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TonyWilliams,
I know the author @cneff and I believe that he has conveyed that this was his first time in a track if not on the article at least in some communications that I have had with him. I don't think that you should besmirch Chris's communication as you seem to imply in your statements. Point of clarification, Chris was actually not a lessor of the Mini E, his employer, at the time, was and that's how he got into it.
I drive an Active E, Model S, and Roadster and I can tell you that the regen on ALL three cars are comparable to each other. Which is one of the primary reasons that we bought the Teslas (in addition to the range, of course.)
So, it's a matter of taste. Chris obviously enjoyed his ride. I, for one, am jealous that he got the opportunity, but would not have spent ten hours being filmed, etc. for this. In fact, BMW i should be applauded for finally jumping in feet first into the EV world. We, the consumers, can only benefit when competition drives Tesla to more affordable cars and to force them to keep a lead.
BMW does, and at least it's a lot more interesting than stupid Polar Bears hugging drivers.
...
I'm sure I would have enjoyed the ride, too, and the great looking race car driver didn't hurt. I think it's awesome that BMW certainly appears poised to go into EV's in a bigger way, but I gotta say the hyperbole from BMW kind of turns me off. They were NOT the first to develop a ground up EV as they suggest, nor did they sell "100,000" i3's on their website, as readers were left to believe, etc, etc.
...All that EV love, and then a pot shot at the world EV leader Nissan? Yes, I think EV's in general should get away from the stereotypical ugly "golf cart" sized car, because the public actually buys Camry's and Malibu's. Tesla is absolutely on the right track, but I think BMW severely missed the boat on a sexy, cool looking car. Heck, if it looked cool, there would be no question how it handled; everybody would assume it was awesome!
Yes, I know people love their ugly dogs, and I'm sure they will love the i3, too.
Somewhat disagree with you on this one. Compliance EVs (limited quantities, only available in limited areas, sometimes sold at a loss, halo-only, etc.) often do more harm to the cause than good, IMO.Let's face it, we need to be thankful for every last EV that comes to market. Be it a Tesla, BMW, Leaf, Spark, 500e, etc..... The more EV's on the road, the sooner they are accepted by the general public, the sooner the masses will buy EV.
Somewhat disagree with you on this one. Compliance EVs (limited quantities, only available in limited areas, sometimes sold at a loss, halo-only, etc.) often do more harm to the cause than good, IMO.
Spark owners (and potential owners) are already on the path to EV transition. Again, in net -- more harm than good -- is my concern. I agree there's some good, but just far more damage comes from the "these aren't real, they only sold 1000 of them, the manufacturers are selling at a loss" that is reinforced by the compliance crap. Compliance does more to increase FUD than counter it.Compliance or not (Sparks) these Spark owners have told me their next cars are going to be Teslas and that all their friends love going for rides in the Spark just because its silent (more future EV buyers). These are all people who would have had less/zero exposure to EV unless the Sparks, 500e's and EV Fits (of which there are several in my town) were around. Today it may be compliance, tomorrow it may be the buying public demanding more EV's.
I took an i3 for an extended test drive, here in the UK.
Boy was I impressed by the handling and interior.... I've owned several Lotus & Porsche for their fine handling balance (great for twisty, narrow, UK country roads, as well as 'track days') ... and the steering and handling is sublime ... probably pushes the roadster off best handling EV spot (ok at 8.5/10 as I had a BMW guy in passenger seat
If it wasn't for the exterior design I would have bought it there and then.... somehow BMW 'lost their bottle' between the concept car and the production version.
Gone has the lower door glass, and the sweeping 'airflow inspired' side profile shared with the brilliant i8, to be replaced by what looks like a front door off a ford van, and a rear door with the last bit of the 'airflow' still 'bitten out' of it, like a half chewed biscuit [cookie in US speak ] .... !!!!
concept car:
View attachment 38813
i3 with i8 as originally intended: see the styling / familly similarities ?
View attachment 38814
Now unfortunately the production i3 has been touched by the 'ugly stick' ...... the ghost of Chris Bangle ?
View attachment 38816
Whoa, did you guys see the size of the frunk? you can probably fit one bag of groceries and that's it. I don't think they designed this car well at all in terms of cargo space.
I think he's talking about the frunk, which is tiny (Spark EV doesn't have one).I think you have to look it one more time (closely this time kidding :wink it has decent cargo space for sure.. (way better than spark ev for sure)
I think he's talking about the frunk, which is tiny (Spark EV doesn't have one).
For the i3, it's a nice place to put your mobile charger and extension cords, but there's not enough space for much else.ah that make sense.. frunk is useless concept (that's my opinion not throwing insult to model s since it has bigger one)