BMW Adds Sport Model of i3 Electric City Car

BMW AG is adding a sport version of its i3 electric city car that sports a more aggressive fascia, slightly lower and wider track and more powerful motor.

The updated standard i3 also sports styling tweaks to make it look wider and more muscular. Revisions include new fascia and rear panels, bolder scoops below the front bumper and a horizontal chrome trim across the rear. Both models will be unveiled publicly next month at the Frankfurt auto show.

The standard i3 powertrain delivers 125 kW (170 hp), 25o Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque and a range of about 185 miles (300 km) on Europe’s NEDC driving cycle.

The standard i3 can scoot from zero to 100 kph in 7.3 seconds on its way to an electronically limited top speed of 150 kph (93 mph).

The powertrain in the sportier new i3s model makes 184 hp (135 kW) and 199 lb-ft (270 Nm) of torque. BMW says power and torque at high speeds are as much as 40% greater than in the base model. The i3s can reach 100 kph in 6.9 seconds and has a top speed of 160 kph (99 mph). Its range is 174 miles (280 km) per charge.

Both cars are available with an optional piston-powered generator. The 38-hp (28-kW) onboard system adds about 93 miles (150 km) of driving range by recharging the lithium-ion batteries on the fly.

The i3s comes with a track that is 1.6 inches (40 mm) wider than the standard model. Optional 20-inch wheels are 0.8 inches (20 mm) wider than any wheel available previously. The sportier model also sits 0.4 inches (10 mm) lower than the standard i3.

Available driver aid features include reverse camera, automatic parallel parking, active cruise control with stop-and-go capabilities, lane-keeping, pedestrian monitoring and automatic emergency braking.