So What's New?

[RunonMD1]

Or will be in next year's model? What changes? I understand that they won't be major, but does anyone know?

I understand that the current one will stop production this December.

If so, unless they are tooling up now, next year's model will start production shortly thereafter (assuming my information is correct).

Richard

 

[I33t]

I understand that the current one will stop production this December.

After a little over one single year? I'm sorry, but I find this pretty hard to believe. I can understand that there might be some incremental changes to the styling and spec but stopping production and retooling for a new model? I don't think so.

 

[Dee123]

I agree that there's unlikely to be any big change. Perhaps new colours and some option combinations moved about. For example, it would be nice to have driving assistant plus without having to upgrade your interior (I heard folks complain about his limitation a lot).

 

[Surge]

I'm guessing the moonroof will be available in N America.

And hoping the REx control will be improved for N America - ie, the ability to turn it on or off. This would make it useable on long highway drives, for example...at speeds like 75mph+ like the majority of people often drive at.

I drove a REx for 2 days and it's not safe on the highway, if the charge is under 6% and the REx has engaged. Unless you drive below 70 and don't go up even the slightest grade, you just can't rely on it not to severely reduce your speed.

 

[WoodlandHills]

The only way the moonroof will be available is if the US rollover regulations are changed to permit non-metallic reinforcement around the openings. As it is now, the CFRP is not acceptable and steel is too heavy.

CARB will not permit the i3 to be operated as a gasoline vehicle with a tiny fuel tank and a backup battery drive system and still qualify as a PZEV. And BMW needs that certification to offset higher profit gas guzzlers for their CAFE. It will be years if ever, before CARB rewrite their rules.

 

[ultraturtle]

I drove a REx for 2 days and it's not safe on the highway, if the charge is under 6% and the REx has engaged. Unless you drive below 70 and don't go up even the slightest grade, you just can't rely on it not to severely reduce your speed.

Since this point frequently comes up, I'd like to point out that it is not always the case. I've driven continuously at 75 mph on rolling terrain in comfort mode, air conditioning set a 68 degrees with an OAT of about 80 degrees for a little over 100 miles after the automatic switch to REx operation, with no loss of power on extended climbs of several hundred feet, and never without the potential for full throttle acceleration for a quick pass. Common sense would dictate that adverse conditions like strong headwinds or very low temperatures might necessitate a somewhat lower average speed.

Many other members of this forum have had similar experiences.

In more hilly terrain, the following graph from BMW’s W20 Engine Technical Training document suggests a strategy to maintain charge as one approaches an extended incline:

Simply maintain exactly 90 km/h (56 mph) – no slower, no faster (perhaps slowing to 70 km/h (44 mph) once SOC drops below ~ 1% (1 mile range remaining is a close enough approximation) .

Well prior to the climb, 90 km/h (56 mph) is the slowest speed at which the REx engine will output its maximum power in the 3.5% - 6.5% SOC range (~20 kW engine power, or 18.8 kW electrical output at 3500 RPM). Maintain 56 mph until your range remaining indication bumps up to the white triangle (about 5 miles), then you can speed up a bit, but slow back to 56 mph once range drops to abeam the left edge of the white triangle (~3-4 miles).

Any slower than 56 mph, and the RPM and power drops. Any faster, more energy is consumed and less excess power is available to bring the SOC up to 6.5% for the beginning of the climb.

Once you have recuperated enough SOC to remain within the center to left edge of the white triangle (~5 miles of range) and the climb begins you can speed up as you wish, but again back off to 56 mph once range drops below the left edge of the triangle (~4). On crazy steep inclines, SOC may continue to reduce, but the REx system will respond by increasing electrical power through 21.6 kW @ 4000 RPM at 2.5% SOC, all the way to maximum electrical output of 23.5 kW @ 4300 RPM at 1.5% SOC.

There are limits to how steep a climb the i3 REx can maintain at 56 mph, so if range drops to ~1 (0.7% SOC), you can back off to 44 mph and still be assured that the REx system is maintaining maximum electrical output.

It would also be wise to switch to ECO Pro + at this point - as Scottie would say "Divert all remaining power to main thrusters".

Unless you purposefully exceed the design parameters above that BMW gave us, you'll continue on your way with no problems.

 

[RunonMD1]

I drove a REx for 2 days and it's not safe on the highway, if the charge is under 6% and the REx has engaged. Unless you drive below 70 and don't go up even the slightest grade, you just can't rely on it not to severely reduce your speed.

Since this point frequently comes up, I'd like to point out that it is not always the case. I've driven continuously at 75 mph on rolling terrain in comfort mode, air conditioning set a 68 degrees with an OAT of about 80 degrees for a little over 100 miles after the automatic switch to REx operation, with no loss of power on extended climbs of several hundred feet, and never without the potential for full throttle acceleration for a quick pass. Common sense would dictate that adverse conditions like strong headwinds or very low temperatures might necessitate a somewhat lower average speed.

Many other members of this forum have had similar experiences.

In more hilly terrain, the following graph from BMW’s W20 Engine Technical Training document suggests a strategy to maintain charge as one approaches an extended incline:

Simply maintain exactly 90 km/h (56 mph) – no slower, no faster (perhaps slowing to 70 km/h (44 mph) once SOC drops below ~ 1% (1 mile range remaining is a close enough approximation) .

Well prior to the climb, 90 km/h (56 mph) is the slowest speed at which the REx engine will output its maximum power in the 3.5% - 6.5% SOC range (~20 kW engine power, or 18.8 kW electrical output at 3500 RPM). Maintain 56 mph until your range remaining indication bumps up to the white triangle (about 5 miles), then you can speed up a bit, but slow back to 56 mph once range drops to abeam the left edge of the white triangle (~3-4 miles).

Any slower than 56 mph, and the RPM and power drops. Any faster, more energy is consumed and less excess power is available to bring the SOC up to 6.5% for the beginning of the climb.

Once you have recuperated enough SOC to remain within the center to left edge of the white triangle (~5 miles of range) and the climb begins you can speed up as you wish, but again back off to 56 mph once range drops below the left edge of the triangle (~4). On crazy steep inclines, SOC may continue to reduce, but the REx system will respond by increasing electrical power through 21.6 kW @ 4000 RPM at 2.5% SOC, all the way to maximum electrical output of 23.5 kW @ 4300 RPM at 1.5% SOC.

There are limits to how steep a climb the i3 REx can maintain at 56 mph, so if range drops to ~1 (0.7% SOC), you can back off to 44 mph and still be assured that the REx system is maintaining maximum electrical output.

It would also be wise to switch to ECO Pro + at this point - as Scottie would say "Divert all remaining power to main thrusters".

Unless you purposefully exceed the design parameters above that BMW gave us, you'll continue on your way with no problems.

Please forgive me, but I am the centerfold of "Newbie" Magazine.

What is "SOC"? I imagine it has something to do with charge, or capacity, or some other "c" word...

Thanks.

 

[I33t]

State Of Charge...

 

[jelloslug]

I would like to see the tinted rear glass option available in the US.

 

[WoodlandHills]

Ultraturtle, thanks for the tutoring in how to use the range extender. I think that is the clearest and most specific explanation of the subject that I have seen.

 

[tiburonh]

I drove a REx for 2 days and it's not safe on the highway, if the charge is under 6% and the REx has engaged. Unless you drive below 70 and don't go up even the slightest grade, you just can't rely on it not to severely reduce your speed.

Since this point frequently comes up, I'd like to point out that it is not always the case. I've driven continuously at 75 mph on rolling terrain in comfort mode, air conditioning set a 68 degrees with an OAT of about 80 degrees for a little over 100 miles after the automatic switch to REx operation, with no loss of power on extended climbs of several hundred feet, and never without the potential for full throttle acceleration for a quick pass. Common sense would dictate that adverse conditions like strong headwinds or very low temperatures might necessitate a somewhat lower average speed.

Many other members of this forum have had similar experiences.

In more hilly terrain, the following graph from BMW’s W20 Engine Technical Training document suggests a strategy to maintain charge as one approaches an extended incline:

Simply maintain exactly 90 km/h (56 mph) – no slower, no faster (perhaps slowing to 70 km/h (44 mph) once SOC drops below ~ 1% (1 mile range remaining is a close enough approximation) .

Well prior to the climb, 90 km/h (56 mph) is the slowest speed at which the REx engine will output its maximum power in the 3.5% - 6.5% SOC range (~20 kW engine power, or 18.8 kW electrical output at 3500 RPM). Maintain 56 mph until your range remaining indication bumps up to the white triangle (about 5 miles), then you can speed up a bit, but slow back to 56 mph once range drops to abeam the left edge of the white triangle (~3-4 miles).

Any slower than 56 mph, and the RPM and power drops. Any faster, more energy is consumed and less excess power is available to bring the SOC up to 6.5% for the beginning of the climb.

Once you have recuperated enough SOC to remain within the center to left edge of the white triangle (~5 miles of range) and the climb begins you can speed up as you wish, but again back off to 56 mph once range drops below the left edge of the triangle (~4). On crazy steep inclines, SOC may continue to reduce, but the REx system will respond by increasing electrical power through 21.6 kW @ 4000 RPM at 2.5% SOC, all the way to maximum electrical output of 23.5 kW @ 4300 RPM at 1.5% SOC.

There are limits to how steep a climb the i3 REx can maintain at 56 mph, so if range drops to ~1 (0.7% SOC), you can back off to 44 mph and still be assured that the REx system is maintaining maximum electrical output.

It would also be wise to switch to ECO Pro + at this point - as Scottie would say "Divert all remaining power to main thrusters".

Unless you purposefully exceed the design parameters above that BMW gave us, you'll continue on your way with no problems.

Good grief! Sounds like operating the REX is more complicated -- and more dangerous -- than piloting the space shuttle. Further affirmation for me that I was wise to stick with the BEV and not spend the extra money required for the REX.

 

[ultraturtle]

Good grief! Sounds like operating the REX is more complicated -- and more dangerous -- than piloting the space shuttle. Further affirmation for me that I was wise to stick with the BEV and not spend the extra money required for the REX.

Not really. All you have to remember is a single number as your SOC depletes past the white triangle - 56 mph, and you'll be fine. We're talking about the far less than 1% case here - both battery depletion and extended climb.

Beats leaving the i3 in the garage and the need to own or rent an ICE vehicle for trips a few miles beyond the BEV's range.

 

[Matto0]

Hopefully Apple Car Play!