BMW ups i3 battery capacity to 33 kWh for 2017 model year
A new version of the BMW i3 compact electric car will feature a 50 per cent larger battery capacity than the current car.
Available for the 2017 model year, the BMW i3 (94 Ah) boasts 33 kilowatt hours of total battery capacity, compared to 18.8 kWh in the current i3.
That extra juice provides an estimated combined driving range of 114 miles—equal to roughly 183 kilometres.
The i3 (94 Ah) is powered by the same 170-horsepower electric motor found in the current version, which has an electric driving range of 130 kilometres.
BMW says the Range Extender model will also feature the 33-kWh battery pack, along with a fuel tank that is 25 per cent larger than the one bolted to the bottom of the current version.
Like the Chevrolet Volt, the i3 Range Extender features as on-board gas engine—in this case a tiny two-cylinder—that charges the battery while driving for more range.
The current i3 Range Extender has a driving range of 250 kilometres.
With added capacity, however, comes longer battery charging time, with BMW announcing the i3 (94 Ah) can be charged in approximately 4.5 hours using a Level 2 charger, compared to about three hours.
BMW says pricing will be announced closer to launch.
