With a range extender if you want it, though...
And looks so cute all at the same time! This is the BMW i3.
BMW announced their i electric brand in 2011, with the i3 coupe concept following in 2012 at the LA Auto Show. This concept, of course, turned into the i3 as we now know it, with its BMW-developed electric motor making 125kW, batteries under the floor, and optional 2 cyliner range extender generator making another 25kW. This is all good for a range of about 160km (100mi), or 320km (200mi) with the range extender.
Wrapped in skinny but relatively large wheels, and with an interior clad in bamboo and other earth-friendly materials, this little car looks a little strange, but if you live in a city with a relatively short commute, it seems like a pretty great option to get around!
Matchbox did an awesome job on the model. Proportions seem pretty nice, if maybe a tad narrow, and of course the wheels are like three times as wide as they are on the 1:1, but who can say no to fat tires, right? And the split-ten spokes look great.
Sparkly black is at the same time bland but nice, but it does hide the cool body lines a little bit. I hope matchbox puts a nicer color on the upcoming i8 in 2018.
The interior is very well done. It’s extremely detailed, and looks very close to the real car, as far as I can tell! And the tampos on all four sides are superb. The blue lines on the flank are so subtle, but I’m glad they were included.
I haven’t seen these on the pegs anywhere yet (when did they even come out?), but I saw a guy on instagram had one that he was trying to let go, and for some reason no one was biting, so I snagged it.
Enjoy your Tuesdays today, and, as Jobjoris says, “Tschüss!!”
