BMW i3s

The BMW i3s, thankfully, mirrors its concept design both on the outside and inside. While the cabin layout is traditionally BMW-ish, there are some design cues which make it look like a car from the future.

The two-spoke steering wheel might look simple, however, the tablet-like fully digital rectangular instrument console behind it makes up for a great driver’s cockpit. Same design goes for the centrally mounted rectangular touch screen infotainment system as well, which houses all the modern connectivity options and features.

The centre console as well as the top dashboard layer has a simple flair and doesn’t look outlandish at all. The inverted trapezoidal layout of the AC system looks cool, with the vents below and the buttons for automatic climate control above it. The multi-layer, as well as dual tone theme for the dashboard, is something which sets apart the cabin of the i3s from other BMWs pretty well.

While the i3s looks big on the outside, the space inside is not that impressive. It gets a substantially large and usable boot, however, the legroom and knee room at the rear are good.

It has been a long time since the BMW i3s is in its existence, but even today, its design stays smart and futuristic enough to put the latest car launches to shame. Breaking the norm of other BMW offerings, this electric hatchback has many design cues which are exclusive to it in the entire BMW lineup.

Starting from the front, the BMW i3s comes with the traditional BMW double kidney grille, which here is finished in piano black and gets chrome surrounds. The short nose and high bumper with blue highlights at the bottom give it some visual mass, while the sleek LED headlamps give it a premium appeal at the front.

It is the side profile of the BMW i3s which is the most striking and unique angle to look at. The i3s is the only car in BMW lineup to get suicide doors, with a massive kink for the rear door window which is positioned a bit lower. The upswept and hunkered down stance at the rear quarter gives the i3s its own unique identity.

The door handles for only the front with that of the rear hidden making the side profile look very sporty. The sporty looking machined alloy wheels look premium and go well with the concept car like identity of the i3s.

At the rear, the BMW i3s again looks quite distinctive with a full glossy black rear hatch panel, which integrates slim but block shaped LED tail lamps.

The BMW i3s might not be as sport-oriented in terms of driving dynamics as compared to other sedans and coupes from BMW. However, where it really shines is the city maneuverability due to balanced dimensions and supple ride quality, thanks to the rather soft suspension setup.

Ditching the traditional gasoline-powered engines from BMW’s family, the i3S gets an exclusive-for-it all-electric powertrain. Under the hood, the BMW i3s gets a 42.2kWh battery comprising of 8 modules with 12 cells each. This battery gives the i3s a total maximum usable range of 245 kms, which is really commendable. The BMW i3s is capable of covering the 0-100 kmph sprint in just 6.9 seconds.

The BMW i3s, being a car focused for future mobility, has been equipped with the best possible safety features and driving aids. The list of such equipment here comprises of front, side, and knee airbags, seat belts with automatic locking retractors, Active Driving Assistant with Surround View, Speed Limit Info, Frontal Collision Warning, Pedestrian Protection and City Collision Mitigation, BMW Assist eCall which includes Emergency Request (SOS button) and Enhanced Automatic Collision Notification, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC) and Cornering Brake Control (CBC).

Breaking the norm from other BMWs, the i3s is not that traditional BMW which can quench your thrust of driving to the apex. Instead, it shows you the future of mobility on wheels with its futuristic design and technologies onboard. This urban-oriented car is perfect for those who are looking to make their urban commutes special while standing out from the crowd.