The BMW i3 nameplate would usually relate to the electrical hatchback, till just lately. Now, BMW has given a brand new that means to the i3. The model concluded manufacturing of the hatch in summer season of 2022, and reintroduced the i3 as an all-electric sedan, unique to China, the place the three Sequence usually tops the premium-compact phase.
Apparently, the BMW i4 was additionally new to the market, and having skilled each automobiles first-hand, listed here are the variations I discovered throughout my time with the electrical sedans.
Design
There are two configurations on supply, the BMW i3 eDrive35L, and the BMW i3 eDrive40L, the final letter referring to the ten cm longer size it has over the common 3 Sequence sedan. The variant mentioned on this article is the BMW i3 eDrive35L.
BMW appears to have standardized the design recipe for its electrical fashions. Just like the iX1 and iX3, the BMW i3 sedan additionally will get a closed-off kidney grille with a gloss again end. Its total design relies on the G20 3 Sequence design. The i4 differentiates itself with its huge grille which stretches all the way in which all the way down to the decrease air consumption and is greater than double in measurement.
Each EVs have aerodynamic wheels. The BMW i3 sedan comes with 19-inch wheels whereas the BMW i4 affords 18- and 19-inch wheel choices on the i4 eDrive40 in america. What’s extra, the i3 measures longer (191.8 inches) than the i4 (188.5 inches). The i3 additionally has an extended wheelbase (116.7 inches) than that of the i4 (112.4 inches).
On the rear, the BMW i3 sedan will get the identical LED taillamps as the three Sequence. That mentioned, each the i3 and the i4 get an aggressively styled rear bumper, which has been optimised for aero-efficiency.
Inside & Options
The inside of the BMW i3 sedan is an enormous departure from what is obtainable on the three Sequence. In reality, it’s extra according to the i4, though with distinct heart console and door trim designs. The digital actual property is equivalent on the 2 sedan siblings. The i3 and the i4 each use the curved show panel with a 14.9-inch central touchscreen infotainment and a 12.3-inch digital cockpit.
Nevertheless, the middle console is exclusive. The BMW i3 sedan has the gear selector stalk behind the steering wheel whereas the i4 has a correct gear lever. That mentioned, each sedans get the identical bodily buttons for local weather management and drive modes amongst different features. What’s fascinating is that the i3 will get the M steering wheel (or a unit that’s carefully matched) which can also be current on the i4 M50.
Each sedans had been launched with the BMW iDrive 8 software program, and the i4 just lately switched to eight.5 which is simpler and extra intuitive to function in comparison with the older era OS. The i3’s system is appropriate with platforms like WeChat, Tencent Small Scene 2.0 and QQ Music that are fashionable in China. It additionally helps Apple CarPlay.
Specs
The BMW i3 eDrive35L is powered by a single rear-axle-mounted electrical motor which produces 282 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. It will get a 66.1 kWh battery which delivers a CLTC licensed vary of 327 miles. The BMW i4 eDrive40 alternatively makes 335 hp and 317 lb-ft. It comes with a bigger 81.5 kWh battery which supplies 301 miles of vary on the EPA cycle.
With the addition of the i3 eDrive40L, the clear efficiency benefit that the i4 single-motor loved, was short-lived. Nevertheless, the dual-motor eDrive40 variant continues to be the efficiency king within the comparability of the 2 sedans.
| Specs | BMW i3 eDrive35L | BMW i3 eDrive40L | BMW i4 eDrive40 | BMW i4 M50 |
| Size | 191.8 inches | 191.8 inches | 188.3 inches | 188.3 inches |
| Width (with out mirrors) | 72.6 inches | 72.6 inches | 72.9 inches | 72.9 inches |
| Peak | 58.3 inches | 58.3 inches | 57.2 inches | 57.2 inches |
| Wheelbase | 116.7 inches | 116.7 inches | 112.4 inches | 112.4 inches |
| Motor | Single (RWD) | Single (RWD) | Single (RWD) | Twin (AWD) |
| Energy | 282 hp | 335 hp | 335 hp | 536 hp |
| Torque | 295 lb-ft | 317 lb-ft | 317 lb-ft | 586 lb-ft |
| Battery (internet capability) | 66.1 kWh | ~80 kWh | 81.5 kWh | 81.5 kWh |
| Vary (CLTC) | 327 miles | 368 miles | 388 miles | 348 miles |
| 0-62 mph | 6.2 seconds | 5.6 seconds | 5.7 seconds | 3.9 seconds |
| Prime Velocity | 112 mph | 112 mph | 113 mph | 135 mph |
First-ever 3 Sequence to characteristic air suspension
A novelty on the BMW i3 sedan is adaptive air suspension on the rear axle. This marked a watershed second within the 3 Sequence’ 47 12 months historical past, because it’s the primary time that prospects get air suspension on a 3er, that too as an ordinary characteristic. The mannequin in query, nonetheless, is China-spec and it’s unlikely that the worldwide model would inherit this that includes through the present lifecycle or sooner or later era.
The entrance and rear suspension makes use of hydraulic rebound damping expertise and along with the adaptive rear suspension, the journey high quality over bumpy roads is reportedly extra secure. The BMW i3 sedan additionally sits 1.73 inches (44 mm) decrease than the gasoline-powered 3 Sequence. The corporate has talked about that the BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd. R&D division has tailored the componentry and fined tuned the suspension to go well with the native market. The BMW i4 will get the same set-up with adaptive rear-axle air suspension within the world market.
Value & Manufacturing
The BMW i3 eDrive35L is priced at CNY 359,900 (USD 49,811) and was launched within the Chinese language market in Could 2022. The i4 is priced extra within the native market, beginning at CNY 429,900 (USD 59,499). It’s unlikely that BMW will supply an i3 sedan in worldwide markets till the arrival of the 2026 BMW 3 Sequence, using on the BMW Neue Klasse Platform.
The i3 sedan is manufactured at BMW Group’s highest-volume manufacturing facility in China. The electrical 3 sequence is made at BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd’s Plant Lydia. Lydia is a district of the Shenyang metropolis. The BMW i4 alternatively is manufactured on the model’s 100-year-old Plant Munich in Germany, since October 2021.
Ultimate Ideas
After spending a good period of time round each German electrical sedans, I discover myself taking the i4 for its coupe-styled rear, and the extra aggressive styling. Certainly, the i3 is extra sensible when it comes to inside house, bigger home windows, and a extra snug rear seat. Nevertheless, since my major use can be for self-driving and I’d go for the dual-motor M50 variant if given a alternative, the i4 is the one I would choose between the 2.
An car engineer by coaching, I’ve analyzed the worldwide automotive market since 2005, with a eager give attention to EVs since 2008. My journey in on-line automotive publishing spans 16 years, throughout which I’ve reviewed cutting-edge automotive applied sciences and interviewed main CEOs and automobile builders from world wide.
