From the continental marathon to showrooms in Romania, the prices, features and success of the new BMW i3
The landscape of high-performance electric vehicles is reaching a new historical milestone. The new BMW i3, in the advanced 50 xDrive version, has just demonstrated that massive autonomy and lightning-fast charging speed are no longer just promotions on paper, but an undeniable reality. The German model shattered expectations in the famous Paneuropeana competition, setting an absolute record for efficiency and minimum time spent at public sockets on a continental route of thousands of kilometers.
Anatomy of a Pan-European record: 5886 kilometers with only 2 hours and 46 minutes of charging
The Paneuropean competition, a renowned benchmark in testing the limits of zero-emission cars, was created to evaluate the real-world behavior of electric vehicles in extreme road conditions. The classic route starts from the North Cape (Norway), the northernmost point of continental Europe accessible by car, and ends in Tarifa (Spain), the southernmost point of the continent.
- Total distance and driving mode: The new BMW i3 50 xDrive covered a total of 5,886 kilometers, crossing motorways, national roads and congested urban areas.
- Time spent at the outlet: The astonishing performance consisted of the car being parked at public fast charging stations for a total of only 2 hours and 45 minutes (approximately 2 hours and 46 minutes officially timed).
- Driving time and average speed: Actual driving time stopped at 3 days, 2 hours and 41 minutes, resulting in an average travel speed of 79.7 km/h, despite route constraints.
- Enviable efficiency: The on-board computer recorded an average energy consumption of only 12.5 kWh/100 km, an extremely low value for a spacious 469 horsepower sedan.
800V architecture and leading technology for top performance
The secret behind this remarkable success is due to the new advanced technologies implemented by the Munich-based manufacturer on the new generation of the model.
- Powertrain: The i3 50 xDrive version relies on a two-motor system (xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive), delivering a total power of 469 hp and a maximum torque of 645 Nm. This configuration propels the vehicle from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.7 seconds.
- Battery capacity and range: Equipped with a high-density battery pack of 108.7 kWh (useful), the model promises an official range of up to 912 kilometers in the WLTP cycle.
- Charging power: Thanks to the advanced electrical architecture at 800V, the car reached an average charging power of 275 kW throughout the marathon, while the maximum capacity accepted at high-power DC stations goes up to 400 kW, allowing huge distances to be recovered in just a few minutes of standstill.
Prices, equipment levels and availability on the Romanian market
After its international debut, the German manufacturer brought the new model to the attention of the public in our country, officially opening order lists on the local market.
- Commercial launch stages: Sales began in the first phase with the special launch edition BMW i3 50 xDrive First Edition, offered at a base price in Romania of 72,086 euros including VAT. Later, the range expanded with the introduction of regular series versions, the model having a starting price starting at 62,436 euros including VAT.
- Top standard equipment: The launch version First Edition brings futuristic features and cutting-edge technologies as standard, such as the innovative Panoramic Vision visual concept, advanced driver assistance packages (Driving Assistant), aerodynamically optimized light alloy wheels and the BMW Digital Key Plus function, which turns the smartphone into a secure digital key.
- Market Positioning: Through the combination of a competitive price for its premium class, massive autonomy that overcomes any distance anxiety, and proven performance in efficiency marathons, the new BMW i3 is quickly becoming one of the most attractive electric options on the domestic market for customers oriented towards innovation and pure technology.
