CarLease UK

Car Leasing & Contract Hire News, Mews & Reviews

BMW are set to change the market with the fabulous i3 and i3 Range Extender

12 November 2013 by Rob

BMW Diesel Advert

If you are older than 35, then you will probably remember BMW advertising their new range of diesel engines with a 50p balanced on the engine at tick-over.  From that day on, a diesel was no longer a noisy, smelly, slow lump of a thing and it started a war of technology involving Audi, Mercedes-Benz, VW and BMW that brought about direct injection and increases in power that eventually led to a diesel winning Le Mans.  With increased power came reduced fuel consumption and usually those two things do not go hand in hand. Now there are diesel engines available that 15 years ago were inconceivable. For example, the VW Golf Blue motion, 105 bhp from 1.6 litres, and bear in mind that is the same as the first GTi. This same car has an average fuel consumption of over 70 mpg and performs really well, or a 320 d BMW that goes as well as all but a few petrol cars and will average over 50 mpg

New BMW i3

Well, in my opinion BMW are just about to do for electric cars what they did for diesels, with the launch of the i3 and its sister i3 Range Extender. With a day-to-day reality range of 100 to 140 miles, the i3 will easily handle what the average user asks of it with near zero road fund costs, reduced insurance costs and economy equivalent figures that are unbelievable thrown in.  But, here is the issue. If you have a range of 140 miles let’s say and you have 70 miles to cover, it’s pretty understandable to have some concerns about your risk of the batteries going flat, the concern that the industry call range anxiety

 

Enter the i3 Range Extender. BMW has installed one of its own 648 cc engines, probably straight of the 650 enduro motorcycle and now you can go as far as you want to.   Running in this format, the fuel consumption is about 450 mpg, but that does not take account of electric charging. Factor that in and you are still looking at well over 200 mpg

The interior is incredible

All range anxiety goes out of the window.  But a basic, electric, lightweight, noisy car?   Not a bit of it, with standard equipment that  is unusually good for BMW including Cruise control, Air conditioning, Bluetooth, DAB radio and lovely 19 inch alloy wheels, no one will be disappointed. But, don’t expect the inside to be anything like normal. It’s nearer to SS Enterprise than your regular car, but we expect this to be toned down slightly pre-launch. But jump in and drive and you will never notice the engine, even listening for it we never heard it once

Built around a plastic shell for weight saving, up close you simply can’t tell it from aluminium or steel. But the material is resistant to dents and should have a good lifespan. The BMW warranty for the car is three years and eight years on the batteries, with a limit of 100,000 miles. So longevity is assured and the simplicity of the system will guarantee reliability

Driving this car is as good as any small car and it benefits from the weight saving plastics and aluminium frame, with the batteries and motor at the rear, the steering even unassisted, is light but positive.  With a 0-60 mph of 7 seconds, you are not going to get left behind and it will cruise at over 60 mph no problem at all, coping with mainstream traffic should be no problem

Out and about, the first thing that company car drivers have asked us is how much will it cost. But unfortunately as a business lease, it’s not obvious how to compare it. For a start you get a £5000 subsidy from the government and with a £6000 deposit, the i3 Range Extender is a little over £300 per month. Given the fuel, company car tax and servicing savings, it’s beginning to look like a great value car lease. Your only add-on is a bill of £300 for the home charger

There is no doubt, this is going to be a popular car and probably a game changer, bringing about enormous budget changes to electric and range extender technology over the next few years. As we stand, BMW are ahead of everyone

 

Filed Under: Leasing News

In Review; Jaguar iPace 294kW EV400 HSE 90kWh (Auto/ Electric)

All electric cars are ugly and unusable? Surely electric cars are just short-term phase and won’t really catch on? … [Read More...]

In Review; Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD 4dr (Auto/ Electric)

What is the best electric car to lease in 2019? When is that new Model 3 Tesla ready to price and order? Looking back over … [Read More...]

Best Audi A3 Car Leasing deals

The Best Audi A3 Car Leasing deals

Audi A3 Car Leasing Deals Happy new car day to this Camden-based personal leasing customer. And a big thank you to … [Read More...]

the ultimate electric supercar

Is the Porsche Taycan the ultimate electric supercar?

The Ultimate Electric Supercars are available now Nothing has given the world of EVs more credence, or excitement, than … [Read More...]

Do I need to regularly charge my PHEV

Do I need to regularly charge my PHEV?

Thank you to our business car leasing customer, from Hereford, for sending pictures of their latest fleet addition - the … [Read More...]

Audi PHEV Car Lease

Audi PHEV Car Leasing

Audi PHEV Car Leasing Thank you to our business car leasing customer for allowing our dealership partners, Worcester … [Read More...]

Lease a New Car Before Brexit

Why NOW is the time to lease a new car (before Brexit)!

If you are able to turn your attention away from the COVID/Coronavirus situation for just a moment, you may remember that … [Read More...]

No Deposit Car Leasing

No Deposit Car Leasing – Myth or Real?

Do I have to pay a big deposit when I lease a new car? Firstly, thank you for the pictures of this brand-new BMW 3 … [Read More...]

Find & Follow CarLease UK

search for a lease car

In Review; Jaguar iPace 294kW EV400 HSE 90kWh (Auto/ Electric)

… [Learn More...]

In Review; Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD 4dr (Auto/ Electric)

… [Learn More...]

In Review; VW Golf 2.0 TDI R-Line 5dr DSG (Diesel/ Auto)

… [Learn More...]

In Review; Tesla Model S 90kWh Dual Motor 5dr (Auto/ Electric)

… [Learn More...]

Best Electric Lease Car Deals 2019 for Company Car Drivers

… [Learn More...]

Best Audi A3 Car Leasing deals

The Best Audi A3 Car Leasing deals

Audi A3 Car Leasing Deals Happy new car day to this … [Read More...]

the ultimate electric supercar

Is the Porsche Taycan the ultimate electric supercar?

The Ultimate Electric Supercars are available … [Read More...]

Do I need to regularly charge my PHEV

Do I need to regularly charge my PHEV?

Thank you to our business car leasing customer, from … [Read More...]

Audi PHEV Car Lease

Audi PHEV Car Leasing

Audi PHEV Car Leasing Thank you to our business … [Read More...]

Lease a New Car Before Brexit

Why NOW is the time to lease a new car (before Brexit)!

If you are able to turn your attention away from the … [Read More...]

No Deposit Car Leasing

No Deposit Car Leasing – Myth or Real?

Do I have to pay a big deposit when I lease a new … [Read More...]

van lease uk promo

CarLease UK, VanLease UK and School Minibus Leasing UK are trading names of CarLease (UK) Ltd,

Call 01942 608 606 or Contact Us

Browse by Manufacturer | Check the Latest Deals | Browse by Type | Get Help & Advice | Areas Covered | News & Car Reviews

Ts&Cs | Privacy Policy | Procedure For Complaints | Information Notice  |  Initial Disclosure Document  | Terms of Business | Sitemap

All images on this website are for illustrative purposes only.

CarLease UK & VanLease UK work alongside a limited number of finance providers who may make payment to us if you enter into an agreement with them. Failure to maintain payments may result in the vehicle being withdrawn.

CarLease (UK) Ltd is Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN 706617. Please note that CarLease (UK) Ltd is a credit broker and are not a lender. | FRN 706617 | BVRLA Membership No. 1471 | Data Protection Reg. ZA088399 | Registered in England 09312506

Copyright 2018 © CarLease (UK) ltd. All Rights Reserved.Registered Office Kings Business Centre, Warrington Road, Leigh, Manchester, WN7 3XG.
Call 01942 608 606 or Contact Us