BMW bids farewell to the i3 with an ultra-exclusive HomeRun Edition

KUALA LUMPUR: The production of BMW’s quirky electric compact hatch, the i3, has finally come to an end after running for eight and a half years. The final unit has rolled off the production line at the brand’s Leipzig plant, located in Germany. 

To mark this occasion, BMW introduced an ultra-exclusive special edition model, called i3 HomeRun Edition. Limited to just 10 units, this special version is sprayed with the ‘Frozen paint finish’.

A brief on the BMW i3 history - 

• BMW first showcased the i3 concept at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, followed by the launch of the production model in 2013.
• The car came with an outlandish look as it introduced BMW’s ‘i’ sub-brand to the world, along with the i8. Among its noteworthy design highlights were upright proportions, dipping shoulder line, glass tailgate, rear-hinged doors, and two-tone paintwork.

• It was built on a ‘skateboard’ chassis with the batteries placed between the front and rear wheels across the vehicle’s floor for a low centre of gravity.
• The materials used for producing the i3 were touted as the future by the automaker. It included CFRP (carbon-fibre reinforced plastic) that was shipped from Japan to Washington for processing and then shipped to Germany for fabrication and installation.
• The BMW i3 was initially on offer in two choices - a single motor 125kW electric powertrain or a REx (range-extender) powertrain that added a 647cc two-cylinder motorcycle engine.
• In the first phase, both models were mated to a 22.2kWh lithium-ion battery, but when the car received a facelift in 2017, the automaker introduced a 33.3kWh unit. 
• The i3 S performance trim featuring a wider track and a 135kW motor was also a part of that facelift.

• With more than 2,50,000 units sold during the life span, the i3 enjoyed great success. It was offered in a total of 74 countries and played a key role in getting the brand new customers. At one point of time, more than 80% of the i3 buyers were new to the brand.

So, now that the BMW i3 production has ended, the Leipzig plant will be revamped for the production of the brand’s future electric car, including the next-generation Mini Countryman EV. 

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