Excited about new BMW i3

[rhinosaur]

Am I the only one here getting super excited with the BMW i3 [details/pics/videos]? I think that BMW hit the nail in the head and that this is probably the game changer that the automotive industry was waiting for towards sustainable individual mobility, especially in mega-cities. I love it and it will most probably be my next city car (for longer trips I already have the 535d)!

[Billup]

I'm not really a fan. I think the interior is pretty sleek, but the exterior is just nasty...., its too typical of an electric vehicle on many different points. Maybe those color schemes don't do it justice, but I don't find anything appealing about how it looks. Call me crazy, but I think a Volt is much more flattering overall as an electric vehicle.

[KingOfJericho]

It's more than double the cost of a Fiat or Toyota (scion) iQ and even the Smart. It just doesn't make financial sense. Also, those thin seats don't look comfortable in the least.

[Meeni]

Why are you exited at an ugly electric minivan?

[other_evolved]

For $40,000+ USD? No thanks.

[Grovsnus]

I wonder why the i3 is so much more expensive in the US than in countries where BMWs traditionally cost twice what they do here?
Does BMW NA really think that people will go "ooh, electric" and drop down $10k extra for no good reason?

That said, I see a few problems. The range is shorter than the Nissan Leaf and Tesla. Then add the suicide doors, obese gear stalk and free standing displays that look like they'll be prone to vibration, and I'm not too sure. A tad gimmicky.
A bigger version with better range and a price that hasn't been pumped up for the US market would be nice. I can't see why they call this an i3, really. Isetta 3 would be more apt.

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by Grovsnus

Does BMW NA really think that people will go "ooh, electric" and drop down $10k extra for no good reason?

Do you mean like a Prius? Those barely sell.

[greentrbo95gst]

I think it was a nail in the coffin.

[chumley]

I just don't see that it brings anything remarkable or new to the table.

[shah269]

A car that ugly.....needs to be shot twice!

[WillC310]

Even as shitty as my Prius is, I'd still take it over the i3 for city commuting. 500 miles a tank, ~50 mpg and I'm not trying to maximize it. Even in CA where we get raped on gas, it costs me no more than $40 to get a full tank. Oh yeah, it is a 2010 w/25k miles I got from a lease takeover and I paid 16k.

[bimmerjph]

Originally Posted by chumley

I just don't see that it brings anything remarkable or new to the table.

Well I mean this is the first Carbon Fiber car that is mass produced. That being said, if that was their goal they would have been better served making a regular city car.

Other than that, nothing really. Just marketing hype.

[ShocknAwe]

Gimme a diesel anyday. Look at the rear passenger door window design, same as with the hyundai genesis coupe, looks like a chancre.

[crowgwu]

The range is shorter than the Nissan Leaf and Tesla.

[Draman]

I was reading about the i3 on Car and Driver today...how is it that a car designed from the ground up to be all electric and costing upwards of $40k will only have a range of 80-100 miles (if you're not using the A/C and you are driving like a grand mother)? This entire i series is such a waste, here's to hoping for an i8 variant with a real motor.

[ptack]

Hope BMW sees this as just a halo car and didn't bet the farm on it. If the price and range are as rumored it's got nothing going for it other than a roundel.

[CirrusSR22]

Originally Posted by chumley

I just don't see that it brings anything remarkable or new to the table.

That's how I see it. Sure the carbon fiber makes it lighter, but I was hoping that would translate into something special (range, acceleration, etc.). I'm sure it's a nice car that drives well, but I'd pick something else if I was in the market for an EV.

[remmib]

Originally Posted by rhinosaur

Am I the only one here getting super excited with the BMW i3 [details/pics/videos]? I think that BMW hit the nail in the head and that this is probably the game changer that the automotive industry was waiting for towards sustainable individual mobility, especially in mega-cities. I love it and it will most probably be my next city car (for longer trips I already have the 535d)!

Probably gonna sell very well here in Norway, because of no tax and no toll road charge. I've read that 400 of the 700 globally sold, are here in Norway.

[Efthreeoh]

Wahoo, such an engineering marvel... 4 years after the debut of the Chevy Volt.

[mex2309]

Originally Posted by rhinosaur

Am I the only one here getting super excited with the BMW i3

Yes.

[Chihuahua]

BMW may have just completely re-written the book on how passenger cars are designed and constructed. Range isn't where the revolution is with the i3, it's the design and chassis of the car. 'Range' is the 'horsepower' of this century. BMW will improve it over time. I think the horsepower wars will give way to range wars. There is absolutely no other car being produced that has a structural design even remotely resembling what BMW has just unveiled. That's where the revolution is.

Yep, the i3 is funky looking. A lot of people are calling it ugly...just like they did with the E65, E60, E66, etc. I don't think I need to remind anyone of how those cars sold, and how they've all gone down in history as being game changers in the automotive industry.

The i3 is ugly. The 745i is too complicated. The E46 is too heavy. The new E60 is ugly. The new E30 is too slow. The E36 M3 engine sucks. The M6 is too expensive. Sound familiar?

People will bash the i3 now, buy one in 2015, then call it "the best BMW of the past 10 years" in 2020.

I dig it.

[uter]

Originally Posted by rhinosaur

Am I the only one here getting super excited with the BMW i3 [details/pics/videos]? I think that BMW hit the nail in the head and that this is probably the game changer that the automotive industry was waiting for towards sustainable individual mobility, especially in mega-cities. I love it and it will most probably be my next city car (for longer trips I already have the 535d)!

I share your excitement, but regret it will be a year before the i3 is in the USA.

I see it as very cutting edge. It would serve my commuting needs very well. However, I think I'd keep my Z4 MC for fun.

If the cost really comes in at $41K for the US, the care will be reasonably priced with a federal $7,500 credit for early adopters. Hopefully, that credit won't be phased out before the i3 launches.