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BMW i3

Euro · BMW

BMW i3: The carbon-fiber city EV (2013-2022). Quirky, efficient, with an optional range-extender.
Photo: Frank Schulenburg / Wikimedia Commons · CC0

The carbon-fiber city EV (2013-2022). Quirky, efficient, with an optional range-extender.

The BMW i3 was a pioneering electric city car built on a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic passenger cell, an unusual and advanced construction for a mass-market EV. Produced from 2013 to 2022, it offered a distinctive tall, narrow body, rear-hinged coach doors, and a sustainable interior. Early cars had modest range, improved over time, and a range-extender (REx) version added a small gas engine as a generator to ease range anxiety. The sporty i3s added more power and a wider track. The i3 was a forward-thinking, polarizing design that aged into a cult favorite. On WhipJury, the i3 appears as a quirky, distinctive electric submission.

i3 specifications

Rear-mounted electric motor, carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic body. Battery-electric or range-extender (REx) with a small gas generator. Sporty i3s variant with more power. Produced 2013-2022.

i3 on WhipJury

A cult EV, valued for its carbon construction and distinctive design.

Frequently asked questions about BMW i3

What is special about the i3 construction?
It uses a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic passenger cell, an advanced lightweight construction rare in a mass-market car, paired with an aluminum chassis.
What is the i3 REx?
The range-extender version, which adds a small gasoline engine acting as a generator to charge the battery and extend range, easing range anxiety.
Is the i3 rear-wheel drive?
Yes, the i3 has a rear-mounted motor driving the rear wheels, giving it a nimble, city-friendly character.
Is the i3 reliable?
Generally yes for the electric drivetrain. The REx range-extender engine adds complexity; battery range on early cars is modest by modern standards.
What is the i3s?
A sportier i3 with more power, a wider track, and firmer suspension, giving the city EV a more spirited character.

More on the BMW i3

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BMW shows the electric M3 in a thin M wrap as it builds its millionth M car

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The next BMW 3 Series has been spotted without camouflage

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