Being an electric car, the BMW i3 has the potential to teach one the uncomfortable ways of range anxiety. The Lexus CT200h on the other hand, relies on its hybrid nature to keep you away from such problems. Everybody knows that, but not anybody can turn this issue in the topic of an amusing parody, which is just what the crew over at Funny or Die have done.
The guys are treating us with a short film that looks like some sort of an extended commercial which shows the L car knocking out the Bimmer. Have you heard about a Dad’Chelor party before?
You probably haven’t and you should pay close attention to this, as it might just offer you and your mates an opportunity to spend some quality time in Vegas. This is described as “a celebration of a man’s final days of freedom before the birth of his first child.”
We hate ruining the fun, so don’t expect any spoilers here. Nonetheless, we can tell you to expect plenty of hilarious Lexus pokes BMW scenes.
What’s the i3 actually like in real life?
The i3’s lunch box is a 21.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which has an usable capacity of 18.8 kWh, with the difference being used to keep the battery from being fully depleted (this can cause permanent damage).
When the i3 is fully charged and with a moderate right foot, you get up to 78 miles (125 km) of driving range. You can turn to the two “Eco Pro” modes to achieve between 6 and 9 extra miles (10-15 km) for each of these. Mind you, if you include spirited driving moments in your trip, you can expect the range to fall up to about 60 miles (100 km).
BMW does offer a range extender, a 675cc 34 hp two-cylinder petrol unit from its Motorrad division. Alas, this isn’t a viable option. In Europe, a 9-liter (2.4-gallon) tank gives you an extra autonomy of around 60 miles (100 km), so the engine only achieves about 26 mpg (9l/100 km).
The extra weight of the Rex, as BMW calls it, affects the all-electric efficiency, as well as the performance. As if that weren’t enough, the US legislation has forced the automaker to reduce the tank capacity to 1.9 gallons (7.2 liters), so the extra range advantage is diminished.
Actually, BMW itself recommends you buy the i3 without the Rex. The carmaker offers a range of mobility services with its city EV, one of which promises to supply you with a conventionally-powered BMW for long journeys. This may sound like the perfect plan, but the scheme is not without its flaws. For instance, you’ll have to schedule the whole thing, so spontaneous vacation plans are out of the question.
Returning to the i3 itself, this makes sense if you only use it inside the city and you have a bit of a fetish for being an early adopter.
In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist. Full profile
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