Well it handles like it's top heavy, really poor.
But BMW also claim it's nearly as fast as an M3 in a straight line, which we know is BS
Actually ......
At The UK launch of the BMW i3 a few years ago, I was lucky enough to go along to Brands Hatch with a group of journalists.
In an unexpected twist, BMW had also lined up professional drivers in a pair of V8-powered M3s, the idea being that we’d drag-race them from a standing start to 60mph, the classic Sweeney stylee traffic-light test, to highlight BMW's claim that the i3 is nearly as fast as a M3 in a straight line.
Apart from the wonderful theater and noise of the M3 V8, which howls so, so, gloriously, we weer all surprised that the i3 initially stayed ahead of the M3 in every single drag race because of its mountain of instantly available torque, delivered with no gear changes and that matched with a low kerb weight, makes it a true super-car baiter in the 0-40mph stakes.
The M3, initially bogged down by its higher weight and inertia, settles into its stride and eventually takes the i3, but only once up into the 50-60mph part.
The next day, on a sopping wet track, the i3 gripped better and beat the M3 all the way to the chequered flag every single time.
One of my colleagues disbelieved the results and asked to drive the M3 for himself, having accused the BMW driver of deliberately under-driving the M3, to make the i3 look better.
He lost to!!!!!
So yes in ultimate top speed then of course the M3 will thrash the i3 every time, but in normal daily driving around town and cites, the home of the i3, then the i3 will have the M3 in virtually 9 out of 10 traffic light GP's, so in real world driving the i3 is indeed, in a straight line, faster than the M3, so no it's not BS.
