Photo: BMW
When it went on sale in 2013, the BMW i3 made some jaws drop with its price. The 2017 model with the updated battery ushered in an even higher price, but the 2018 BMW i3s REx wins this game of Top Trumps. At $51,500, the range-topping variant of the eco-friendly hatchback is exceedingly expensive.
Take, for comparison, the Tesla Model 3. Equipped with the standard battery, rear-wheel-drive, and all the optional extras ticked from the list, you’re looking at $50,500, 220 miles of range, and 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. For what it’s worth, the 2018 BMW i3s without the range extender is more appropriately priced, with the pricing guide released by BMW showing that it costs $47,650.
Published by BMW Blog, the guide also lists the pricing for the regular i3 ($44,450) and i3 REx ($48,300). In other words, the non-s models carry the same suggested retail price as the 2017 model year. Both the i3s and i3s REx come with the 20-inch BMW i Turbine wheels (Style 429) from the get-go. Looking through the specs sheet, both models also get a lot of kit as standard.
What does the “s” in i3s stand for? For a change, more power. Instead of the regular 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet (250 Nm) of torque, the i3s is rated at 184 horsepower and 199 pound-feet (270 Nm). Zero to 60 mph is irrelevant for such a vehicle, with BMW quoting an acceleration time to 60 km/h (37 mph) of 3.7 seconds. If you insist, 60 mph is doable in 6.8 seconds.
BMW didn’t work its magic on the 94 Ah (33 kWh) battery, with the i3s offering an effective range of 97 miles (156 kilometers). The i3s REx, on the other hand, is capable of 180 miles (289 kilometers), which falls short of the rear-wheel-drive Tesla Model 3 with the standard battery (220 miles). Heck, even the Chevrolet Bolt offers more range, but then again, the BMW badge is arguably the most desirable of the lot.
Oh well, better luck with the BMW i5.
Published by BMW Blog, the guide also lists the pricing for the regular i3 ($44,450) and i3 REx ($48,300). In other words, the non-s models carry the same suggested retail price as the 2017 model year. Both the i3s and i3s REx come with the 20-inch BMW i Turbine wheels (Style 429) from the get-go. Looking through the specs sheet, both models also get a lot of kit as standard.
What does the “s” in i3s stand for? For a change, more power. Instead of the regular 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet (250 Nm) of torque, the i3s is rated at 184 horsepower and 199 pound-feet (270 Nm). Zero to 60 mph is irrelevant for such a vehicle, with BMW quoting an acceleration time to 60 km/h (37 mph) of 3.7 seconds. If you insist, 60 mph is doable in 6.8 seconds.
BMW didn’t work its magic on the 94 Ah (33 kWh) battery, with the i3s offering an effective range of 97 miles (156 kilometers). The i3s REx, on the other hand, is capable of 180 miles (289 kilometers), which falls short of the rear-wheel-drive Tesla Model 3 with the standard battery (220 miles). Heck, even the Chevrolet Bolt offers more range, but then again, the BMW badge is arguably the most desirable of the lot.
Oh well, better luck with the BMW i5.
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