With Tesla taking over the luxury vehicle category from gas-powered competitors in lucrative markets like California, BMW is striking back with the all-new 2018 BMW i3s.
The electric-powered i3s gets a bit more power, a higher top speed, a wider stance, and a flashier exterior than the standard i3 model.
But this extra oomph carries a premium of $3,200 and a seven-mile reduction in range, and the car lacks some of the active safety features found on much less expensive vehicles.
Pricing and Design
The 2018 BMW i3s comes in one trim level, with or without a 2-cylinder Range Extender gasoline engine.
The car is equipped with a 37-kilowatt/181-horsepower electric motor powered by a 33.2-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, with its 199 lb.-ft.
of torque channeled to the rear wheels by a single-speed direct-drive transmission.
A fully charged battery pack gives the i3s an EPA-rated range of up to 107 miles, while the optional Range Extender engine boosts it to 180 miles (the standard i3 gets better standard range, at 114 miles).
The battery takes 12 to 15 hours to charge from empty using the supplied 120-volt Occasional Use Cable, four to six hours with a 240-volt wall box charger, and about 40 minutes to an hour at a fast-charging station.
Behind a panel on the passenger side rear quarter panel is a plug that connects to an onboard 11-kW charger and has an SAE Combo connector for both slow and fast charging.
The 2018 BMW i3s we tested has a base price of $51,050 and comes with 20-inch double-spoke alloy wheels, BMWi LifeDrive vehicle architecture that uses lightweight-aluminum drive components and a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic passenger compartment, sport suspension, black A-pillar and roof trim, and black mirror caps.
It also has power-folding and heated side mirrors, LED headlights, U-shaped LED daytime running lights and taillights, rear coach doors, rain-sensing windshield wipers with automatic headlight control, cruise control, keyless entry and ignition, automatic-dimming interior rearview and driver side exterior mirrors, automatic climate control, heated front seats, 50/50 split-folding rear seats, a universal garage door opener, rear parking sensors, and a tilt/telescopic steering wheel.
Standard tech amenities include a 6.5-inch dashboard display with programmable memory buttons and a rearview camera, an iDrive Controller, AM/FM HD and satellite radio, and Bluetooth for phone and audio.
You also get BMW Business Navigation system, BMW Remote App capability with features such as remote door locking/unlocking and vehicle location, and the BMW Assist telematics system with emergency assistance, automatic collision notification, stolen vehicle recovery, and other features.
Standalone options on our test car included $300 for BMWi blue seatbelt straps, $300 for Apple CarPlay, $550 for Melbourne Red Metallic paint, $750 for front parking sensors, and $1,800 for the Giga World leather and cloth interior with eucalyptus wood trim.
It also came with the $2,500 Technology and Driving Assistance option package that includes adaptive cruise control with full stop and go, Advanced Real-Time Traffic Information and ConnectedDrive Services, Daytime Pedestrian Protection, Frontal Collision Warning with City Collision Mitigation, and Speed Limit Info.
With a $995 destination charge, the final sticker price came to $58,695.
The BMW i3 is already a distinctive vehicle, and with its gaping front grille, silver accents, and high-gloss black roof, A-pillars, and wheel arches, the i3s adds more exterior head-turning flare.
The interior is surprisingly roomy for such as small car and has ample rear cargo room, and outward visibility is excellent.
The Giga World option combines low-key naturally tanned leather with a natural, wool-based textile material and unbleached eucalyptus wood; the i3s wears its eco cred on its cabin, and isn't the usual BMW luxury experience.
Interface and Connectivity
BMW has enhanced the iDrive interface over the years and on some models recently added a touch screen to supplement the traditional center console rotary controller.
Unfortunately, the i3s isn't one of them, and at 6.5 inches, the screen is on the small side.
Still, we found the screen-controller combo relatively easy to use, and characters can be traced on top of the iDrive controller to enter commands.
Drivers can also customize the screen's main menu tiles to show the features they use most.
Like other BMWs, the i3s uses embedded connectivity for cloud-based features such as live weather, local search, streaming music, and parking info.
And like the 2018 BMW 740e PHEV we recently tested, Apple CarPlay is available, though support for Android Auto isn't.
Its few driver assists are also extra-cost options, whereas many are standard on less-expensive cars.
A subscription to BMW Connected Services is complimentary for the first four years of ownership and includes traditional telematics services such as automatic crash notification and a remote app that can be used to check on charging status, charging times, and to set a departure time so that the interior is heated or cooled.
The i3s also includes a unique Multimodal Route Guidance feature that can tell drivers whether they can get to their destination quicker by parking the car and using public transportation based on traffic conditions.
Performance
While the i3s is meant for range rather than speed, acceleration is improved over the standard i3 thanks to an additional 14 horsepower.
A new Sport driving mode is exclusive to the i3s model and adds a bit of pep and an improved steering feel, and the car also has Comfort and fuel-saving Eco and EcoPro modes that dial back performance and climate control to save juice.
The i3s's sport suspension, lower ground clearance, and wider track compared with the regular i3 gives it a more stable stance and road-hugging feel.
We don't care for the inconvenient placement of the short shift lever behind the steering wheel, however, nor the lawnmower-like harshness of the Range Extender engine when it kicks in.
Conclusions
Besides costing $3,200 more than the i3, the extra performance comes at the expense of range—107 miles compared with 114.
With EV sales lagging for most mainstream automakers—and Tesla taking over the luxury niche—it's smart for BMW to try revamping the i3s to fit more with the brand's performance heritage.
But while it's a fun to drive, the district styling turns heads, and the Range Extender adds peace of mind, the 2018 BMW i3s is a premium-priced EV that falls a bit short in range and features.
