babypuppi: [11] Bmw Of Pleasant Grove Becomes Annually Gossip

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SALT LAKE CITY — BMW engineers clearly wanted to set the i3 apart from the rest of its lineup.

It would have been simpler, I imagine, to take an existing sedan such as the 320i and convert it to electric use. Instead, BMW created the i3 from scratch. Even the sustainable materials used and the factory where the car is built, which is powered by naturally-occurring methane, are one of a kind. This is clearly not your father’s Bimmer.

BMW i announces 2nd life battery program that repurposes #BMWi3 batteries for at-home use: Media BMW USA (@BMWUSA) June 22, 2016

According to Kori Criddle, sales manager at BMW of Pleasant Grove, the majority of i3 buyers are new to BMW. Designers were smart to differentiate the i3. BMW’s first electric car, incidentally, was a modified version of the model 1600 in 1972. It was ahead of its time and sold very poorly.

The i3 is more expensive than a Nissan Leaf, but far less expensive than a Tesla Model X. How to compare electric vehicles to every other car on the road is an interesting question.

Dustin Starks, BMW of Pleasant Grove’s iCertified advisor, speculated that the i3 may represent where the automotive industry as a whole is headed.

“The BMW i3 is the most energy-efficient vehicle currently sold in the United States," he said. "From the cutting-edge production processes to the sustainability model used for the vehicle’s lifespan to the vehicle’s material usage, the BMW i3 is a vehicle ahead of its time. The i3 is truly a vehicle that represents where the automotive industry should be moving."

The i3's dual kidney grill. (Photo: Mike Stapley)

When I picked up the i3 at the dealer for my extended demo, we discussed two things straight away. First, the range of the i3 is estimated at 81 miles of electric-only use. Cars with an optional range-extender gasoline motor can get up to 150 miles per charge. The gasoline motor will not drive the wheels, but simply helps to charge the battery for extended use. While 81 miles of range creates a feeling of anxiety in most of us accustomed to gasoline powered cars, the Federal Highway Administration assures us the average American drives less than 37 miles per day.

Second, most electric and hybrid cars use braking to assist in regenerating power for the battery. I was given a lesson in “one-pedal driving,” as the i3 regenerates while coasting. Applying the brake actually wastes energy, in the form of heat and friction, which could otherwise extend range.

The vehicle actually begins to noticeably slow when you let off the gas pedal and the i3 can come to a complete stop — even hold itself on a hill — without touching the brake pedal. The brake lights come on while decelerating quickly, for safety.

Overall grade: B+

Exterior styling

At a glance, it is difficult to describe the i3 in any way other than awkward-looking. It is a five-door hatchback, but taller than most. It’s not an all-wheel drive crossover, yet sits on 20-inch wheels. It could be a minivan, but it’s too short and lacks a sliding door. Because the electric motor sits between the rear drive wheels, the front end of this car looks the opposite of every other BMW on the road; the low slung long hood of typical models is missing.

The front end stops abruptly and the bulbous front bumper dominates the small canopy above. Inside is storage for the AC wall charger and a tire inflation kit. Wiper and coolant fluids are also accessed up front. There is a traditional 12 volt battery to assist with passenger power needs and accessories.

Without the familiar blue and white BMW roundels — which are large and prominent — and the non-functional dual kidney grill, anyone would be hard pressed to identify this car as a BMW. The passenger compartment is separate from the chassis, motor and batteries below, and is made almost entirely of carbon fiber reinforced plastic. This material is both stronger and lighter than steel. Suicide doors — BMW uses the more politically correct coach doors — on both sides make for easy entry and exit for rear seat passengers. The rear doors are small and the rear windows will not roll down or vent.

The i3's suicide doors. (Photo: Mike Stapley)

The roof is exposed carbon fiber and the rear hatch is a single pane of glass covering both the window and extending down over the LED taillights to the bumper below. The view from behind is this car’s best one — perhaps fitting because the car is much quicker than other drivers will assume. The black color of the rear hatch and roof carry over to the front canopy. This makes the i3 unique with a dual-tone color scheme.

The i3 shares electric blue nuances with its supercar big brother, the i8. This car’s looks grew on me over several days.

Interior styling

The i3 was designed with sustainability in mind. Electric cars often tout their zero emissions but leave out the fact that electricity in the United States is still a relatively dirty business and lithium mining in the third world, for batteries, is hardly a green enterprise. Critics claim that newer gasoline powered cars may actually be greener than their EV counterparts when manufacturing, electricity use and disposal of non-recyclable batteries is factored. BMW set out to use sustainable products everywhere possible.

The car comes in three trim levels: Mega World, Giga World and Tera World. All three contain fabric made from recycled plastic water bottles. Dash and door panels are made from plant material, similar to hemp. In Giga and Tera trim, the woods and leathers used are unique. The wood is from Eucalyptus trees, a very fast growing and sustainable tree.

The i3's interior. (Photo: Mike Stapley)

The open-pore wood is very attractive and is supposed to deepen in color over time. Leather used in the i3 is tanned using olive leaves.

The car seems much larger on the inside than it appears from outside. The dashboard sweeps out ahead of the front seat passengers, taking up space that would typically house a gasoline engine. The expansive windshield combined with seats that ride much higher than a sport sedan create a driving sense similar to an SUV or crossover. Blind spots are virtually non-existent.

The climate and media controls are all BMW except for the instrument panel. It is a small screen that sits on top of the dash behind the steering wheel. The purist in me prefers analog gauges, but the panel provided all the necessary info and keeps you alert as to whether you are consuming power or recharging while one-pedal driving.

The i3's instrument panel. (Photo: Mike Stapley)

A larger 10.2-inch screen on the center of the dash, angled slightly toward the driver, provides access to the familiar BMW iDrive system including access to media, navigation and vehicle settings. The familiar iDrive controller is to the driver’s right on the center console. Because of the electric motor and lack of traditional drivetrain, there is no center tunnel and that adds to the spacious feel of the i3. It is easy to move from one side of the vehicle to the other without getting out of the car.

This car is comfortable, but lacks the certain luxury of most BMW models. BMW engineers crafted a car that feels superior to less expensive electric vehicles, but still feels somewhat spartan and economical.

Technology

Any talk of tech in this vehicle begins with the electric drivetrain. Driving an electric car is a unique experience and provides for quiet, smooth operation. If I owned a vehicle such as this, I would definitely invest the $400-$900 for the fast-charging level two home station that can charge the car fully in less than four hours.

There are two types of chargers found out on the streets, aside from plugging the car into a wall. The slower level one chargers can, in my experience, provide about 10 miles of range per hour. It's nice when shopping or eating lunch, but not ideal for getting from Provo to Salt Lake City as I did a few times. I plugged the car into a home wall outlet for 11 hours overnight and gained about 40 miles of range.

The i3's high-speed charger station. (Photo: Mike Stapley)

The faster level two chargers can get the car to about an 80 percent charge in roughly 25 minutes, but only trickle charge after that. The last 20 percent takes approximately an hour. There are a variety of places to charge and most are the slower variety. Considering EV’s still account for less than 5 percent of annual car sales, I was impressed by the number of chargers throughout the Salt Lake Valley.

The car’s navigation system can point you to charging stations and there are apps such as PlugShare to helps find others. The apps are convenient for separating fast from slow chargers and can let you know which are free.

The car can also be configured with Apple and Android watch apps to monitor charging and other vehicle features. During my four-days-plus with the i3, I encountered non-working charging stations on three separate occasions. Committing to an electric car means planning ahead and always having a plan B.

The i3'selectric drive. (Photo: Mike Stapley)

The middle-trimmed Giga World car I drove was well equipped. The navigation, adaptive cruise control, pedestrian warning system and backup camera were all similar to most BMW models. This car was also outfitted with an excellent Harman Kardan optional sound system. As is becoming common in newer car models this one did not include a CD player, but USB and Bluetooth support are standard.

The i3 has three driving modes. Comfort mode is standard. In Eco mode, the climate control system will be running at less than full and the car and all its accessories will operate in such a way as to conserve energy. I didn’t notice any loss of acceleration, however. In Eco+ mode the car is limited to 56 mph and heated seats, heated mirrors and air conditioning will not work. Depending on a variety of factors, I found each Eco mode added 6-8 miles of range.

Performance and handling

This car is quick off the line. Zero to 40, it will likely rival most cars in BMW’s lineup. Because the electric transmission only has one gear, all 180 pound-feet of torque is instantly available. This light car flies off the line. The zero to 60 time, provided by BMW, is 7 seconds flat. Compared to traditional hybrid/electric cars such as the Prius or Leaf, this car is fast.

Because the i3 is made by BMW it is, of course, rear wheel drive. Oversteer is a given with rear wheel drive cars and this one, riding on narrower and taller tires than most BMW sedans, loses front tire grip more readily than other BMW sedans would. This car is a confident drive, but can’t be pushed in quite the same way as BMW’s other, sportier, models outside of a straight line.

The i3's instrument panel. (Photo: Mike Stapley)

As I became accustomed to one-pedal driving, I was able to feather the gas pedal in the city so that I could actually cover several miles and hold my remaining range steady. Unlike gasoline powered cars, this electric vehicle actually gets better mileage in the city compared to highway driving. It is more difficult to coast on the freeway and the car will usually be under power, especially when using cruise control.

The ride is very smooth. The first thing I noticed after getting my own car back was that even a very capable 8-speed transmission can feel lurching compared to an electric vehicle. Combined with the relative silence of an electric motor, the i3 is as quiet and smooth as any car I've driven.

As with most German luxury cars, the i3 feels solid and balanced on the road. Steering was tight and responsive. Despite having a goal of braking as little as possible, the car comes to a stop just as quickly as it gets off the line. Braking is exceptional when needed.

Conclusion

BMW has accomplished something in that the i3 looks like nothing in its lineup and shares little in the way of interior luxury with other BMW sedans, yet it is spirited and comfortable. This car was surprisingly fun to drive.

The exterior styling is not for everyone. Owning an electric car is a commitment many simply won’t make. The i3 may not wear the “Ultimate Driving Machine” moniker quite as well as its Bavarian siblings. BMW has, however, put its money where its mouth is in terms of building a truly sustainable car, in a green factory, that delivers on both comfort and fun.

The car is potentially a workhorse for the 21st century. The Los Angeles Police Department recently decided the i3 fits the bill for non-emergency use in the city. The LAPD has agreed to purchase 100 i3’s.

An electric city—proud to supply @LAPDHQ & @MayorOfLA with a fleet of 100 #BMWi3 vehicles: Media BMW USA (@BMWUSA) June 8, 2016

As with all BMW models, the i3 comes with Sirius Radio free for one year, free roadside assistance for four years, and a free routine maintenance program.

In time, it will be interesting to see if consumers will decide to commit in greater numbers to the additional thought and planning that may be required to drive an electric vehicle full time. The looming question is whether battery technology will outpace the efficiency of other fuel sources.

Most people can tell you exactly how far their gasoline powered car can go once the fuel warning light comes on. Driving an electric vehicle reminds me of always driving with that feeling.

BMW of Pleasant Grove’s Stark was hesitant to buy his i3, but has come to know the range is always more than enough.

“After driving it for a couple of days, I quickly discovered that it can work incredibly well for many more people than you may think”, he said.

As for me, the driving experience was much more enjoyable than I expected. Once I got my own car back, however, the familiar exhaust note and sight of the tachometer racing was heavenly.

Specs

Motor: Mid-engine all-electric 170hp, 184 pound-feet torque

Transmission: 1-speed direct drive

Acceleration, 0-60MPH: 7.0 seconds

Top Speed: 93 mph

Curb Weight: 3,135 pounds

Wheelbase: 101.2 inches

Fuel Economy: 127 city/107 hwy MPGe

Average MSRP: $43,395 before government electric vehicle tax credit of $7,500

Warranty: 12 year rust; 8 yr, 100,000 mile battery; 4 year, 50,000 mile bumper to bumper

Cupholders: 4 standard, 1 optional

Charging ports: 3 power and 1 USB

![Mike Media the Author: Mike Stapley------------------------------

Mike Stapley is a father of two, a business sales manager for a telecom company and an aspiring novelist living in Salt Lake City. Contact him at Media LinksBMW i3Mike StapleyMore stories you may be interested inLee Greenwood, Collin Raye to headline 2021 return of Stadium of Fire21 indicted in large Utah drug trafficking ring Will darts help tame wild horse controversy?