BMW i3 claims 912 km range
The electric 3 Series competes with petrol models in France despite added weight.
By Nadia Khalil ·
912 kilometers. That is the estimated range BMW claims for the top-tier i3 50 electric vehicle. The figure appears on a car that weighs 2.3 tonnes and sits at the center of the brand’s shift to battery power. The launch marks a major transition for the 3 Series, a model that has defined the segment for decades.
The i3 sits on BMW’s Neue Klasse platform. It comes in two versions, both with dual-motor all-wheel drive. The i3 40 uses an 82.8 kWh battery and delivers 374 hp. It costs 60,285 euros. The i3 50 adds a larger 108.7 kWh pack and 469 hp. Its price starts at 67,215 euros. Both models charge quickly, with the 50 accepting up to 400 kW on DC plugs.
Test drivers in Luberon, France, evaluated the cars on winding roads. The route included motorway sections to test assisted driving software, which some viewed as a signal of confidence in highway performance over cornering. Inside, the cabin features a Panoramic Vision display. The steering wheel is thinner than in the iX3 and iX4. Rear legroom and boot loading access are reduced compared to the iX3, however.
The electric cars feel heavier than their petrol counterparts. The i3 50 is 345 kg heavier than the M350 six-cylinder petrol model. That mass is noticeable in corners. The vehicle remains agile, but it carries its weight differently. BMW’s central computer system, named Heart of Joy, coordinates the electric motors and braking. The company states this system responds ten times faster than previous setups.
Drivers noted the power delivery is immediate. The brakes grip well. The safety systems do not override the driver’s inputs aggressively. On twisty roads, the i3 50 handled with composure. Some testers felt the car resembled an older 5 Series in its body roll. The M350, driven the next morning, offered a lighter, sharper feel. Its straight-six engine produced a sound that electric motors cannot replicate.
The M350 is priced at 111,585 euros for the all-wheel-drive version. The base 320 petrol model costs 67,655 euros. The i3 40 is 7,370 euros cheaper than that petrol model. A plug-in hybrid version is also planned, with hopes for a three-figure electric range. The i3 40 currently offers the lowest entry price among the new lineup options.
The electric 3 Series retains the driving dynamics expected of the nameplate. It trades the raw lightness of the petrol M350 for substantial battery range and instant torque. The price gap between the top electric model and the top petrol model remains wide. Buyers choosing the i3 get a car that drives like a BMW, though it feels larger and heavier on the road.
