BMW i3 Introduction

[insightman]

Here's BMW's dramatic introduction of the Neue Klasse i3 (claiming a 440-mile EPA range):




And BMW's Design Deep-Dive hosted by former MINI design chief, Oliver Heilmer:




BMW Press Club's 138 photos include this sexy concept illustration for the i3 (if only...):

 

[brianc35]

The more I read about this platform, the more I'm getting the itch to try one.

 

[Puppethead]

If this article is correct, it's not going to be cheap. Speculating $50,000-$55,000. Maybe not outrageous for luxury-class EVs, but it's pretty steep for any car. That's almost as much as I paid for my F-150 Lightning, and around $20,000 more than I paid for my top-of-the-line MINI Cooper SE.

The new BMW i3 will go on sale soon, but another EV is on its way out

 

[brianc35]

Honestly, 50k is pretty mid line these days.

Fuel/power plant aside, you can't lump it in with an accord/camry and certainly not with a Kona or mini, the 3-series has always been 5-10k more than lower market cars. It's a peer to the a4 (well, A5 now) which is also 50k to start. The CT5 comes to mind for a comparable as well. Perhaps that's better targeted to a 5-series than a 3-series, but the price point is right there in the 50-60k range.

If EVs are going to make a comeback in 2027, the price point needs to match - or even beat - ICE variants. The initial wave of adopters who wanted one are in the market already. The holdouts aren't going to splurge or it.

 

[Puppethead]

If EVs are going to make a comeback in 2027, the price point needs to match - or even beat - ICE variants. The initial wave of adopters who wanted one are in the market already. The holdouts aren't going to splurge or it.

I definitely agree. The original i3 was a lot of carbon fiber so the higher price was almost understandable. And BMW is a premium brand, but as for the wider EV market car makers need to offer stuff under $40,000. Not likely to happen much in the US for now, though.

At least BMW is offering a sedan instead of just the horrible SUV form factor.

 

[insightman]

I definitely agree. The original i3 was a lot of carbon fiber so the higher price was almost understandable. And BMW is a premium brand, but as for the wider EV market car makers need to offer stuff under $40,000. Not likely to happen much in the US for now, though.

At least BMW is offering a sedan instead of just the horrible SUV form factor.

BMW's going to offer a lower-priced RWD version of the i3, but if the i3 50 xDrive sells like the iX3 is selling (already 50K orders), they won't have much incentive to rush the "entry-level" i3 to market.

 

[brianc35]

entry level bmw's shouldn't exist.
318 is a perfect example of this

 

[insightman]

entry level bmw's shouldn't exist.
318 is a perfect example of this

A base i3 will probably have a smaller battery pack to go with its single, rear motor. If it's considerably lighter than the 50 xDrive, it might actually be more fun to drive (I equate fun with handling, not raw acceleration).