Well done, Germany.
BMW’s new i3 50 xDrive carries a claimed range of up to 912km WLTP. That is a number worth celebrating before we start pulling it apart.
Ausgezeichnet. Excellent.
For buyers who admire German cars but have struggled to justify their EV prices, the question is whether this marks a more convincing turn. Engineering ambition matters. So does making the result worth the money.
BMW has put its electric technology into a sedan carrying the weight of the 3 Series name. Its Neue Klasse architecture brings 800-volt technology, bidirectional charging and a claimed peak DC charging rate of up to 400kW.
That deserves attention. The interesting question is whether Germany’s established strengths in comfort, handling and long-distance driving can now be matched by electric range, charging and competitive value.
Mercedes-Benz is making its own statement. Its Australian EQS page quotes up to 810km WLTP. These are different cars, but both figures suggest the German brands are taking the long-distance electric argument seriously.
And Audi? It is already in the conversation. Audi has quoted up to 756km for the A6 Sportback e-tron in its international launch material. What we want to see next is how its Australian offering measures up on range, equipment and price.
None of that makes a laboratory rating a highway promise. BMW’s 912km is a manufacturer WLTP figure for the German market. Weather, speed, tyres, load and driving style will affect what an owner gets.
Nor does 400kW tell us how long the car sustains that power. The useful measure is how much energy goes into the battery during an actual stop, under conditions a driver can reasonably encounter.
Those are questions for testing, not reasons to dismiss the achievement.
We also need to judge the Australian car on its local specification and price. Technical leadership at a price few buyers can reach is only part of the job.
Is this the start of a stronger German challenge? There is enough here to make that a serious question.
For now, give BMW its due. Then get the keys.
Photo: BMW Group. BMW i3 50 xDrive, press image P90657664. Image mirrored and number plate removed by WattCar.