BMW’s award-winning i3 is already known as one of the most fun-to-drive battery electric vehicles on the market with its torquey motor and classic German handling characteristics. It’s about to get even better when the sportier 2018 i3s arrives early next year.

Both the drive system and suspension have been upgraded and as a result there is an increase to output as well as big improvements to on-road agility. Total horsepower is now 184, and torque 199 lb-ft. The i3s sits on speciality springs, dampers and anti-roll bars giving the EV a 10 millimetre lower ride height capable of cornering much flatter than the standard variant.

Drivers can control just how sporty the experience is using the dynamics control switch. After activating the new Sport mode, the accelerator instantly becomes more responsive, and the steering firmer. In this setting, the car can get from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds. A gasoline Range Extender engine remains an option.

To complement the boost in performance, the exterior is bolder than on the standard i3. To match the black roof and centre panels both on the front and rear of the vehicle, the A-pillars, parts of the BMW kidney grille and a few other trim pieces are finished in a high gloss black. Underneath the full LED headlights are coloured accent strips painted BMW I Blue or Frozen Grey that help show off the extra 40 millimetres in track width. 

All i3 models benefit from the latest iDrive 6 user interface responsible for controlling everything from communications to infotainment. If equipped with the Navigation Professional, the 10.25-inch screen features a higher-resolution display. Voice commands can be executed more simply than before via Natural Language Understanding functionality. For example, the computer recognizes casual phrases such as “find the closest gas station,” similar to how smartphone voice assistants work.

More information will be available when the 2018 BMW i3S officially premieres at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt this month. 

Operating an EV sometimes has its challenges, and one of them is being cognizant of battery limitations and adjusting your driving habits accordingly. In hotter weather especially, there are certain things to be aware of in order to squeeze out the most range possible for those impromptu drives out of town.

Air conditioning

When the sun is beating down, not using air con might seem crazy. Just remember, while running, it’s using up energy that could otherwise be allocated to moving the car. The higher the setting, the more juice is consumed. Some models have a preconditioning feature allowing you to control the climate settings remotely while the vehicle is still plugged in, or simply adjust it manually. Parking in the shade or in a covered area can also reduce reliance on the A/C.

Audio system

What’s a road trip without tunes? I’m not saying leave the iPod at home, but it, too, drains the battery. Leave the volume at a reasonable level and when you’re talking to someone or otherwise not listening, avoid leaving the stereo on in the background.

Cargo area

Summertime is chock full of activities requiring gear of some sort, whether it’s beach equipment, kayak paddles, a tent, the list goes on. Every extra kilogram of weight requires the car to work that much harder to get going. Don’t treat the vehicle as a rolling storage unit and remove items unlikely to be used at the immediate destination.

Eco mode

Most EVs possess an “Eco” mode that can be activated via a button press or twist of a dial. There are a variety of functions this encompasses, from limiting acceleration performance to modulating climate control all in the name of conserving power.

Driver information

Depending on the manufacturer, the EV will have some kind of graphical representation of how energy is being distributed and utilized displayed. There may also be a menu option to provide an eco score based on the driving style observed by the computer last trip, with tips for improvement.