HomeRun Edition of BMW i3 signals end of production for the EV

The Leipzig manufactured BMW i3 was part of the start of electrification for the German automaker but now, 9 years later its production run has come to an end and a special HomeRun Edition will be its final hoorah. 

The little city car may seem insignificant to us with the few in South Africa quietly traversing from A to B but in 2011, they signalled the start of the future for the Bavarian automaker. In conjunction with the slightly more exciting and exotically styled i8, they initiated the electrified ‘i’ sub-brand which has now grown into a full portfolio. With production for the 2 door coupe ending in 2020, so will the BMW i3 this year. 

It’s been an impressive run with 250 000 units sold over this time but as part of its final hoorah, BMW will offer the i3 HomeRun Edition which will be limited to only 10 vehicles. The updates include 20-inch wheels, adaptive headlights, solar control glazing and an electric glass roof for the exterior. It can be finished in either Frozen Dark Grey or Frozen Red II which will be the only time these were available in its production history. On the inside, a Harman Kardon sound system plays the beats while leather is used on every conceivable surface. 

The i3 model which has only enjoyed one generation through its lifetime is testament to how quickly the technology which propels it has come. Originally offered with a 130 km range in 2014, the year in which it first went on sale, the latest editions were able to achieve as much as 260 km between charges all thanks to larger, more efficient battery packs. 

The Leipzig manufacturing plant which created this quirky hatchback will remain an electric assembly line and focus on the next-generation Mini Countryman EV as well as the assembly of e-drive components and batteries from next year.