The Daily Mail test drives the BMW i3 REX (range extender):
Price as driven: £36,985 (includes £5,000 subsidy on full price of £41,985)
Devilish fun: With its rocket-like acceleration, you quickly forget this is an electric car
GOOD
- It's not every day I get a police escort down The Mall from Buckingham Palace. But I did - well, sort of - in this head-turning electric car from BMW.
- Devilish fun to drive. It puts a smile on your face. Indeed, the rocket-like acceleration - especially to 30 mph - meant I could keep up with the police motorcyclists past the Palace, looking as if I had an official escort. You quickly forget this is an electric car.
- Drives like an upmarket go-kart. Very tight turning circle. Leaves bossy taxis for dust. Going from 0 to 62 mph takes just 7.9 seconds - the same as a Mini Cooper S. Top speed is 93 mph, and it's great around town.
- The electric motor develops 170 bhp with charge stored in a lithium ion battery that lies flat under the floor. The Range Extender adds a 647 cc 2-cylinder petrol engine that acts like a mini-power station to generate more electricity. BMW claims an average equivalent of around 470 mpg.
- Take your foot off the accelerator and the electric motor switches from 'drive' to 'generator' mode, feeding power into the battery.
- Clean - just 13g/km CO 2 average emissions for the Range Extender - zero without; both exempt from road tax and London Congestion Charge. Low insurance rating.
- Looks like a proper BMW; this is no Noddy car.
- Gets you noticed. By the time I got back to the office after my Central London road test, I already had an email asking was it me driving down The Mall in an i3? People stopped to take pictures.
- Styling inside and out is modern, contemporary and hi-tech. You won't mistake this for anything else. It's also tactile and the materials are easy on the eye.
- Two screens display all the key driving info and satnav directions.
- The coach doors open like an oyster from the middle, which makes it easier to get into the back seat.
- Choice of four interior trim levels, all in sustainably sourced wood, natural fibres and leather.
- Recharges from the mains in eight to ten hours, but in three with a BMW fast-charge unit.
- Built on a lightweight aluminium chassis with a carbon-fibre rein - forced plastic body shell.
BAD
- Not cheap. My fully loaded version cost nearly £37,000 even with a taxpayer-funded grant. All-electric versions start at £25,680, and it's from £28,830 for Range Extenders. Most people will lease.
- Something of a squeeze getting in the back, but it will seat four people in reasonable comfort.
- You'll not get far just on electric power - 100 miles or so. The REX nearly doubles that. BMW says this is fine as the average daily commute is around 25 miles.
