[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Well, have you actually gone and test driven a Volt? I have. I test drove it on back-country roads around Orange Virginia, and hammered it really hard. I've been driving a 3-Series as a daily driver for 25+ years and I can tell you the Volt is quite impressive. Now at 9/10ths it may not feedback like a BMW 3 Series (from what I hear nor does the F30), but it's not bad; and like the i3 it’s not meant to be near-lux sports sedan anyway. You are assuming that the i3, because it has a Roundel on the hood, it axiomatically handles well, and that because the Volt has a Bow-Tie on the grill it’s over-promised and under-delivered (which it is not). The Volt delivers on the EPA rated electric-only range and in the gas-mode range (unlike recent hybrids) too. The build quality of the Volt is very very good.

Actually, no I have yet to drive a Volt. I have considered buying one though, and part of that would of course entail driving one. I have not however read anything to make me think it's very good though. My premise of i3 vs Volt is simply based on rwd being better than fwd and a low 7 second 0-60 being better than mid 9's.

Used Volt pricing is pretty tempting and expected lease deals on an i3 will also make it a very likely candidate for me. I have a short commute and no gas/diesel motor get up to temp on that drive, so a electric car with a range extender would be nearly ideal for my circumstances. Long term, a Tesla with the full support of the Supercharger network could work, but since neither GM or BMW seem to be onboard with that, I'll likely just buy or lease a Volt or an i3 to get to where there's a cheaper Tesla offered.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by Red Bread

Actually, no I have yet to drive a Volt. I have considered buying one though, and part of that would of course entail driving one. I have not however read anything to make me think it's very good though. My premise of i3 vs Volt is simply based on rwd being better than fwd and a low 7 second 0-60 being better than mid 9's.

Used Volt pricing is pretty tempting and expected lease deals on an i3 will also make it a very likely candidate for me. I have a short commute and no gas/diesel motor get up to temp on that drive, so a electric car with a range extender would be nearly ideal for my circumstances. Long term, a Tesla with the full support of the Supercharger network could work, but since neither GM or BMW seem to be onboard with that, I'll likely just buy or lease a Volt or an i3 to get to where there's a cheaper Tesla offered.

Do yourself a favor and go drive the Volt. The Leaf is a mid 10-second car the Volt is 9.2 sec IIRC. If a 2-second difference to 60 (between the i3 and the Volt) makes your decision for you then your not really looking for fuel efficency in the first place.

The Tesla supercharger network is pie in the sky to me. Would you really wait 45 minutes to fill up the battery for another 200 mile of range on a long trip? I wouldn't. And what happens when all the charging stations are full with other Teslas filling up too? At a gas station when all the pumps are occupied, your wait is a few minutes at most, or you go down the street to another station

[Greenkirby21]

Originally Posted by Greenkirby21

Did you see Classic BMW has the i3? I think this is the first time I have seen it in north america...

My dad saw it this morning :O. I went after work just now but I didn't see it. Id did see the new infinity Q50. I thought it was a hyundai genesis coupe at first.

The dealership was cleaning up for some special event they are having tonight, my guess is they will have the i3 on display. I got invited to the event (RSVP only) but I can't go :\. Got a final exam tomorrow. My parents are going so I asked them to take lots and lots of pictures.

I just noticed this has the US spec side reflectors : )

[Efthreeoh]

I finally figured out the issue with the design - no Hoffmeister Kink

[uter]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I finally figured out the issue with the design - no Hoffmeister Kink

I think it's been well covered in the media that it's not supposed to.
Here's a recent account of the design principles.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by uter

I think it's been well covered in the media that it's not supposed to.
Here's a recent account of the design principles.

I was really joking to be honest, but thanks for the article.

[uter]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I was really joking to be honest, but thanks for the article.

Glad to see you were kidding. My initial reply to the Hoffmeister kink statment was going to be much more snarky.

I think the design makes a lot of sense.

For spatial comparison, I'd like to see a side-by-side photo set of the MINI Cooper and the i3.

[tommolog]

Originally Posted by uter

Glad to see you were kidding. My initial reply to the Hoffmeister kink statment was going to be much more snarky.

I think the design makes a lot of sense.

For spatial comparison, I'd like to see a side-by-side photo set of the MINI Cooper and the i3.

The i3 actually is a lot closer in size to a MINI Countryman.
Countryman ------ i3
Length:161.8" --- 157.4"
Width: 70.4" ----- 69.9"
Height: 61.5" ---- 62.1"

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

I finally figured out the issue with the design - no Hoffmeister Kink

There is actually a hoffmeister on the car but it shows a very different interpretation of what is the norm.
When the rear window cuts down and forms that hoffmeister kink edge in the actual body which is also mirrored above to form the glasshouse on the C Pillar. Its a little nod to the future but retains that design element.

[uter]

Originally Posted by tommolog

The i3 actually is a lot closer in size to a MINI Countryman.
Countryman ------ i3
Length:161.8" --- 157.4"
Width: 70.4" ----- 69.9"
Height: 61.5" ---- 62.1"

Thanks! That's very interesting.
Can't wait to see it in person.

[2Barry]

I assume that the REX with a fuel tanks under 3 gallons is not meant to head out on a 400 mile trip?

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

There is actually a hoffmeister on the car but it shows a very different interpretation of what is the norm.
When the rear window cuts down and forms that hoffmeister kink edge in the actual body which is also mirrored above to form the glasshouse on the C Pillar. Its a little nod to the future but retains that design element.

Not seeing the kink anywhere on the car. Sorry.

[stressdoc]

Range is an issue for me if this is my sole car. Prefer a diesel/electric hybrid, with more room. But what a fantastic vehicle for places like San Francisco!

[eHelmholtz]

I've been following in the i3 development for a while now and I wish that the numbers were better. By all accounts, it doesn't even match my Rav4 EV :-( Hopefully, the driving feel will still be quintessential BMW.

[eHelmholtz]

Originally Posted by Efthreeoh

Well, have you actually gone and test driven a Volt? I have. I test drove it on back-country roads around Orange Virginia, and hammered it really hard. I've been driving a 3-Series as a daily driver for 25+ years and I can tell you the Volt is quite impressive. Now at 9/10ths it may not feedback like a BMW 3 Series (from what I hear nor does the F30), but it's not bad; and like the i3 it’s not meant to be near-lux sports sedan anyway. You are assuming that the i3, because it has a Roundel on the hood, it axiomatically handles well, and that because the Volt has a Bow-Tie on the grill it’s over-promised and under-delivered (which it is not). The Volt delivers on the EPA rated electric-only range and in the gas-mode range too (unlike some recent hybrids). The build quality of the Volt is very very good. I can't see where the Volt and the i3 are not in the exact same class of car: Extended-range Battery Electric.

I agree with the above; the Volt is quite a bit of fun to drive especially after you switch out the stock tires with stickier Michelin tires. Sure, it's a different driving experience compared to my E85, then again the 2 cars are meant for different purposes for me. My hope is that the i3 compares well against the Volt.

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by eHelmholtz

I've been following in the i3 development for a while now and I wish that the numbers were better. By all accounts, it doesn't even match my Rav4 EV :-( Hopefully, the driving feel will still be quintessential BMW.

Good luck with that. The F30 doesn't even feel like a BMW and it has a engine, trans, and real brakes...

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by eHelmholtz

I agree with the above; the Volt is quite a bit of fun to drive especially after you switch out the stock tires with stickier Michelin tires. Sure, it's a different driving experience compared to my E85, then again the 2 cars are meant for different purposes for me. My hope is that the i3 compares well against the Volt.

I was amazed at the level of grip the stock tires provide.

[SCOTT26]

One last adjustment before bed - New baby has a big day tomorrow , every color is on display in the IAA. The i8 is behind closed doors for now.

[lasovan]

Is the i3 a game changer?

A very interesting article about the i3 from AUTOCAR. From the streets of Frankfurt.


quote from the article: "I liked and continue to admire cars like the Leaf and Ampera, but always from afar. The difference is I actually want an i3"

http://www.autocar.co.uk/blogs/frank...boola-internal

[Touring]

just a fun fact about electric cars. tesla s is now the best selling car in Norway with a marked share of over 6% so far in September. Scott, please make sure bmw can deliver enough so i3 can become the number one, ok? :-)

[Jason]

Added new videos to official thread (first post) - showing BMW i Remote App, connectivity/infotainment, and others.

[3s-a-charm]

I've been trying to figure this out... it looks like the i3 is only RWD - is there any power going to the front wheels? Thinking if this would be a good all-weather car or summer only?