Our Fleet Test Drive: BMW i3 - 5th report

Date: 13 August 2015   |   Author: Guy Bird

Why we're running it: To see if this EV cuts in beyond the theory Equipment: 6 airbags, stability and cornering brake control, hill-start assist, auto aircon, electric windows, leather-covered multi-function steering wheel, satnav, Bluetooth hands-free facility with USB, 50:50 split-fold rear seats, rear park distance control, 19in streamline star alloys, halogen headlights Options: Lodge trim (£1500), 19in turbine alloys (£680), Harmon Kardon hi-fi (£640), DC rapid charge prep (£560), silver metallic paint (£530), Enhanced Bluetooth with USB (£350), internet (£95) Media Package - BMW Professional (£960), Park assist package inc. colour reversing cam (£790), Winter package inc. heated front seats (£260), Online Entertainment (£190)

Life with an i3 involves so much more than a regular car. Like a few other EVs, it's got its own app that you can download to your phone so you can see how things are going with your car remotely.

The one with the i3 is pretty slick. Aside from calculating your latest journey's CO2 emissions, and where your nearest charging point is (and what speed it offers and cable type it takes), I'm finding its most useful feature is letting you know when the car is fully charged. When '100% charged' comes up on the display it's a wonderful - and reassuring - feeling. It's just one of the BMW i3's many simple (new) pleasures

Verdict
	Eco groundbreaking design and engineering		Learning new driving and refuelling skills

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