BMW’s i division has upgraded the electric-powered i3 with a new battery that is claimed to extend its range by almost 30 per cent under everyday driving conditions.
The new 120Ah lithium-ion unit replaces the 94Ah battery used by the existing i3 and brings a 9.2kWh increase in energy capacity for the quirky five-door hatchback, at 42.2kWh.
In the standard 168bhp i3, it provides a range of 193 miles, or up to 34 miles more than the predecessor model, on the newly introduced Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) emission regulations.
In the more performance-orientated 181bhp i3s, the new battery is claimed to bring a 25 mile improvement in range at an official 177 miles under WLTP.
Under every day driving conditions, BMW says the new 120Ah battery provides both i3 models with a realistic range of up to 162 miles, or 37 miles more than that quoted by the German car maker for the existing i3 with its 94Ah battery.
BMW i is remaining tight-lipped on the weight of its latest battery. However, it claims the 0-62mph times for the rear-wheel drive i3 and i3s remain virtually unchanged at 7.3sec and 6.9sec respectively, with the 50-75mph times put at 5.1sec and 4.3sec.
The new battery, developed in partnership with Samsung, retains the same dimensions as the unit it replaces, enabling it to be packaged in the same dedicated space within the floor of the i3 as the unit it replaces.