So far we have heard from the experts on the BMW i3, but what does a regular consumer think of BMW’s first electric-vehicle?

WHATCAR UK invited a selected number of customers to preview and “play around” with the new BMW i3.

The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (without Destination & Handling) in the US will be $41,350, before any federal or state incentives. The Destination & Handling fee in the US is currently $925.

In Germany, the BMW i3 starts at 34,950 Euros and will be available to customers in November 2013. UK customers will have to shell out £25,680.

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The BMW i3’s 170 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque hybrid-synchronous electric motor, developed and produced by BMW, is electrified by a 22-kWh lithium-ion battery, good for 80-100 miles of emission-free driving. Designed from the ground up to be an electric car, the BMW i3 uses the Industry’s first mass produced carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell mounted on an aluminum chassis.

The BMW i3 will offer interior space comparable to the legendary BMW 3 Series on a shorter overall body.