In all the excitement surrounding getting enough electric juice to drive, we’ve rather neglected the i3 itself of late. Which is a shame, as the design is nothing short of a groundbreaking masterpiece.

Not everyone is convinced by the car’s exterior – although I love it – but I’ve yet to meet a soul who isn’t bowled over by the interior from the moment those cool ‘coach’ (née ‘suicide’) doors open.

From the exposed carbon fibre-reinforced plastic door sills, to the space created by the absence of B-pillars or a transmission tunnel, stepping into the i3’s lounge-like cabin is a unique production car experience. In Lodge spec the stand-out feature is the strip of matt-finish eucalyptus wood that covers the dashboard and curves over the top-mounted glove box lid on the passenger side (pictured).

It looks like something from a boutique hotel shelving unit, not a car. Alongside light-coloured but textured wool fabric on the seats and door sections framed by coarse grain light-brown leather on the seat edging and door armrests, it’s an awesome and truly original automotive interior that’s well worth the £1500 extra. I never tire of sitting in it, and it’s as comfy as anything too, front and back.