BMW prepping sporty S version of the i3 electric car

BMW has confirmed the details of its updated i3 electric hatchback, along with the debut of the sporty i3s version, and both will put in an appearance at the Frankfurt motor show in two weeks' time.

The i3s gets an extra 14hp from its electric motor, for a total of 184hp (compared with the standard i3’s 170hp) plus an extra 20Nm of torque (270Nm versus the standard i3’s 250Nm). It also boasts lower suspension (by 10mm) and wider front tyres (by 20mm – the i3 has famously narrow front tyres for the benefit of aerodynamic performance), while the track is a full 40mm wider, whichshould lead to sharper, sportier handling (not that the standard i3 was ever especially lacking in such sensations). On top of that, the suspension is retuned for the S, and there’s the addition of a Sport mode – denied to the standard car – for the Driving Experience Control.

All of which knocks 0.4 seconds off the 0-100km per hour time – the i3s will do that sprint from standstill in 6.9 seconds, while the regular version takes 7.3 seconds. The i3s also has a fractionally higher top speed: 160km per hour compared with 150km per hour.

While the standard i3 continues to claim an NEDC official one-charge range of 300km (or more with the optional range-extender on-board petrol engine), the i3s has a slightly shorter claimed range of 280km. BMW says both models will manage a realistic 200km in everyday driving.

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New bumpers

The standard car’s looks have been very slightly tweaked, with new bumpers front and rear, and new LED headlights now standard across the range. The roof and door pillars can be had in a contrast black colour, while there are new paint options, including Melbourne Red and Imperial Blue.

You can also specify a new “Lodge” interior style, which includes a new seat surface in a mix of Solaric Brown natural leather and sheep wool.

The i3s gets a chunkier bodykit, and more aggressive-looking 20-inch alloy wheels, while both models get an infotainment upgrade to the latest version of iDrive, with its tile menu layout. That also comes with new connected services, including a car-to-car hazard warning system, on-street parking availability search, and over-the-air updates for the satnav map.

BMW has also developed a new charging cable that, working with a new version of the BMW i wall-mounted charger, can top up either car’s charge by as much as 180km in three hours, five times faster than the old standard cable.