully charged from empty in less than three hours. This system also grants the option of a fast charge, which takes the i3's battery from 0-80% in less than 40 minutes.
BMW i3 94Ah is such a small car that you imagine somehow that it will be a bit of a worthy sluggard. But press the pedal from standstill and the acceleration is absolutely stunning. Do it in a crowded city and you’d better be ready for it. Even up to 60mph you’re accelerating at a ferocious rate. All this with virtually no noise, helped by the skinny eco-friendly tyres.
The opposite also applies. Because of the energy regeneration system, just lifting your foot off the throttle brings a sharp reduction in speed. We’re not quite talking F1 levels here, but until you’re used to it it’s easy to simply stop before you’ve even reached the junction or done more than feather the brake.
This is all pretty tremendous, and it’s helped by the high seating position, with excellent views around. The i3 may be more of a city car but it was a great way to see the countryside on our test route in southern Germany. Germany – smooth roads. Terrific, resulting in fast, quiet almost uncanny progress that was a real pleasure
However, some of the German roads can almost match ours for hideousness. And on the rough roads the i3 is really rough. It’s almost like the old Audi A2 in that it’s dimensionally challenged so the admittedly firm suspension just doesn’t have a long enough platform to work with. It really does crash about, passing it all on to the occupants.
So if you’re considering buying one, it might be worth considering where you tend to drive. It’s not as if the new i3 can’t handle life outside the city, it can, but if you’re looking at regular miles on potholed country lanes this might not work so well. But for many people this represents a clever, attractive, determinedly modern little car that now has a much more real-world range.
A specialist DC charger can give you 80% power in 40 minutes. BMW’s own wall-mounted system for home can give you 80% charge in under three hours. Reasons not to get an electric car are diminishing, but the final hurdle is perhaps the price. At nearly £28,000 even taking into account the government grant, that is a lot of money for such a car. But it’s a lot of car for the money too.
Complete specification at a glance
Price £27,830 (after £4500 government grant)
Power 168bhp at 4800rpm
Gearbox Single speed
Kerb weight 1195kg
0-62mph 7.3sec
Top speed 93mph
Range 195 miles (claimed);
CO2 rating/BIK tax band 0g/km, 7%
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