2013 BMW i3 22 kWh (170 HP)

Vehicle Overview

When BMW introduced the i3 on the market in 2013, it sent a shockwave in the premium segment, and it was a clear sign that the carmaker would join the electric revolution.

With its minivan shape and short external dimensions, the i3 made the carmaker’s fans split between those who loved it and those who hated it. Yet, the car’s size was an important advantage for city usage. Its front was short, and even if it sported the same kidney grille that was no longer used to cool an engine behind it.

The car’s headlights were swept back on the sides but still featured the same signature DRL with “Corona lights.” One of the most unusual features of the car was the doors. When opened, there was no B-pillar. The rear ones were shorter and rear-hinged, easing the ingress and egress. At the back, the tailgate sported high-mounted taillights, protected from bumps in the parking lot.

The interior was even more unusual, with a pair of screens: one TFT for the instrument cluster and a second one for the infotainment system. To create a premium feel while still keeping track of the environmentally-friendly materials, BMW used only naturally-treated leather, wool, wood, and recycled materials for the cabin.

But the biggest revolution was for the drivetrain. BMW designed the car as an EV right from the start. Thus, it created a platform that integrated the battery pack. Even though it was a rear-wheel drive vehicle like most of the other BMWs, it featured a rear-mounted motor placed under the trunk’s floor. For those who feared the electric-only autonomy, the carmaker added a two-cylinder internal-combustion engine that served as a power generator and could replenish the batteries. For the EV-only versions, the carmaker offered a choice of two battery packs, which gave the 170 hp vehicle a range of up to 180 km (112 miles). At the same time, the version fitted with a range extender could travel up to 300 km (186 miles).