2013 BMW i3 electric review, test drive

We tend to think of electric cars as highly utilitarian and basic, and this isn't wrong. Only used as golf carts or milk carts, electric cars have for years been ultra basic. And so too has been the way they drive.  BMW, however, has taken it upon itself to launch a compact city car, the electric BMW i3, with all the virtues of a 'driver’s car'. Its objectives are clear. The car should be stylish, well crafted, fun-to-drive and clean. 

It looks stunning to begin with; BMW’s new language of curved panel-like surfaces and multiple layers work wonders. It looks edgy, modern and stays away from being whacky; which is a lot. And it isn't long either, at 3999mm.

You step into a slightly alien environment, a blend of techy modern shapes and unfamiliar controls. There's a modern BMW steering wheel and familiar i-drive and HVAC controls, but there are no instruments up front, just a screen. And you select drive modes via a rotary dial-like stalk near the steering. Accommodation up front is excellent, with the BMW i3 imparting an airy and upbeat ambience. The rear suicide doors allow you easy access, and space is decent here too. The seats are very comfortable and the pillar-less rear section gives you a good view outside.

Under the floor sits a 230kg battery pack. The BMW i3 uses a very expensive combination of aluminium, carbonfibre and steel construction for the chassis. But this means it weighs just 1195kg, offsetting the heavy batteries. By comparison, the Nissan Leaf hits the scales at 1525kg. Further weight-saving measures are evident throughout; the outer body is a combination of thermoplastic panels, the windows use thinner glass than you find in more traditional BMW models and interior trim is especially light too.