BMW i3s

Step inside the cabin of the BMW i3S, and the hatchback impresses with its futuristic yet non-awkward layout. The cabin feels classy in a typical BMW fashion, however, there are certain elements which take the overall ambience of the car to an altogether different level.

The two-spoke multi-functional steering wheel with the big trapezoidal center boss is one-of-its-kind in the BMW family, and so is the small rectangular full TFT colored instrument console, which has fancy looking display options. There is an additional rectangular touchscreen infotainment system mounted on the center of the dashboard, the upper layer of which has a flowing theme towards the middle.

The main center console in the middle of the dashboard is shaped like a trapezium, and has an array of buttons of the audio system at the top, controls for single-zone climate control in the middle and AC vents at the bottom of it. In the transmission tunnel at the bottom, there are three smartly laid cup holders, behind which are placed the transmission dial as well as controls for the ride modes and other functions. Despite being large in size for a hatchback, the BMW i3S compromises on the front of space at the rear, the ingress and egress to which too isn’t an easy task.

The BMW i3S has got a futuristic design language, which breaks the traditional barriers of its other regular fuel-powered siblings and projects itself as a highly unique looking car. There are many design cues of the BMW i3S which in total make it look very off-beat, and has got a certain sense of quirkiness which might not be liked by all minds.

Save for the dual kidney grille design, the BMW i3S shares nothing with its other siblings from BMW. This electric hatchback gets satin silver surrounds for the grille, and gets sweptback headlamps adjacent to either of the two components of the grille, which have U-shaped daytime running LEDs and LED projectors placed within them. The blue highlights on the vertical C-shaped garnishes for the LED fog lamps look cool too.

The side profile of the BMW i3S might draw a lot of polarized opinions – while some may praise it for the very distinctive design, the quirkiness of it might put off some minds. The BMW i3S gets a four-door design, however, only the front doors, which are much wider and bigger than the rear ones, have outside door handles. The door handles for the rear doors are recessed in the B-pillar and can be operated once you open the front doors.

The significant kinked wave-like window waistline, as well as asymmetrically flowing window frames, adds to the overall heavy visual drama here. The side body cladding over the wheel arches and bottom of the door panels complete the side profile.

At the back, the BMW i3S gains a sense of familiarity, with the hatchback getting sleek and angular LED tail lamps, with L-shaped LED inserts. The entire rear hatch of the BMW i3S has been finished in glossy black, apart from the lower boot housing and bumper.

The BMW i3S is one of the rare cars from the German carmaker to sport a body-on-frame construction, with a suspension combination of Macpherson struts at the front and five-link rear suspension. The driving experience control, featuring multiple drive modes of Sport, Eco and Pro+ offers a dynamic experience behind the wheel. Though, the overall steering wheel isn’t as precise in its feel as the rest of the BMW cars offer.

The no-emission powertrain of the BMW i3S is a 42.2 kWh lithium-ion battery coupled to a motor, which produces a respectable power output of 184 PS and a peak torque output of 270 Nm. The powertrain has a maximum drive range of 325 km.

The BMW i3S is armed with a good amount of safety features, such as front, side and curtain airbags, ABS with EBD, driving assistant plus getting all the autonomous assistance safety features, front and rear park distance control and reverse camera.

The BMW i3S is a coming of age all-electric car, which despite in the market for more than half a decade with minimal changes, still feels as if it is way ahead of its time. Though the extremely extrovert design might take some time to get used to for some, it possesses a sheer amount of futuristic appeal which is irresistible as far as hatchbacks are taken into consideration.