This Is Why You Should Buy A 2018 BMW i3s

2022-07-29 20:16:32 By : Mr. Jason Wang

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The i3s is a sportier take on the standard BMW i3, and the 2018 model offers an increased output of 184 hp.

Electric cars are no longer just used to transport milk. With ever-expanding driving ranges, they are now genuinely quick, comfortable, and fit into more lives than ever.

However, there are still few vehicles that provide sufficiently engaging handling, particularly at a lower price point. This is what the 2018 BMW i3s aimed to change.

One of the most cutting-edge vehicles on the road right now is undoubtedly the BMW i3s. Even though it's in its fifth model year, that remains the case. BMW was the first to use carbon fiber as the main structural component of a production car in order to save weight.

The i3's relatively modest weight for a battery-electric vehicle helped it to be nimble and accelerate quickly, and it paid off. It will take some time for other manufacturers to catch up to BMW in terms of material selection.

So why is the 2018 BMW i3s a good pick for you?

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The BMW i3s accelerates past 60 mph in 6.8 seconds on its route to a top speed of 100 mph. The 2018 BMW i3s offers a sportier interpretation of quiet mobility, despite lacking a range extender, with a 184 horsepower electric motor producing up to 199 lb-ft of torque.

The automobile is incredibly pleasurable to drive, with a sporty character in terms of handling and acceleration. Its rapid power off the line is really enticing, and the handling provides the i3s with an excellent level of agility. The ride is stiff over rough road surfaces but smooths out over nicer roads. Sport mode on the i3s is pleasant, though not the most efficient.

The interior of the i3s almost looks concept car-like. The brutally simple dash's exposed earthy materials and carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic surfaces give it an airy feel that provides a relaxing driving experience.

The sensation of space in the cabin is further enhanced by this airiness. The elevated seating position and abundant headroom and legroom up front make it simple to forget you're operating an all-electric hatchback. The seats themselves are really cozy and offer a lot of support.

The high-quality cloth chairs are comfortable, and if it weren't for the i3's restricted driving range, no one would have any problems spending a lot of time sitting in them. However, the back seats, which are best suited for persons with shorter statures, do not compare.

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In typical situations, the 2018 BMW i3s has a range of 80 to 100 miles. You can get 120 miles out of the battery under perfect circumstances.

For a city runabout, that's a respectable amount of range, but with the 2.4-gallon fuel tank and optional Range Extender, that number nearly doubles. About five percent of the way through the battery's charge is when the Range Extender starts and preserves the battery's current state of charge.

Utilizing a 220V AC charger, the 2018 BMW i3s can be recharged in roughly 3 hours. However, the i3 can be fully charged to 80 percent in around 30 minutes and to 100 percent in about 45 minutes using 50 kW DC Combo Fast Charging.

Regenerative braking, which pumps energy back into the battery, fortunately, allows you to partially avoid plugging in.

When the driver releases the accelerator, the brakes are automatically applied, producing the same result as engine braking in a typical car. The 2018 BMW i3s will actually completely stop by itself when traveling at lower speeds. Once you get used to it, it can be enjoyable and slightly improves the efficiency of the vehicle.

In its battery-electric configuration, the BMW i3s is one of the most energy-efficient automobiles sold in the United States.

The 33.2 kWh battery provides a 114-mile range for the i3 or a 107-mile range for the i3s.

Both models are available with or without the 650cc 2-cylinder engine, which increases the total range to 180 miles but reduces the electric range to 97 miles due to its added weight.

The EPA rates the i3 and i3s at 109 MPGe and 35 mpg combined with the REx. The i3 is rated at 129/99/118 MPGe without the REx, while the i3s is rated at 126/99/112 MPGe.

The i3s is quite close to the top of the list in terms of overall efficiency. It barely falls short of the Chevrolet Bolt's 119 MPGe rating. Although the Bolt requires more energy to charge, it has a more fantastic range. With 130 MPGe, the Tesla Model 3 leads the industry.

Marcus is a car enthusiast who loves writing about them. He travels frequently and always seeks out the best driving roads to really test a car's limits. His favorite cars are anything with a manual transmission, and he's been known to spend hours just shifting through all the gears.