07-10-2013, 07:46 AM | #23 |
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It's about the type of people that would buy this car. They need to feel and portray to others that they are sacrificing for the planet. That is why cars like this are made intentionally ugly and don't have comfort features.
They forget (or choose to ignore the fact) that the electricity used to power them is made mainly from burning fossil fuels and overall is LESS efficient than than burning it yourself in your car. The environment would be better off if you bought a Civic at half the cost. Off-topic: Despite all the BS you keep hearing there are NO sustainable energy sources that can even come close to meeting our energy needs. As of right now and the foreseeable future, when we run out of energy we are borrowing from the past such as coal, oil, natural gas, we are screwed.
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07-10-2013, 08:46 AM | #24 | |
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You forgot that he compared a Tesla to an M3... I don't mind manual seats since I'm the only one who drives my car, but they do make the car look cheaper than it is. Edit: You'd be surprised at the number of cars on the road equipped with manual seats. We drive luxury cars, and most of us have electric seats. |
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07-10-2013, 09:08 AM | #25 |
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This is actually looking better than I thought. Best pictures yet, lots of room for product evolution, project i is really happening. Damn just bought a straight 6 twin scroll, oh well, have it while it lasts!
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07-10-2013, 09:35 AM | #26 |
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these reviews are amazing - particularly the one from Top Gear, who I thought would have sh*t all over this car.
to all the haters out there - did you really, REALLY think BMW was going to screw this up? I've wanted an electric car for a while now but refused to buy some Japanese p.o.s. Thank you BMW for giving us this. It will be my second car - haters be damned. |
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07-10-2013, 09:54 AM | #27 | |||
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Personally I'm considering it. Mostly because I'll always have an older BMW as a beater, and because if it means I can go a couple of weeks (probably months) between visiting the pumps, I'll be a very happy chappy. |
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07-10-2013, 10:18 AM | #29 |
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Sorry, I didn't mean to confuse you.
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07-10-2013, 10:53 AM | #30 | |
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You just cannot do without the luxuries.
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The M850i is evidence that BMW have got their mojo back when it comes to dynamic sports cars...
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07-10-2013, 10:59 AM | #31 |
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07-10-2013, 11:28 AM | #32 |
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I have always been skeptical and hated the look of this car as of recently. (The concept looks awesome).
But with the reviews pouring in, and taking a hard look at it, i am honestly getting warm with this car, i think i really want one now. Where should i sign up? Like someone said, where is the M-Sport version LOL... I don't mind the manual seat.... My wife might not like adjusting repeatedly since we would most likely share the car... mmmm I would be ok adding this to our garage, but i dont know how i would feel if i had to trade in my F30 for this tho.... but the wife probably wont like having 3 cars....
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07-10-2013, 11:45 AM | #33 |
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I think this is a very promising car. Personally I'd be more interested in owning a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle but this is a step ahead as far as electrics go. Electric, hydrogen, natural gas, etc will all save the true petrol for us enthusiasts and allow manufacturers to continue to develop vehicles with more fuel consumption. I say yay to i3.
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07-10-2013, 11:58 AM | #34 | |
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And yes, electric seats actually would make a difference. They are incredibly heavy. I mean really, you use them a few times when you first get your car? After that its dead weight. |
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07-10-2013, 12:09 PM | #35 | |
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I think electric seats and other similar gizmos would seem very "out of place" in a car like this...makes sense to me that they left them out.
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07-10-2013, 12:14 PM | #36 |
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Don't worry about what they say. The fact that someone tried to compare the Tesla Model S to an M3 while also lamenting the fact that a tiny car which must fit 4-5 people and cargo like the i3 doesn't look as sleek and sexy as a huge 5/7 series size vehicle like the Model S is proof of that.. And while I'm on the subject of the Model S, it may look great but one of the sacrifices they had to make to achieve that sexy form is rear-seat headroom. At 6'3" I can't fit in the rear seat at all unless the Model S has the optional glass moonroof which extends headroom, I didn't have this problem in our F10 5 series or even the E60 5 series. Judging by the i3's proportions, I will probably be able to fit in it no problem.
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07-10-2013, 01:04 PM | #37 | |
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For example and among other things you'd except from a pricey car, I think a lot of us M[likely 3] owners would prefer manual seats for weight savings because it's an ideal characteristic given the goal of the car, and not the fact that we spent a lot of money. |
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07-10-2013, 01:15 PM | #38 |
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07-10-2013, 01:38 PM | #39 | ||
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07-10-2013, 01:40 PM | #40 |
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AUTOEXPRESS (UK)
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/i3/...w-i3-prototype We drive a pre-production version of the new BMW i3 electric car to see if it’s as good to drive as a BMW should be Verdict The BMW i3 is a very impressive car to drive and a marvel of modern engineering, and we hope it will be a success. However, that will depend on how quickly BMW can install the necessary infrastructure to support it and how much it is going to cost. Also, we think most buyers will pick the forthcoming range-extender hybrid, at least initially, over the pure battery-electric model tested here. If battery-electric cars really are the future, BMW is taking its first brave steps towards a cleaner tomorrow with its ‘i’ brand – and taking centre stage will be this, the i3 ‘megacity’ car. BMW invited Auto Express to an airbase outside Munich to drive a late pre-production example of the i3 to see if BMW’s new baby gets off to a flying start. Much has already been written and discussed about the i3’s single-minded focus on weight reduction and its cutting-edge technology, so this was an early opportunity to see how BMW’s green i-theory translates on the road. Although our test car was wearing light disguise, the final production shape of the i3 was clearly visible. A mix of angular creases and suitably futuristic swoops, it’s a pleasing, chunky vehicle, although historic BMW design language is harder to spot. The Hofmeister kink is absent and, if it wasn’t for some false kidney ‘grilles’ at the front reminding you it’s a BMW, it’s vaguely reminiscent of an Audi A2. Overall, though, it is pleasing on the eye; the large 19-inch alloys on skinny 155/70 tyres at each corner are a nice touch, and help reduce the slab-sidedness of the car. Inside will be familiar to anyone who has driven a current BMW, with clean, simple switchgear and a well thought-out dash. Although the cabin of our car was not the finished article, the production i3 will feature a column-mounted drive selector for the single reduction gear attached to the motor and a digital display screen behind the steering wheel to show the remaining range – BMW quotes 80-100 miles as the ‘typical’ range of the i3 – and current power usage. But how does it drive? BMW is targeting final production specs of 250Nm, 125kW (around 168bhp) and a kerb weight of less than 1,200kg. And, judging by these near-ready pre-production machines, the i3 is going to be a hugely fun way to go green. BMW’s test course involved slaloms, high-speed corners, rapid direction changes and a super-tight hairpin to fully showcase the i3’s all-round manoeuvrability. It is unlikely prospective owners will ever subject their cars to such rigorous driving but they can be safe in the knowledge that the i3 really does drive like a BMW should. The steering is incredibly direct and weights up with speed, although it is devoid of true feel and very light around dead centre. However, there’s enough information coming back from the skinny front tyres to ensure you can drive enthusiastically with confidence. The i3 has a low centre of gravity, thanks to the lithium-ion battery pack being laid between the axles in the bottom of the chassis, and you can feel it in the composed way it enacts quick changes of direction; despite being a high-sided car, it never feels top-heavy. There is understeer dialled in for safety but there’s plenty of grip from the rear-wheel drive chassis. Naturally, the instant torque of the e-motor means acceleration at all speeds is impressive. Depending on which of the three modes you choose – Comfort, ECO PRO or ECO PRO+ – the top speed is limited to either 93mph, 75mph or 56mph respectively. But, as a safety feature, full throttle in all modes acts almost like an overboost function on a turbocharged car to give maximum urge to avoid dangerous situations. Like all electric cars, the i3 is eerily silent no matter how hard you drive it, with just a faint whirr in the background. Yet it pulls to 60mph very keenly, maintaining that ultra-smooth power delivery at all times. It rides nicely too – there’s plenty of compliance in the assured suspension – and the brakes are without reproach, so city driving should be comfortable. Overall, the i3 is extremely impressive and lives up to BMW’s billing of being fun to drive. It is much more entertaining than a green car has any right to be, but whether it will win the hearts of the buying public depends a lot on how much it will cost when prices are finally revealed. |
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07-10-2013, 02:01 PM | #42 | |
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please dont compare apples to oranges. i'm stating the fact that the i3, as a mega city vehicle that BMW advertised, doesn't have powered seats. would you race the i3 on a track with M3 GTS? if not, why cant it have powered seats? |
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07-10-2013, 02:14 PM | #43 | ||
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Seems BMW have suceeded on making both a good car, and a good EV, with the reviews generally praising the dynamics, it seems they've made something that is still a good BMW. It'll serve certain demographics better than others, but in that respect it's no different to most of BMWs range. |
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07-10-2013, 02:54 PM | #44 |
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This is the kind of person that BMW needs to convince with the i lineup. I have to say, I'm really intrigued, if only for the fact that they seem to have kept the ultra-modern interior intact.
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