Staff Photo by Mark Kennedy /
Suicide doors add to the unconventional design of the 2018 BMW i3S. Our 16-year-old son stopped to look at the BMW i3S in our driveway, and a puzzled look crossed his face.
"What's up with those brake rotors?" he said. "They look tiny."
FAST FACTS
* Model: BMW i3S with range extender * Exterior color: Melbourne Red Metallic * Interior color: Patterned cloth * Engine: All-electric engine (33kW lithium-ion battery, with two-cylinder range extender) * Horsepower: 181 * Transmission: Single-speed automatic * Fuel economy: 109 MPGe city/highway combined * Local Dealer: BMW of Chattanooga * Price (as tested): $58,695
Indeed, juxtaposed against the giant, 20-inch rims on our sporty i3S tester, the little brake rotors looked oddly out of place. With those macho wheels, you'd expect rotors the size of medium pizzas, maybe even rotors filled with holes for rapid cooling.
Staff Photo by Mark Kennedy /
The interior of the 2018 BMW i3S is a futuristic blend of touchscreens, wooden accents and fabric upholstery.But then there's much about the BMW i3S that looks out of the ordinary. From its expressive face and slumped shoulder line, to its rear coach doors and Ikea-like interior, the i3S is one curious looking little car.
Still, we found that the car attracted a number of admiring glances during our one-week test drive. Among the admirers was a newspaper design editor and a female reporter, both of whom stopped by my desk to inquire about the snazzy little ride in the parking lot.
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A plug-in EV powered by an all-electric engine tethered to a 33kWh lithium-ion battery, the i3S returns the energy equivalent of 109 mpg in combined city/highway driving. It also has a two-cylinder gasoline engine that recharges the battery and extends the vehicle's range to a bit over 100 miles.
BMW has been making the low-volume i3 for four years, and the 2018 i3S is an effort to give the little city car a jolt of caffeine. Indeed, the sport-tuned suspension in the i3S, along with its added horsepower (now 181), make it a fun little runabout. Whether these improvements warrant its $58,695 (as tested) price-tag - time will tell.
WHAT IS IT? An urban, four-passenger EV with an effective range of 107 miles (when equipped with a two-cylinder, range extending gas motor). The i3S takes the original i3 and adds bigger wheels, a stiffer suspension and a more powerful electric motor.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS: The i3S, with its zen-like interior and amped up engine, is a pleasure to drive in Chattanooga commuter traffic. One caveat: Driving down mountain roads is a bit of a bother as the car's regenerative braking makes is almost impossible to keep forward momentum without pressing the accelerator.
THINGS WE LIKED: The black, 20-inch, split-spoke wheels; the two-tone black and red metallic paint; the quick, off-the-mark acceleration (0-35 mph in 3.7 seconds); the flared wheel arches; the interior wood flourishes and the overall sporty vibe.
CAUSES FOR CONCERN: Limited storage area; long recharge times (up to 20 hours with the included "occasional use" cable); the column-mounted gear selector and the pricey bottom line.
COOL FACT: The government estimates the i3S will save you $3,500 in fuel costs over five years compared to the average new vehicle.
BOTTOM LINE: The good news it that it's easy for the right person to fall in love with the i3S. The bad news is that if you are smitten by the i3S, you'd better have deep pockets.
Contact Mark Kennedy at mkennedy@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6645. Follow him on Twitter @TFPCOLUMNIST. Subscribe to his Facebook updates at www.facebook.com/mkennedycolumnist.