i3 Pre-Launch Event

[Parker]

We went to a BMW i3 event at the weekend.

I’ve been to a few pre-launch events in my time but never to one where we didn’t see the car, know how much it would be ..... and nothing could be confirmed regarding the car.

Having said that it was a very enjoyable day out, we got to drive an Active E – which was good. I suppose the most surprising thing was how normal everything was ( apart from the quietness 0-60)...... as a prototype I expected it to be all squeaks and rattles .... but it was rock solid and drove just like a BMW. I’m sure nobody but the most observant will have realised they were being overtaken by an electric car........and overtake we did, 4 up with the disadvantage of a metal body I drove the Active E as a normal sports saloon. Whilst the speed limit in the UK is 70mph if you ever drove at that speed you would cause an accident ..... most traffic drives about 80-85 .... therefore you can imagine what speed we were going to overtake this lot and press on.

As I say it was just like any BMW 120i but with an indicator “click” that sounds A LOT louder! .... the day certainly made me look forward to the arrival of the i3....... even more.

 

[TomMoloughney]

We went to a BMW i3 event at the weekend.

I’ve been to a few pre-launch events in my time but never to one where we didn’t see the car, know how much it would be ..... and nothing could be confirmed regarding the car.

Having said that it was a very enjoyable day out, we got to drive an Active E – which was good. I suppose the most surprising thing was how normal everything was ( apart from the quietness 0-60)...... as a prototype I expected it to be all squeaks and rattles .... but it was rock solid and drove just like a BMW. I’m sure nobody but the most observant will have realised they were being overtaken by an electric car........and overtake we did, 4 up with the disadvantage of a metal body I drove the Active E as a normal sports saloon. Whilst the speed limit in the UK is 70mph if you ever drove at that speed you would cause an accident ..... most traffic drives about 80-85 .... therefore you can imagine what speed we were going to overtake this lot and press on.

As I say it was just like any BMW 120i but with an indicator “click” that sounds A LOT louder! .... the day certainly made me look forward to the arrival of the i3....... even more.

Was this a BMW i event or one sponsored by a particular BMW dealership? Just wondering. I really don't expect we'll get too much information until the official i3 launch at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The good news is we're only 3 months away now

 

[Parker]

It was a BMW i event ......... the "i" people were non-Dealership & Dealership personnel.

The really great bit of news was that there will be a visit to look at one of the first cars off the production line. No time scales were given but this may be done to help people spec their cars..... so before or around July 29th perhaps? I'll keep you posted.

 

[TomMoloughney]

It was a BMW i event ......... the "i" people were non-Dealership & Dealership personnel.

The really great bit of news was that there will be a visit to look at one of the first cars off the production line. No time scales were given but this may be done to help people spec their cars..... so before or around July 29th perhaps? I'll keep you posted.

I'd love if you were right, but I would be VERY surprised if they allow anyone to see a real production car before the Frankfurt Motor Show. The whole point is to reveal the car to the world for the first time on a grand stage.