BMW i3

The i3 is one of the most avant-garde cars to ever contest COTY. With its plastic-clad and carbon fibre-reinforced-plastic body topping an aluminium chassis that doubles as a protective barrier around its lithium-ion battery pack, the BMW made our other electric contender, the Tesla Model S, seem almost conventional.

The i3’s lightweight construction is designed to enhance driving range and performance. Its layout is also logical; its rear-mounted motor drives the rear wheels, giving the front wheels the freedom of movement for a turning circle of less than 10m.

For those wanting more driving range than the claimed 130-160km the 19kWh battery pack alone can provide, there’s the option of a distance doubling range extender (see sidebar). It adds $6000 to the $63,900 base price of the i3.

The BMW is expensive, and the design quality of its four-seat interior reflects the price tag. The i3’s cabin showcases materials that are both recycled and sustainable to create a unique and appealing ambience.

The car’s exterior is distinctive, too, in the sense that it will never be mistaken for anything else. But the car’s easy-to-replace plastic panels contribute to low repair costs after minor impacts. This, in turn, lowers insurance premiums.

With typical Australian retail electricity prices making the price of a full recharge about $5, BMW’s claim that the i3’s total running costs will be lower than a 1 Series with a small turbo-diesel are credible.

While the i3’s 2013 four-star Euro NCAP rating was duly noted, our initial testing at Ford’s You Yangs Proving Ground didn’t expose any dynamic concerns. The BMW’s key driver aids, notably its electronic chassis stability system, were found to be properly effective.

The instant responsiveness of its 125 kW electric motor makes the lightweight i3 amusingly potent. The motor delivers 250 Nm from zero revs, and can spin to 11,400rpm, explaining why nothing more than a single-speed transmission is needed.

However, the two i3s provided for COTY weren't perfectly behaved. The battery-powered car developed a fault that lit up the instrument panel with a variety of warnings, including loss of electronic stability control. It was traced by the technician sent by BMW to a low brake fluid level, and was rectified (never to return).

Later, a different judge discovered what happens when the battery of the i3 Range Extender is fully depleted. Performance is greatly reduced when the car is being propelled only by the 23 kW electrical output of the range-extender.

These events couldn't be ignored. But the i3’s brilliant interior, strong performance and here’s what-the-future-feels-like appeal mount a strong argument judged against the COTY criteria.

BODY
Type 5-door hatch, 4 seats
Boot capacity260 litres
Weight 1270-1390kg

DRIVETRAIN
Layout
Rear motor (east-west), RWD

Propulsion
Hybrid synchronous electric motor
(125kW/250Nm);
Optional range-extender 647cc 2cyl
(28kW/56Nm) with 23kW generator

Transmission
Single speed

CHASSIS
Tyres 155/70R19-155/60R20 (f),
175/60R19-175/50R20 (r)
ADR81 fuel consumption
0-0.6L/100km

Greenhouse emissions
0-13g/km
Collision mitigation
Optional (included in
Driving Assistant Plus package)
Crash rating4-star (Euro NCAP)
Prices$63,900 – $69,900