With beginnings stretching back to 2009 and production starting in 2013, the BMW i-Series is one of the most interesting and forward-thinking vehicle lines to ever grace American roads. Using a fully electric system or a plug-in hybrid system to power the i3 and i8 respectively, the i-Series is unlike anything else on the market, including the offerings of BMW’s European luxury car rivals. To make matters even more exciting, the BMW plans some comprehensive changes to the stellar lineup that will improve several facets of the driving and efficiency experience. Here are just a few things to get excited about in 2018 and beyond.
The Sportier i3s
If you loved everything about the all-electric 2017 BMW i3 except for the looks, it’s time to rejoice. 2018 marks the debut of the sporty i3s, which takes everything you love mechanically about the i3, but adds some new features to make it more appealing to other drivers. The basic idea is that the i3s delivers a more wholesome driving experience and more features that owners of other BMWs will enjoy.
It also gets a boost in power from the original. While the i3 still gets an impressive 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, the i3s up the ante with 184 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque. It doesn’t seem like a ton of added power, but you’ll feel it just as soon as you get behind the wheel.
Extended Range
From 2014 to 2016, the BMW i3 offered a stellar 81 mile range on a single charge, which put it in the upper reaches of the electric vehicle industry. However, recent advancements by competitors required BMW to take this range to the next level. In 2017, the German automaker boosted this range to 114 miles thanks to an extended range battery pack, but in 2018, it pushes the range even further.
Although the new range and battery pack isn’t estimated to arrive at dealerships with the first release of the 2018 i3, mid-cycle models will almost certainly get the range extender that pushes the range to around 200 miles. With this type of range, BMW shows that it can compete with the biggest players in the electric game, all while retaining its brand identity in terms of driving and features.
i Vision Dynamics
Although it probably won’t find showrooms until after 2018, the BMW i Vision Dynamics concept car revealed at the 2017 Frankfurt Auto Show is a work of art and ingenuity. Positioned between the i3 compact hatch and the i8 sports super car, this vehicle will appeal to a broader spectrum of drivers thanks to more BMW-centric looks and more driving prowess. Designed to compete with and overtake Tesla, this car will offer a range of about 375 miles, a zero to 60 of about 4 seconds, and a top speed of 120 mph.
If you’ve decided that it’s time to step into the 21st century and purchase an electric or hybrid vehicle, you won’t find a better choice than the BMW i-Series. Schedule a test drive today to see what the fuss is all about.
