How does the tech-fest electric BMW i3 fare against a traditional hot hatch in the form of the Suzuki Swift? AutoExpress UK takes the two cars to the track for a proper battle.

Suzuki Swift Sport is powered by a 1.6 liter 4-cylinder engine producing 136 hp and 160 Nm torque. It uses a high performance CVT transmission with 7-speed manual mode.

At 3,890mm (153.15 inches), the car is slightly shorter than the BMW i3 – 3,999 mm (157.4 in).

The BMW i3 is the first of the BMW i vehicles constructed from the ground up primarily of carbon fiber to enter the U.S. market. With 170 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque hybrid-synchronous electric motor, the fully electric BMW i3 is electrified by a 22-kWh lithium-ion battery, good for 80-100 miles of emission-free driving.

The BMW i3 has a base MSRP of $41,350 and the range-extender model has a starting MSRP of $45,200.

Let’s have a look.