BMW I3 Will Start at €34,950 in November

BMWBMWGermany, 1918 > present87 models
8471 photos
43 videos
has finally revealed the official price for its i3BMW i3Germany, 2014 > present electric car. Prices will start at €34,950 in Germany, which includes 19% VAT, when sales begin in November. The production version will be shown to the public for the first time at simultaneous events in London, New York and Beijing on July 29. 

“The BMW i3 heralds the dawn of a new era for individual mobility and for the BMW Group.

"With this leading-edge vehicle and attractive price, we will provide customers with a compelling offer for electromobility," said BMW head of sales and marketing Ian Robertson. 

Where possible, BMW will sell the i3 directly to buyers online, and there will be a mobile sales force in some countries that take the car buying process out of the showroom. Authorized dealers will also be selling the cars.

The i3 is powered by a single, rear-mounted electric motor that produces 168hp and 184lb-ft of torque. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at 22kWh of energy capacity. A single-speed transmission sends the power to the rear wheels. The five-link rear suspension is bolted to the drive unit for added rigidity. Even with the rear-mounted motor, it maintains a 50:50 weight distribution.

There will also be an optional range extender in the form of a 650cc two-cylinder petrol engine with 34hp that acts as a generator to charge the batteries when power is running out. BMW has not said how much this option will add to the car’s price, but it says that it will add about 100km to its total range.

BMW claims that the production i3 will hit 100km/h in 7.2 seconds with a top speed of 150km/h. In the EU cycle, the car has been certified to have a range of 190km, but BMW says that this will vary depending on driving mode. In Comfort Mode, BMW estimates a range of 130km to 160km. In ECO PRO+ Mode, BMW estimates a range of 200km. With the optional range extender and Comfort Mode, the range rises to 300km.

Charging to 80% takes 30 minutes from a quick charger, but a standard home outlet will take 8 hours to fully charge the i3. The fast charger will be offered to interested buyers.