BMW i3 Now More Powerful with Better Battery Capacity

In a goal to keep up with the increasing number of electric cars and range extender hybrids on the market, BMW has updated its ultra-sporty i3. With enhancements in battery technology, the model lineup has grown to include a 33 kWh battery version delivering 5 percent more range than the current car.

The car’s increased range comes courtesy of enhancements in battery technology. Though the new battery has the same size as the 21.8 kWh unit in the current 60 Ah car, the more power-dense 33 kWh battery in the new 94 Ah model enables the range to grow from 190 km (118 mi) to 300 km (186 mi) on the New European Drive Cycle.

Perchance more remarkable than the enhanced test-cycle results are BMW’s claims concerning real-world performance. In a stark reminder concerning how different the daily commute looks to a test cycle, BMW claims the update will provide owners with a 200 km (124 mi) range in normal driving conditions.

This suggests that irrespective of how hard you are driving, the how loud the music plays or how high the heating is set, you must still be able to cover the distance between two cities without worrying about the range.

Acceleration figures from the 125 kW (170 hp) electric motor are unchanged, which means the updates i3 will make it to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7.3 seconds.

For drivers who are still concerned about range after the update, BMW will continue to provide a range extender version of the car. The beauty of the i3 is that it is equipped with a little two-cylinder petrol engine that adds another 150 km (93 mi) to the range—sufficient to enable a 33kWh i3 fitted with the range-extender option to cover 450 km (280 mi) in best conditions.

Also included in the update is the option for a more powerful home-garage charger.

Like Tesla Model S owners, early birds to the i3 party can get a chance to have the new batteries retrofitted. BMW says that the 60 Ah model will continue to be sold alongside the new 94 Ah model, though pricing details have not been disclosed yet.