Photo: BMW
BMW already managed to sell over 10,000 i3 cars worldwide since the model went into production. That makes it one of the most popular cars in the current line-up and in its own segment as well. The choice BMW offered people seems to be the secret, as the i3 is available both in all-electric guise and with a range-extender.
For those of you that don’t know this already, the range-extender is basically a 2-cylinder 650cc scooter engine mounted on top of the rear axle that recharges the battery of the car. That’s it. All it does is recharge the batteries using a 1.9-gallon (7 liters) tank of gas. Seems like a good idea?
Well, it is to some extent. Calculations show that the REx model (range-extended i3) has double the range of the full-EV version. However, you do lose a couple more things on the way.
The car gets heavier by 300 lbs (136 kg) which will take up some of that range, driving the energy consumption up. Furthermore, you’re not as eco-friendly as you’re supposed to be with an i3 that is basically a statement in this regard. That scooter engine does emit CO2 while the EV model is completely emissions free.
However, the biggest change is in the car’s dynamics. This is a BMW after all, even though it has tires as wide as a man’s hands. It has a rear-wheel drive setup and a tall center of gravity compared to other models. This is where weight starts to show.
It’s also biting a big chunk of the performance of the car. The EV version will do 62 mph (100 km/h) in 7.2 seconds while the REx will do the same 0.7 seconds slower. That’s a big difference. Independent tests say otherwise though.
Car and Driver claims that during their test, the REx managed to do the 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) sprint in 7 seconds flat which we find downright incredible. Yes, incredible, as in ‘we don’t believe it’.
Don’t get us wrong, if any BMW goes faster than the manufacturer’s claim, we’re excited about it but a difference of this size is basically unbelievable. We’ve seen cars go faster but only by 0.1 or 0.2 seconds, 0.7 seconds is just too much.
Well, it is to some extent. Calculations show that the REx model (range-extended i3) has double the range of the full-EV version. However, you do lose a couple more things on the way.
The car gets heavier by 300 lbs (136 kg) which will take up some of that range, driving the energy consumption up. Furthermore, you’re not as eco-friendly as you’re supposed to be with an i3 that is basically a statement in this regard. That scooter engine does emit CO2 while the EV model is completely emissions free.
However, the biggest change is in the car’s dynamics. This is a BMW after all, even though it has tires as wide as a man’s hands. It has a rear-wheel drive setup and a tall center of gravity compared to other models. This is where weight starts to show.
It’s also biting a big chunk of the performance of the car. The EV version will do 62 mph (100 km/h) in 7.2 seconds while the REx will do the same 0.7 seconds slower. That’s a big difference. Independent tests say otherwise though.
Car and Driver claims that during their test, the REx managed to do the 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) sprint in 7 seconds flat which we find downright incredible. Yes, incredible, as in ‘we don’t believe it’.
Don’t get us wrong, if any BMW goes faster than the manufacturer’s claim, we’re excited about it but a difference of this size is basically unbelievable. We’ve seen cars go faster but only by 0.1 or 0.2 seconds, 0.7 seconds is just too much.
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