BMW i3

For the battery electric sedan based on the 3 Series and produced in China since 2022, see BMW i3 (G28).

BMW i3
Overview
ManufacturerBMW
Model codeI01
ProductionSeptember 2013 – August 2022 (250,000 units)[1]
Model years2014–2021 (North America)
AssemblyGermany: Leipzig (BMW Group Plant Leipzig)
DesignerRichard Kim[2][3]
Body and chassis
ClassSupermini/subcompact car (B)
Body style5-door hatchback
LayoutRear-motor, rear-wheel-drive
DoorsConventional doors (front)
Suicide doors (rear)
Powertrain
Engine647 cc W20K06U0 25 kW I2 range extender
9 L (2.4 US gal) in Europe[4] and U.S (2017+)[5]
7.2 L (1.9 US gal) in the U.S. (2014–2016)[5]
Electric motorBMW eDrive synchronous permanent magnet motor 125 kW[6] 137 kW
TransmissionSingle speed with fixed ratio[7]
Hybrid drivetrainSeries plug-in hybrid
Range extender (i3 REx)
Batteryi3 60 Ah: 18.2 kWh (22 gross) lithium-ion[8]
i3 94 Ah: 27.2 kWh (33 gross) lithium-ion[9]
i3 120 Ah: 37.9 kWh (42.2 gross) lithium-ion
Electric rangeBEV 60 Ah
130 km (81 mi) EPA[10]
129 to 161 km (80 to 100 mi) NEDC[7]
BEV 94 Ah
183 km (114 mi) EPA[9]
BEV 120 Ah
246 km (153 mi) EPA[11]
359 km (223 mi) NEDC[12]
309 km (192 mi) WLTP[12]
REx 60 Ah (with range extender)
116 km (72 mi) (EPA)[13]
Total: 241 km (150 mi) (EPA)[13]
REx 94 Ah (with range extender)
156 km (97 mi)
Total: 290 km (180 mi)[14]
REx 120 Ah (with range extender)
203 km (126 mi)
Total: 322 km (200 mi)
Plug-in charging7.4 kW on-board charger on IEC Combo AC, optional 50 kW Combo DC, DCFC standard on 2015+ models in the US market.
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,570 mm (101.2 in)[7]
Length3,999 mm (157.4 in)[7]
Width1,775 mm (69.9 in)[7]
Height1,578 mm (62.1 in)[7]
Kerb weight60 Ah: 1,195 kg (2,635 lb)[7]
60 Ah: 1,315 kg (2,899 lb) (with range extender)[7]
Chronology
SuccessorBMW iX
BMW i4

The BMW i3 is an electric car that was manufactured by German marque BMW from 2013 to 2022. The i3 was BMW's first mass-produced zero emissions vehicle and was launched as part of BMW's electric vehicle BMW i sub-brand. It is a B-segment, high-roof hatchback with an electric powertrain. It uses rear-wheel drive via a single-speed transmission and an underfloor lithium-ion battery pack with an optional range-extending petrol engine.[15]

Styled by Richard Kim, the i3 is a five-door with a passenger module of high strength, ultra-lightweight carbon fibre reinforced polymer adhered to an aluminium chassis, battery, drive system and powertrain. The body features two clamshell rear-hinged rear doors.

The i3 debuted as a concept at the 2011 International Motor Show Germany,[15][16] and production began in September 2013[17] in Leipzig.

It ranked third amongst electric cars sold worldwide from 2014 to 2016.[18][19][20] Its global sales totaled 250,000 units by the end of 2022.[21] Germany was its biggest market with over 47,500 units delivered through December 2021, followed by the U.S. with over 45,000.[22]

The i3 won two World Car of the Year Awards, selected as 2014 World Green Car of the Year and as 2014 World Car Design of the Year.[23] The i3 received an iF Product Design Gold Award,[24] and won UK Car of the Year 2014 and Best Supermini of 2014 in the first UK Car of the Year Awards.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Kable was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Richard Kim – Exterior Designer BMW i3 i8. YouTube. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
  3. ^ Phil Patton (10 November 2011). "At BMW's New Electric Subbrand, a Young Designer Makes His Mark". The New York Times. Retrieved 9 February 2014.
  4. ^ Nikki Gordon-Bloomfield (23 April 2014). "U.S. Spec BMW i3 REX: Smaller Gas Tank, No Range Hold, Limited Speed?". Transport Evolved. Archived from the original on 3 May 2014. Retrieved 2 May 2014.
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference i3RExSpecs was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ BMW i. "BMW i3 Technical Data: BMW eDrive". BMW. Archived from the original on 7 October 2015. Retrieved 4 October 2015.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h Jay Cole (29 July 2013). "BMW i3 Range Extender To Offer Up to 87 More Miles, Decreases Performance". InsideEVs. Retrieved 29 July 2013.
  8. ^ "BMW i3 Technical Data". Retrieved 19 March 2014.
  9. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference EPAi3A94 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference EPAi3BEV was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ "BMW i3 2019 120Ah". BMW i3 owner. 29 November 2018.
  12. ^ a b "The all-electric BMW i3 120Ah". BMW Press Club UK. 28 September 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  13. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference EPAi3REx was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  14. ^ Cite error: The named reference EPA2017i3REx was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  15. ^ a b Jack Ewing (29 July 2010). "Will Plug-In BMWs Turn Enthusiasts On?". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 October 2010.
  16. ^ Cite error: The named reference i3FMS2011 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  17. ^ Cite error: The named reference NYT072013 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  18. ^ Cite error: The named reference Top10PEVs2016 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  19. ^ Cite error: The named reference BMWi3Top2014 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  20. ^ Cite error: The named reference Top2015Global was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  21. ^ Cite error: The named reference BMWi3250K was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  22. ^ Cite error: The named reference Sales2021US was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  23. ^ Henry, Jim. "New York Auto Show: BMWi3 Is The 2014 World Green Car Of The Year". Forbes. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
  24. ^ "La BMW I3 Tire Sa Révérence Après 8 Ans de Carrière". autoplus. 5 July 2022.