A Neue Era
BMW has invested heavily in the Neue Klasse cars. It all started with the iX3, and it’s being followed through by the i3. These cars have set the blueprint for what we can expect from Munich in the coming years, and even cars that don’t utilize the platform are getting tech from its electric stablemates.
But the Neue Klasse cars didn’t just signal a new design language for the brand; rather, the tech in these will be rolled out to more models down the line. What we’re witnessing is a bit of a repeat of the Bangle era, but cranked up to 11.
BMW
Bold Range Claims
The BMW i3 made its world premiere a few months ago, and it’s been making all the right noises. Demand has been so high that the company had to open the order books early, and it looks like it’ll be a hit for BMW. But what makes the i3 attractive is its range, or at least the claimed range.
In European testing methods, the i3 can travel up to 559 miles on a single charge. Meanwhile, EPA estimates rate the electric sedan at 440 miles per full charge. By building an EV with range that rivals combustion-powered vehicles, BMW made a battery-powered vehicle that’s worth considering.
BMW
Meanwhile, in China
China has its own version of the i3, as that market prefers its cars stretched. The i3 50L debuted not long after the global version, and BMW also builds it there. More recently, the first China-produced i3s have rolled out, and BMW has an even bolder claim for it.
BMW China announced that it recently tested one of its cars, and it traveled 1,213 ‘real-world’ kilometers. In imperial units, that’s 753.7 miles on a full charge, far more than the claim in Germany. BMW China says the car was driven through a wide variety of conditions, from highways, city streets, provincial roads, and more. It adds that the car made it to its destination with 1% charge left.
Granted, that was an extreme test, and we probably would start looking for a charger once it hits 20%. That said, it’s an impressive feat, and we’ve come a long way in electric mobility. There is a bit of a disclaimer, though, as the Chinese i3 has a different battery composition from the rest of the world. Still, the i3’s range is nothing to sneeze at, and it will be interesting to see if it can do at least 400 miles once owners have it.
BMW
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