After an earlier report confirming that the i3 is here to stay, BMW has let slip that an update of the family EV will include the introduction of a new, high-performance variant, which expected to carry the name ‘i3S.’
The BMW i3S is expected to bring with it stronger straight-line performance, and a sportier appearance too. The i3 has very recently introduced a new 94Ah battery pack to the lineup, which currently hurtles the electric hatch to 100km/h from rest in just 7.3 seconds. The i3S is expected to better that, which ought to put it in hot-hatchback territory with cars like the Peugeot 208GTi and the Ford Fiesta ST.
Although BMW won’t provide a concrete timeline on the introduction of the i3S, a source speaking to Autocar has revealed that the range-topper will debut alongside the updated i3 at the 2017 Frankfurt motor show in September next year. Across the board, the i3 will gain styling revisions, with tweaked bumpers and lights, and an updated infotainment system. Everything else will largely remain as it is.
There will be some drivetrain improvements for the 2018 model year i3, which ought to see range boosted slightly. As it stands, the current model offers a 190km range on a single charge, according to the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) tests. The revised i3 ought to be able to boast a range above 200km, then.
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