BMW’s first electric vehicle – the i3 – is due for a refresh this year. First spy photos of the 2018 BMW i3 facelift surface from Germany where prototypes have hit the street. While the prototypes carry the usual camouflage which hides the fine design details, they let out a few key details. One of them is the stance of the facelifted i3 which sits lower to the ground for a sportier ride. The i3 also sports a wider body kit, along with slightly wider wheels which will also work in tandem to give the i3 owners the BMW ride they expect.
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The front fascia will go through some changes as well. As you notice under the camo skin, the front bumper will be slightly redesigned, while the headlights will get new graphics. In the back, the changes are less noticeable. The taillights will remain untouched, while the bumper gets a small adjustment.
The spy photos can be seen here.
What’s unclear at the moment is whether BMW will sell two versions of the i3 – The facelifted model and the sporty i3 S.
The i3 S, as it is expected to be called, aims to be the market’s first proper electric hot hatch. Built upon the current i3, but with tech and features from the upcoming i3 facelift, the i3s is expected to deliver between 10 and 15 more horsepower than the current model – which offers 168 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque – enough to propel the i3 from 0 to 62 mph in 7.3 second. The slight bump in power is likely to offer a faster standard sprint.
The interior is expected to be refreshed with an updated infotainment system, as well.
With Frankfurt Auto Show taking place in September, it’s hard to believe that BMW won’t use this opportunity to introduce the i3 facelift and the new i3 S.
That’s a photo of the Mr Porter BMW i3 with pinstripe – it has been available for quite a while – I work for Net-a-porter
I know, we used a stock image
Yes, you have to click on the link that says “can be seen here.”
Correct. We don’t own the copyright to them so it wouldn’t be fair to publish them.
You could draw your “interpretation” on a piece of paper and scan it. :) Use that as an article header.
That is a sound and rigorous process.
Looks kike the Lexus CT200h
Looks like the i3.
I love our i3, but the updates need to be substantial or we won’t be leasing another one in December. The range, the power loss, the wimpy tires and the crude lawnmower REX engine are my main gripes. I drove the X5 3.0e. Too large and too reliant upon the ICE. The x1 would be perfect as an EV. But it isn’t available. I hope BMW is dedicated to this.
Samsung SDI has new 120Ah prismatic cells in production next month that could give a 30-40% range boost over the 94Ah and 60Ah cells they’ve been supplying to BMW for the i3. The cells are slightly smaller form factor and lower weight too.
“Power Loss” is not something I’m familiar with… but then again I’m a european i3 driver not subject to the artificial restrictions placed on the US version.
There’s also an electric X3 and 3-series on the way in 2019/2020 (though I suspect these form the backup plan if Tesla eats heavily into the BMW range with the Model 3 and Model Y).
Fingers crossed! The i3 is the most fascinating car I’ve ever owned. Just a few important things they need to tweak.
Are you sure that they will make it into production this year? I couldn’t find any source that said so. I thought this facelift was only cosmetically, with the S model having a bit more power. It surely would help if BMW could increase range to 150 miles, or so. Todays range is laughably low, compared to the Bolt, or even the Renault ZOE.
Yup, I’m not sure the cells will be available in quantity until the end of Q4, but they are going into production this year. The new i3s will probably see a September announcement with first production in November/December.
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