The BMW i3 is a rather peculiar car in the line-up of the Bavarian car maker. I’m not referring to the ever-repeating styling issue everyone seems so keen to pick on, but rather to the way it is built and developed. The BMW i3 and the i8 are quite different than “regular” BMWs and they don’t adhere to the same rules. The i3, for example, has gotten three important updates so far and a facelift, something you rarely see on other cars.
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And yet, its story will continue the same way, for a bit longer. Speaking to Auto Express on the sidelines of the Geneva Motor Show, the BMW i Division chief, Robert Irlinger, said that the company will offer a couple more upgrades for the i3 in the future:
“There is always further potential, and we always look to the market and and whether we’ll need something – a big update or a small update. But there is more to come. When you’re talking about the battery, actually we had quite good feedback from the markets that the latest [120Ah] one is totally fine, if you’re using the car normally in an urban area. There is a little bit more coming; you will see something.”
That looks like a promise to further improve the i3 in key areas. The design of the thing was futuristic when it was launched and it will probably withstand the test of time for a longer period than the usual 7-year production cycle. It may be controversial but it’s definitely not looking old. And it looks like the i3 will be in production for longer than usual, according to the same BMW i Division chief.
“The i cars – the i3 and the i8 – are not comparable with normal BMW cars, which usually have a life cycle of about seven years. With i we will always try something new. Every year we’ve been selling more. We’re still confident with the car, and about its future success. If more people like it, and they keep liking it, why should we drop it?” Irlinger added. That’s something we’ve heard time and time again and it looks like it’s turning out to be true. We’re just curious about how BMW plans to upgrade its i models.
Original 6 Series produced for over a decade, perpetual updates. When i3 was new, BMW said they didn’t know what BEV tech. would be in 5 yrs. Since it still looks like nothing else on the road, why not keep developing & improving it? Original New Class models were also produced for over a decade, before being replaced by original 3/5/6/7.
I agree, and I’m also sure that this chassis is good enough to do service for decades to come – it is way ahead of its time. I can imagine that BMW will keep on improving this car incrementally for many years. Same with the i8. Good tactic if you ask me.
It is good that BMW recognizes this car is ahead of the future. It might be an unusual styling, but for an urban car it makes a ton of sense. That it will be developed further is to BMW’s credit. Now sales are taking off so that tells you that they were right initial, if maybe just a little bit ahead of the market.
BMW made the correct decision to design its electric car from the ground up using the CFRP technology. The current hybridization of gasoline models has been inspired, but they should not abandon the i3 in the future.
It’s an excellent urban car and the current battery range is also adequate for an urban car. One could also call it the “ideal” size, as one isn’t carrying around extra battery that is not needed. I charged my original 2014 i3 REX with the 66, or so mile range, every 4-5 days, so the 2017+ models would give me a week, for my urban-only use. And, I never needed the REX. Turned out it was a PIA with the requirement for “maintenance” runs and the need for resistance heating because the fuel tank took up the space the BEV version used for a heat pump. I’d really like to see a change in the wheels/tires, though. I understand that they are “hyper-mile” versions, but with the larger battery, I see some room for improving the compliance and opening up the spec/size to more vendors. Right now, there is only the one vendor making i3 sizes and a lot of owners are unsatisfied with the tire life.
Yep the tires are the single worst thing about the i3. You almost have to keep a spare on hand because if you get a flat you’re not likely to find ANYONE with them in stock.
Is there any way to do an “early rollover” from a leases 2017 i3 REX to a 2019 i3 Sport Rex?
Sometimes dealers offer that, but it will have to come from them.
I would like to take all the parts from an i3 and make a mini Rimac. Could be made for more or less the same price and would be über cool.