Auto Express UK test drives and compares the BMW i3 and
the Volkswagen e-Golf.
The
e-Golf is VW’s first bet for the electric market and will launch this fall. The
i3 is the only one of the three electric vehicles to be considered a premium
product and has recently launched in the United States.
The
e-Golf and Leaf follow a conventional design with seating five passengers and a
look and feel that resembles a “regular” vehicle. BMW gave the i3 a more
futuristic look and a departure from the classic BMW design, a move that is
equally loved and hated by the media and consumers.
The
e-Golf’s 114 bhp electric motor delivers all 270 Nm of torque from standstill.
The 0 to 62 mph is 10.4 sec and 85mph top speed. Far more telling is the 4.2 sec
time from 0-37mph, which is even faster than the Golf GTI hot hatch.
The BMW
i3 is the first of the BMW i vehicles constructed from the ground up primarily
of carbon fibre to enter the U.S. market. With 170 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque hybrid-synchronous electric motor, the fully electric BMW i3 is
electrified by a 22-kWh lithium-ion battery, good for 80-100 miles of
emission-free driving. Agile and engaging to drive, the BMW i3 is ideally
suited for dense urban areas. The BMW i3 has a base MSRP of $41,350 and the
range-extender model will have a starting MSRP of $45,200.
I3
With innovative
engineering and the use of advanced composite materials, the i3 is a
ground breaking electric car that’s fast, good to drive and practical. But
beyond the technology, the funky cabin and futuristic looks give it the
desirability factor EVs have traditionally lacked. If you can cope with the
range limitations, then it’s a very tempting proposition. And it just edges
victory over the worthy but less exciting VW.
Volkswagen E-Golf
The e-Golf is another
excellent electric car from Volkswagen. It’s a well engineered and
good-to-drive EV, with a similar real-world range to the i3. The Golf won’t
turn as many heads as the i3, but its traditional image is a plus for some.
However, it trails the BMW on performance, plus the ride is firm and the
handling slightly blunted. More importantly, it lacks the all-round
desirability of its futuristic rival.
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