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Battery boost for BMW’s electric i3

BMW’s i3 and i3s are getting a larger battery cell capacity and an increased range. Doubling in size, the new battery now has a capacity of 120Ah and a gross energy content of 42.2kWh. The introduction of the new battery also brings a new exterior colour and a new colour for the optional interior world ‘Loft’ as well as optional Adaptive LED headlights featuring anti-dazzle functionality. Optional telephony with wireless charging and wireless LAN hotspot will also be available for the BMW i3 and BMW i3s.

Designed and developed independently by the BMW Group as an integral part of the eDrive technology, the batteries within the i3 and i3s are installed deep in the floor. The lithium-ion high performance cells are combined with a cooling system that constantly keeps the battery at optimum operating temperature, thus increasing output and service life. The latest range of high-voltage batteries on the new BMW i3 and i3s have increased in capacity without any increase in size.

In real terms, this enables the BMW and the BMW i3s to achieve a significantly further enhanced all-electric range. The official range of the BMW i3 is 223 miles (previously 180 to 186 miles) according to NEDC. For the BMW i3s, a range of 214 miles (previously 174 miles) according to NEDC. This means 192 miles of driving range according to WLTP.

BMW says that during everyday use, the two models are now able to cover a distance of 160 miles – an increase of almost 30 per cent from the previous 94Ah models. The combined power consumption of the BMW i3 is 13.1kWh per 62 miles, while the BMW i3s has a power consumption of 14.6kWh per 62 miles.

The company also says that consistent further development of its eDrive technology has improved the performance of both BMW i3 and i3s. The BMW i3, powered by a 168 bhp electric motor, completes zero to 62mph benchmark in 7.3 seconds, while the BMW i3s with its 181 bhp power completes the standard sprint in 6.9 seconds.

Model Power
(bhp)
Torque (ft lb) 0 – 62mph
(Seconds)
Top
Speed
(mph)
CO2
Emissions
(g/km)

NEDC
electric
range
(miles)

£
from
(OTR)
BMW i3 168 184 7.3 93 0 223
(192
WLTP)
£35,180
BMW i3s 181 199 6.9 99 0 214
(177
WLTP)
£37,670

 

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