Munich. Consistent further development of BMW eDrive
technology once again ensures enhanced driving pleasure in the purely
electrically powered models of the BMW i brand. With cell capacity
increased to 120 ampere hours (Ah) and a gross energy content of 42.2
kilowatt hours (kWh), a new generation of high-voltage batteries
enables the BMW i3 (120 Ah) (combined power consumption:
13.1 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km)* and the
BMW i3s (120 Ah) (combined power consumption: 14.6 – 14.0 kWh/100 km;
combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km)* to achieve a significantly
further enhanced range as of November 2018. In everyday use, the two
models are now able to cover a distance of 260 kilometres*** – an
increase of almost 30 per cent.
In this way, BMW i is consolidating its position as an innovation
leader and trendsetter in the field of pioneering electromobility with
hallmark brand driving pleasure and excellent everyday practicality.
Since the market launch of the BMW i3, the storage capacity of its
high-voltage battery has been doubled, thereby increasing the car’s
range as well. At the same time as the introduction of the new
battery, a new body finish, a new colour for the optional interior
design Loft and adaptive LED headlights with matrix function for the
high beam are also available for the BMW i3 and BMW i3s. In future, a
sports package will be available for the BMW i3 that includes black
wheel arch surrounds and a sports suspension with specific dampers,
springs and stabilisers, lowered suspension, a widened track and
20-inch light alloy wheels. The optimised guidance system in the tile
design of the iDrive operating system is now available in conjunction
with the optional navigation system Business. In future, the options
telephony with wireless charging and wireless LAN hotspot will also be
available for the BMW i3 and BMW i3s.
Ongoing progress in battery development: increased energy
content while dimensions remain the same.
Like the electric motors and power electronics, the high-voltage
batteries are an integral part of the BMW eDrive technology used in
BMW i automobiles and developed independently by the BMW Group. Its
lithium-ion cells are produced exclusively based on specifications
defined by the BMW Group. Based on sound research and development work
conducted in close cooperation with the manufacturer of the battery
cells, consistent optimisation of the storage units is achieved in
terms of power output, range, safety and durability. Installed deep in
the floor of the vehicle, the high-voltage battery is produced at the
BMW plant in Dingolfing and consists of eight modules, each with
twelve storage cells: the latest advancements have resulted in a
capacity of 120 Ah along with a gross energy content of 42.2 kWh –
while the size remains unchanged. This is yet another major step
towards increased range. For comparison: at the market launch of the
BMW i3 in 2013, the equivalent figures were 60 Ah and 22.6 kWh, while
the second-generation battery introduced in 2016 reaches a level of
94 Ah and 33 kWh.
In addition to vehicle weight and the installation space taken up by
the high-voltage battery, driving performance and energy consumption
likewise remain virtually unaltered by the increased range achieved by
the latest advancements. The BMW i3, powered by a 125 kW/170 hp
electric motor, accelerates in 7.3 seconds from zero to 100 km/h,
while the BMW i3s with 135 kW/184 hp completes the standard sprint in
6.9 seconds. This means that the two models both set the benchmark for
sporty performance within their vehicle segment. Thanks to spontaneous
power delivery as is typical of electric motors, the BMW i3 and BMW
i3s even reach the level of sports cars that have a considerably more
powerful combustion engine: here the figures are 5.1 and 4.3 seconds
respectively for the sprint from 80 to 120 km/h.
The combined power consumption of the BMW i3 (120 Ah) is 13.1 kWh per
100 kilometres*, while the BMW i3s (120 Ah) has a power consumption of
14.6 kWh to 14.0 kWh per 100 kilometres*. The high efficiency of the
electric motor and the enhanced battery capacity result in a range
that is nearly 30 per cent higher than that of the predecessor models.
The range of the BMW i3 (120 Ah) is 359 kilometres* (previously 290 to
300 km) according to NEDC, and 285 to 310 kilometres** (previously
235 – 255 km) according to WLTP. For the BMW i3s (120 Ah), a range of
330 to 345 kilometres* (previously 280 km) has been calculated
according to NEDC, and a range of 270 to 285 kilometres** (previously
235 –245 km) according to WLTP. In everyday conditions, both models
now achieve a range of 260 kilometres*** (previously 200 km).
The high-quality charging electronics of the BMW i3 and BMW i3s
allows fast and flexible refreshment of the energy reserves. The
standard charging cable is designed to be plugged into a conventional
household socket. Here the battery can be charged to up to 80 per cent
of its full power in approximately 15 hours with a charging capacity
of 2.4 kW. Connection to the BMW i Wallbox enables rapid three-phase
charging with a capacity of 11 kW. Here the time required to achieve
an 80 per cent charge of the large-capacity high-voltage battery is
3.2 hours. The power electronics and high-voltage battery in the BMW
i3 and BMW i3s can also be used in conjunction with quick-charging
stations that run on DC power. Here the charging capacity is 50 kW and
the high-voltage battery reaches 80 per cent of its total power in
just 42 minutes.
With its battery capacity increased to 42.2 kWh, the latest version
of the BMW i3 also follows the brand’s holistic concept, applicable
since market launch and geared towards responsible use of resources:
this includes not just locally emissions-free power but also material
selection and production techniques as well as mobility services. The
BMW i3 (120 Ah) and the BMW i3s (120 Ah) have a much more favourable
CO2 footprint across the entire vehicle lifecycle – from
raw material extraction and manufacture through to use and recycling –
and this makes for significantly lower global warming potential than
is the case with comparable, conventionally powered automobiles.
Sports package as a new option for the BMW i3.
In future, the new sports package will enable additional emphasis of
brand-based driving pleasure derived from locally emissions-free
mobility in the BMW i3. The key element of the new option is the
sports suspension, which is a standard feature in the BMW i3s and
includes specific dampers, springs and stabilisers, a suspension
lowered by 10 millimetres, a widened track and 20-inch light alloy
wheels in Jet Black or Bicolor finish with mixed tyres. This increase
in driving dynamics is visually underscored by means of black wheel
arch surrounds, which also form part of the BMW i sports package.
New body finishes, adaptive LED headlights, optimised controls
and connectivity.
Since 2014 the BMW i3 has been the world’s best-selling electrically
powered vehicle in the premium compact segment. On the streets of
urban conurbations it has come to stand as a symbol of pioneering
mobility. Its characteristic shaping is closely linked to the
LifeDrive vehicle architecture, which combines an aluminium chassis
with a passenger cell made carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP).
With the introduction of the new battery generation, the design of the
BMW i3 and the BMW i3s has been enriched with fresh accentuations. The
choice of body finish for the two models has been extended to include
the new variant Jucaro Beige metallic with accentuations in Frozen
Grey. Meanwhile the exterior paint finishes Mineral Grey metallic,
Imperial Blue metallic, Melbourne Red metallic, Capparis White and
Fluid Black are still available. To match the new body finish, the
optional interior design Loft now includes upholstery in the
fabric/Sensatec combination “Electronic” – in Carum Grey
with accentuations in brown and interior surfaces in Electronic Brown.
As an alternative to the standard LED headlights, adaptive LED
headlights are now available with an automatic, selective dip function
for the high beam. The innovative matrix technology for the high beam
increases visibility range while at the same avoiding any dazzle
effect on other road users. For this purpose it is divided into four
horizontally arranged segments which can be activated and deactivated
independently of each other at speeds of over 70 km/h. The high beam
segments are controlled based on the traffic situation. As soon as the
front camera registers an oncoming vehicle or a vehicle travelling
ahead in the same direction, the space in which this vehicle is
located is illuminated using the low beam only. This is effected by
deactivation of the matrix high beam segments that are responsible for
this area. The remaining areas of the road continue to be illuminated
by the high beam. Adaptive LED headlight functions also include the
cornering light and the high beam assistant.
The optimised menu display for the iDrive operating system with
buttons in tile structure and in live mode is now also available in
conjunction with the optional navigation system Business. This means
that the desired content is now available even more quickly and
conveniently. What is more, the program of optional equipment items
now also includes the option of telephony with wireless charging,
which allows compatible mobile phones to be recharged without use of a
cable. The wireless LAN hotspot, likewise newly available for the BMW
i3 and the BMW i3s, provides a fast online connection for up to ten
end devices inside the vehicle.
The figures for
fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and power consumption are
calculated based on the measurement methods stipulated in
the current version of Regulation (EU) 2007/715. This
information is based on a vehicle with basic equipment in
Germany; ranges take into account differences in wheel and
tyre size selected as well as optional equipment.
* Power consumption, emissions figures and ranges are
calculated based on the new WLTP test cycle and adapted to
NEDC for comparison purposes, dependent on the tyre format
selected.In these vehicles, different figures than those
published here may apply for the assessment of taxes and
other vehicle-related duties which are (also) based on
CO2-emissions. These figures are provisional.
** Ranges based on the WLTP test cycle, dependent on the
tyre format selected. In these vehicles, different figures
than those published here may apply for the assessment of
taxes and other vehicle-related duties which are (also)
based on CO2-emissions. These figures are provisional.
*** Figures based on BMW range measurements in everyday
driving using a city driving profile, 20°C outdoor
temperature, heating/air conditioning, pre-conditioning,
COMFORT drive mode. Range depends on various factors, in
particular: driving style, route characteristics, outdoor
temperature, pre-conditioning.
For further details of the official fuel consumption
figures and official specific CO2 emissions of
new cars, please refer to the “Manual on fuel
consumption, CO2 emissions and power consumption
of new cars”, available at sales outlets, from Deutsche
Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT), Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760
Ostfildern-Scharnhausen and at http://www.dat.de/angebote/verlagsprodukte/leitfaden-kraftstoffverbrauch.html.