Towards the end of 2017, BMW South Africa released local pricing for its facelifted i3. But now, with the updated version of the electric car set to launch on our shores in May 2018, the Munich-based brand?s local arm has bumped up pricing a little further.
Prepare yourself for a little maths…
Back in November, an official BMW price bulletin had the facelifted i3 listed at R612 500, with the i3 REx coming in at R689 300. The latest price list, however, has the pure-electric model down at R631 700 and the range-extender model at R710 900 (so, up R19 200 and R21 600 on the initially reported figures). Compared with the outgoing, pre-facelift models, these prices represent respective increases of R24 900 and R27 300.
Pricing for the sportier i3s derivative, meanwhile, has yet to be released, since this model is scheduled to arrive in South Africa only in the fourth quarter of the year.
Styling updates for the refreshed BMW i3 include a new black finish for the A-pillars, fresh exterior paint options, LED headlamps as standard, restyled front (with new LED indicators) and rear aprons and some added chrome.
The powertrains of the i3 and i3 REx remain untouched. A synchronous electric motor still generates 125 kW and 250 N.m, facilitating a claimed zero to 100 km/h time of 7,3 seconds (in the pure-electric i3) and a limited top speed of 150 km/h. BMW says the lithium-ion high-voltage battery sited in the vehicle floor provides a range of up to 300 km.
