BMW i3 production ends

After nine years and 250,000 examples sold, the pure-electric 2022 BMW i3 has ended production at the German car-maker’s Leipzig plant, with no replacement in sight.

Instead, the new 2022 BMW iX1 will act as the Bavarian brand’s entry-level all-electric model, while the i3 production line will swap over to produce the next-generation MINI Countryman from next year.

According to BMW, lack of popularity did not play a role in the decision to axe the i3, with demand in some of its 74 global markets seeing the EV hatch carve a higher market share than equivalent BMW combustion engines.

Helping mark the end of an era for the i3, an exclusive BMW i3 HomeRun Edition has been produced that is available in either a special two-tone Frozen Dark Grey or Frozen Dark Red II paint.

The HomeRun Edition also features 20-inch double-spoke alloy wheels, an electric glass roof with solar glazing and adaptive LED headlights.

Inside, there’s Vernasca Dark Truffle leather trim and a leather-wrapped instrument panel and steering wheel, all contrasted with a grey roof lining.

Finally, the BMW i3 HomeRun comes with ambient interior lighting, puddle lamps, heated seats, parking sensors, a rear-view camera, wireless charging and a premium sound system.

BMW says it made just 10 BMW i3 HomeRun Editions, with all the owners present on the production line to witness their new cars being built.

First previewed as a concept back in 2011, BMW finally introduced its novel i3 in 2013 as a test-bed to coax buyers into zero-emissions cars.

The company says the plan largely worked, claiming around 80 per cent of i3 buyers were new to the brand although profit margins were thought to be low due to its advanced and fiendishly expensive carbon-fibre underpinnings (to provide for a range up to 370km).

Due to its relatively lithe kerb weight, some owners of even the very first i3s are still driving around on their original brakes, with a set of pads reportedly claimed to last more than 250,000km, thanks to its high levels of brake regeneration.

BMW claims real-world feedback also proved the durability of its battery technology, prompting it to extend its warranty offered for EVs from 100,000km 160,000km (both over eight years).

Not confirmed by BMW is that another motivating factor behind the BMW i3’s demise is to end any confusion of the small hatch with the all-electric version of the 3 Series that carries an identical ‘i3’ nameplate, although that car is only currently available in China.

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