For the longest of time, the future of motoring has been depicted as one that no longer relies on fossil fuels. Petrol-burning, raucous-sounding sport cars are replaced by eerily quiet vehicles that will swoosh past in a whizz, and run on invisible, alternative sources of energy.
Along those lines, it seems like the future has arrived.
With prices starting from $229,800 (as of 8th August), the groundbreaking, all-electric BMW i3 is priced between the 320i and 328i. But unlike preconceptions about this genre of car, there's nothing quite eccentric about it (other than how it looks).
Exterior
Prior to the i3, there have only been a couple of electric cars launched in Singapore, such as the Nissan Leaf and the Tesla Roadster. Hence, being the rare genre and partly due to its rather quirky design, the i3 attracts more stares than you'd expect.
Along those lines, it seems like the future has arrived.
With prices starting from $229,800 (as of 8th August), the groundbreaking, all-electric BMW i3 is priced between the 320i and 328i. But unlike preconceptions about this genre of car, there's nothing quite eccentric about it (other than how it looks).
Exterior
Prior to the i3, there have only been a couple of electric cars launched in Singapore, such as the Nissan Leaf and the Tesla Roadster. Hence, being the rare genre and partly due to its rather quirky design, the i3 attracts more stares than you'd expect.
Although it still bears the iconic kidney grilles, it looks nothing like the Bimmers we have been acquainted with so far. While the front facet will have you believe that it is the regular hatchback that we are all familar with, the rear sets an immediate impression with its almost spaceship-like design.
Another thing that strikes you is its unique proportions. Standing at 1,578mm, it towers over most hatchbacks, and is more than 150mm taller than the BMW 1 Series. But although it looks relatively 'skinny', it measures 1,775mm at the girth, which makes it as wide as the 2 Series Coupe.
Another thing that strikes you is its unique proportions. Standing at 1,578mm, it towers over most hatchbacks, and is more than 150mm taller than the BMW 1 Series. But although it looks relatively 'skinny', it measures 1,775mm at the girth, which makes it as wide as the 2 Series Coupe.
Interior
While automakers are often quick to give fanciful yet meaningless names to body colours and variants, the i3's interior trims actually make sense, more so when the cabin of the electric hatch is loft-inspired.
In Singapore, the electric hatchback is available with either 'Lodge' or 'Suite' interior designs, with the latter costing $4k more.
Our test car came with the former, which has a lighter grey-toned interior done up in a mixture of woven fabric and leather - compared to a more serious dark leather in Suite.
While automakers are often quick to give fanciful yet meaningless names to body colours and variants, the i3's interior trims actually make sense, more so when the cabin of the electric hatch is loft-inspired.
In Singapore, the electric hatchback is available with either 'Lodge' or 'Suite' interior designs, with the latter costing $4k more.
Our test car came with the former, which has a lighter grey-toned interior done up in a mixture of woven fabric and leather - compared to a more serious dark leather in Suite.
Even without a sunroof, the i3's cabin feels airy and spacious, with part credits going to its loft-like dashboard design and colour theme.
What sets the the Lodge trim apart is that it looks nothing like what we've seen before. The clever mix of contrasting materials brings out a close-to-nature feel that has a relaxing effect on occupants. And we'll gladly take this over the costlier leather trim.
Coach-styled rear doors further add to the sense of occasion, and allow easier entry to the rear quarters.
What sets the the Lodge trim apart is that it looks nothing like what we've seen before. The clever mix of contrasting materials brings out a close-to-nature feel that has a relaxing effect on occupants. And we'll gladly take this over the costlier leather trim.
Coach-styled rear doors further add to the sense of occasion, and allow easier entry to the rear quarters.
The Drive
You must know by now that driving an electric car is nothing quite like piloting 'conventional' ones propelled by internal combustion engines. In fact, it's more like piloting a golf or beach buggy.
For starters, there's no cranking of the engine when you press the engine start button, only a slight humming (and a reading on the display panel) to tell you the car's ready to go.
On paper, the i3's electric drivetrain churns out 170bhp and 250Nm of torque, which is good for a 7.9 seconds sprint from nought to 100km/h. But the instantaneous power delivery makes it feel much quicker than the stated figure. In fact, it feels like a wound-up toy car that is ever-ready to unleash its potential.
Coupled with its impressive pace, its compact dimensions allow us to slot it into gaps and chuck it around corners with ease, although the experience isn't as rewarding as a bonafide hot hatch.
But what it's certainly capable of is to put a smirk on the driver's face, especially when it whizzes past unsuspecting motorists who, most probably, have little clue about what kind of electrified frenzy this futuristic-looking thing is capable of.
All i3s in Singapore will come with a Range Extender (Rex), a 647cc in-line two motorcycle engine that serves as a backup when the batteries go flat. Think of it as the mobile charger which most of us carry along for our smartphones.
On a single full charge, we managed to clock close to 110km before the Rex kicked in to keep the batteries charged at five percent (or 5km range remaining). More notably, the two-cylinder engine kicks in without the slightest fuss, and it's almost impossible to tell that it's working.
Running on a nine-litre petrol tank, the Rex can add a theoretical 140km to the i3's range - although the test car displayed a range closer to 100km at full tank.
Conclusion
Unlike previous electric cars that we've driven, there was less range anxiety during our time with the i3 - with the Rex playing a big part in it. BMW's full-on approach to making a 'genuine' eco-friendly car (via sustainable manufacturing processes) also makes competitors pale in comparison.
And it further proves that 'green' cars can be fun to drive too.
Sadly, the lack of charging facilities means that the i3 will remain largely impractical to the masses, and remain as an exclusive way to zoom around town for now.
Running on a nine-litre petrol tank, the Rex can add a theoretical 140km to the i3's range - although the test car displayed a range closer to 100km at full tank.
Conclusion
Unlike previous electric cars that we've driven, there was less range anxiety during our time with the i3 - with the Rex playing a big part in it. BMW's full-on approach to making a 'genuine' eco-friendly car (via sustainable manufacturing processes) also makes competitors pale in comparison.
And it further proves that 'green' cars can be fun to drive too.
Sadly, the lack of charging facilities means that the i3 will remain largely impractical to the masses, and remain as an exclusive way to zoom around town for now.
