BMW has unveiled the i3 eDrive35L, an all-electric four-door sedan based on the long-wheelbase version of the 3 Series that will be available in China from May 2022. The model that appeared in a series of leaked photos last December will be assembled locally and tailored to the needs of Chinese customers. The electric sedan expands BMW’s EV range while hinting at the upcoming revamped 3 Series.
The first electric 3 Series car
The first all-electric 3 Series, as BMW calls it, is called the i3 eDrive35L to distinguish it from the old i3 hatchback. As for the design, it gets a new set of LED headlights that will most likely be transferred to the renewed 3 Series range, a covered kidney grille that signifies its electric nature, a redesigned front bumper with different air intakes, new side skirts similar to those of the i4, aerodynamic wheels, in addition to a new bumper or rear bumper with integrated diffuser. BMW did not show images of the interior, but confirmed that it has the latest operating system 8.
The measurements of the car
The i3 eDrive35L has a wheelbase of 2966 mm (116.8 inches) which, according to our math, is 115 mm (4.5 inches) longer than the regular Series 3 and 5 mm (0.2 inches) longer than the Series 3 Li (China) and the 3-Series Gran Limousine (India). With a length of 4,872 mm (191.8 mm), the EV is also 43 mm (1.7 inches) longer than the aforementioned models, due to the redesigned bumpers or bumpers. However, the electric conversion had its effect on the trunk, which is 410 liters (14.5 cubic feet) versus the 480 liters (17 cubic feet) of the ICE-powered long-wheelbase Series 3.
The mechanical capabilities of the car
The model is equipped with the Gen5 eDrive powertrain already used in the iX, i4 and iX. Here, the rear-mounted electric motor produces 282 horsepower (210 kW / 285 PS) and 400 Nm of torque, allowing acceleration from 0 to one hundred kilometers per hour in 6.2 secondsm, something acceptable in the case of a car of these maximities.
The floor-mounted battery has a capacity of 70.3 kWh gross or about 66.1 kWh net which is good for a range of 526 kilometers of travel or about 327 miles measured under CLTC protocols with an energy consumption of 14.3 kWh/100 km. BMW says the battery can charge up to 95 kW DC and 11 kW AC. In the fastest charging option, the battery needs 35 minutes to charge from 10 to 80 percent, adding 97 kilometers or about 60 miles of range in 10 minutes.
Bring some important adjustments
The R&D department of BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd has locally adjusted the suspension specifically for Chinese road conditions. In the same context, several components were adapted to the requirements of the supply chain in China. The i3 eDrive35L will be assembled exclusively for the Chinese market in Lydia Shenyang by BMW Brilliance Automotive Ltd.
Along with the unveiling of the new car, BMW also released other interesting images of its entire electric range, including the i3, i4, i3 eDrive35L, iX, iX3, upcoming iX1 and flagship i7 which will debut on April 20 at Beijing 2022. Car show.
Another eye-catching aspect is that they include the BMW CE 04 electric scooter, as well as the MINI Cooper SE, which will soon be replaced by a new all-electric generation of the MINI Hatch. Overall, the BMW Group (BMW, Mini, Rolls-Royce) wants electric vehicles to account for half of its global sales by 2030.
