BMW’s electric hatchback gains a sporty variant, as well as increased range and an upgraded infotainment system.
The BMW i3 is one of our favourite electric cars, because while it does everything that the less expensive Renault Zoe and Nissan Leaf can do, it also offers a smart interior and one of the best infotainment systems on the market. In fact, we named it the best electric car you can buy for £20,000-£40,000 at the most recent What Car? Car of the Year Awards.
Now, though, there’s a facelifted version that offers more range, improved technology and even a sporty i3s model for those seeking hot hatchback levels of performance.
2018 BMW i3 features and interior
Styling changes over the current i3 are relatively minor, including black roof pillars and black roof lines, a new range of paint finishes and updated front and rear bumpers designed to make the car appear wider and more sporty.
The sporty i3s, meanwhile, features lowered suspension, large 20in alloy wheels with wider tyres, a more aggressive front bumper with large air intakes, gently flared wheel arches and more space between its rear wheels to improve agility.
2018 BMW i3 engines
As before, the i3 is available both as a pure electric vehicle and as a range extender – where a small 37bhp two-cylinder petrol engine keeps the battery topped up on the move, adding about 90 miles of real-world range.
The i3s, meanwhile, features a more powerful 184bhp electric motor that also produces more torque, allowing it to reach 62mph in 6.9sec with a top speed of 99mph. Again, its real-world range is quoted as 125 miles.
2018 BMW i3 price
The updated BMW i3 and i3s are already available to order, with prices starting from £34,070 – although that drops to £29,570 when the Government’s electric vehicle grant (worth £4500) is taken into account.
Read more: WhatCar