Since the 1990s, China has been the market every carmaker wants to be in. When the country’s economy opened up in the 1980s, the auto industry saw huge investments in preparation for demand for new cars that would explode and make the country the world’s largest market. Because of its gigantic volume, carmakers are even prepared to develop models exclusively for the market because the potential volume justifies the R&D cost.
For BMW, China has become a very important market and in 2021, 846,237 BMW and MINI vehicles were sold there and that was 40% of its global sales for the year. Over the years, the German carmakers has developed long-wheelbase versions of various model series because buyers there want longer cars.
Now, it’s also developed a 3-Series that is fully electric, the first of its type in the world and for now, it is meant only for China. To go on sale in May this year, it has the same shape as a long wheelbase 3-Series sedan (110 mm longer than a standard body) and is badged as a ‘BMW i3 eDrive35L’.
The original i3
That will, of course, makes people a bit puzzled because the i3 that we have known all along was an independent model line and the first volume-produced battery electric vehicle by BMW, and it also introduced the BMW i sub-brand. Entering the market in 2013, it was a B-segment hatchback and had an advanced structure along with new technologies.
At the end of 2019, BMW said the i3 would end production within 5 years and there was no plan for a follow-up generation. This was probably because the new iX range of BEVs was moving into a more prominent position and could be used for a broad spread of segments.
BMW doesn’t explain why it has chosen to offer such a model other than that ’it is perfect fit for the particular requirements of Chinese customers’. It could well be that market studies indicated that there is a segment of customers who still want something looking conventional and also with the generous legroom afforded by a long wheelbase.
Specially adapted for China
From what is known, the model was ready for production at the end of last year and was submitted for homologation. Fine tuning of the suspension systems to Chinese road conditions was carried out by the joint-venture BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd. R&D division, which also adapted some of the car’s componentry to the requirements of the supply chain in China. It will be made at the joint-venture factory in Shenyang.
Gen5 eDrive
The ‘eDrive35L’ in the badge indicated that it will have the latest BMW Gen5 eDrive powertrain already used in the iX3, i4 and iX. The battery pack has a gross capacity of 70.3 kWh and with DC fast-charging, going from 10% to 80% is claimed to take 35 minutes. A full battery pack is expected to provide a range of up to 526 kms. If there is an urgency, a 10-miunte fast-charge can give up to 97 kms of range.
The eDrive powertrain has a rear-mounted electric motor with a maximum output of 210 kW (285 ps) and 400 Nm of torque. Claimed 0-100 km/h time is 6.2 seconds and, of course, the driving dynamics that all BMWs are known and appreciated for will also be available.
Also included on-board will be BMW OS8 operating system and a wide range of digital features and services, like high-end connectivity and the Digital Key.
With the i3 eDrive35L, the BMW Group portfolio of fully electric cars now comprises 6 models. The BMW Group is aiming for fully electric vehicles to account for 50% of its global sales by 2030 as it aims for carbon neutrality.
China now, the world later?
While the new i3 is intended for sale only in China, this may be an initial plan. It is likely that eventually, distributors in other markets will ask for it because customers will also want it as it still has that ‘classic’ look instead of the future-oriented designs of the new iX models.
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