2018 BMW i3S could be a future product waiting in the wings to arrive in India when the electric infrastructure develops locally
BMW has been making huge impact in the global electric vehicle sales with the help of i3 and i5. At the 2018 Auto Expo, the brand has debuted the S version of the i3 with an aim to crack into the luxury EV space.
It is one of the promising zero-emission vehicles we can expect to be introduced in India in the years to come from the brand’s stable. Here is everything you need to know about the 2018 BMW i3S:
2018 BMW i3S Electric Powertrain and Performance
| Electric Powertrain | 33 kWh electric battery pack |
| Power | 184 horsepower |
| Torque | 269 Nm of peak torque |
| 0-100 kmph | 6.9 seconds |
The 2018 BMW i3 and i3S were released officially by the German manufacturer at the end of August 2017 before debuting them at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The all-new i3S is powered by a revised electric motor that is good enough to produce a maximum power output of 184 horsepower and 269 Nm of peak torque.
It is at an increase of 14 hp and 20 Nm over the old version. The small electric car is claimed to do 0-100 kmph in just 6.9 seconds before reaching 160 kmph top speed – eight tenths quicker than the standard i3 with 10 kmph more top speed.
The range extending engine will also help achieve 0-100 kmph in 7.7 seconds with same top speed. The 33 kWh electric battery pack enables same range as the previous model but the improved charging cable has five times faster charging capacity than Level 1 cable and will help replenishing in just three hours.
2018 BMW i3S Interior and Features
On the inside, owners will get access to the latest iteration of iDrive infotainment system with Apple CarPlay connectivity. The cabin is futuristic and modern indeed while additionally it gains Giga Brown Natural Leather and Carum Spice Grey Wool Cloth internationally for 2018.
Mounted low in the vehicle floor, the lithium-ion battery provides a range of 290-300 km based on the NEDC cycle, 235 to 255 km as per WLTP and up to 200 km in everyday use says BMW.
The combined power consumption of the new BMW i3 varies between 13.6 and 13.1 kWh for every 100 km on the NEDC cycle. Alongside the upgraded powertrain, the i3S comes fitted with 20-inch light alloy wheels and a sporty suspension as the ride height goes down by half an inch comparatively. The wheels are wider than the regular i3 as well.
2018 BMW i3S Design and Exterior
As for the exterior, the Munich-based automaker has introduced a new front bumper and reworked fog lamps compared to the previous model sold globally. It has a cutesy overall profile and has distinctive design of the brand up front – only shrunk into a small city car way. Other important features are metallic trims and aggressive black accents.
2018 BMW i3S India Launch
| 2018 BMW i3S India Launch | Sometime Next Year |
BMW’s India arm has revealed the i3S for the domestic market at the 2018 Delhi Auto Expo. Its bigger sibling, the i8 electric supercar, is already available on sale locally. With the electric infrastructure in India yet to develop, we can expect the i3S to arrive next year or in 2020.
2018 BMW i3S India Price
| 2018 BMW i3S India Price | Around Rs. 40 lakh (ex-showroom) |
The BMW i3S is expected to be priced competitively in the Indian luxury market. The above pricing is a pure guessing considering that it is sold in UK for £37,000.
2018 BMW i3S Rivals
The i3S could be BMW’s answer to the long mooted Nissan Leaf and the Hyundai Ioniq that was also displayed at the Auto Expo.
2018 BMW i3S Images
