Our Fleet Test Drive: BMW i3 - 8th report

Date: 09 October 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)

The steering is brilliantly weighted in typical BMW style, and allied with a tiny 9.86m turning circle and a really short nose it's so simple and quick to manoeuvre around town. Parking's just as easy, with a large colour-screen reversing camera 'fish-eyeing' the car behind into clear view.

Best of all, when traversing the city, stop-start traffic no longer seems such a bind because the regenerative braking does such a sound job of halting the car for you  - so much so that if you keep a judicious eye on the road ahead you can literally go for miles without even touching the brake pedal.

This recharging effect is also calibrated according to your speed, so that at higher mph the car 'coasts' more, while at lower speeds it generates a stronger braking effect (plus more, bonus energy recuperation). One-pedal fun indeed.  

Verdict
	Interior, driving simplicity and fun		Learning new driving and refuelling skills

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