BMW has fitted a new, higher-capacity battery to its electric i3. As a result, the range is extended considerably compared with the original model.

The new 94Ah battery fitted to both the BMW i3 and the BMW i3 Range Extender models replaces the current 60Ah version and has a capacity of 33kWh thanks to the higher storage density of the lithium ion cells. The battery dimensions remain unchanged with more than a 50 per cent range increase in the standard NEDC cycle. This equals a range of 195 miles in everyday driving. The motor propels the BMW i3 from zero to 62mph in 7.3 seconds (BEV) which BMW says makes the i3 both the sportiest and most efficient electric vehicle in its segment

The high-voltage battery in the BMW i3 consists of eight modules (each with 12 individual cells), and its capacity has increased significantly without any changes in structure or exterior dimensions. It is the optimisation of the cell-internal packages with more electrolyte and the adaptation of the active material that has increased cell capacity to 94Ah and overall battery energy to 33kWh.

The claimed range, on a full battery charge with the air conditioning or the heating on has been significantly increased to 195 miles.

Prices for the new models are £27,830 for the battery-only version and £30,980 when fitted with the range extender petrol engine (after £4,500 OLEV Government grant).

With an average power consumption of 12.6kWh/100m (in the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) for the battery-ply version and 11.3kWh/100km for the i3 Range Extender, BMW says the i3 is the most economical electrically powered car of its size and output class, the equivalent of a diesel engine achieving 470.8mpg. The emissions of the BMW i3 94Ah with Range Extender amounts to 12g/km, a 1g/km reduction in comparison to the previous model while the exclusively electrically powered BMW i3 produces zero emissions locally.

The new model also benefits from DC Rapid-charge as standard. AC charging is now multi-phase allowing charging of 3.7, 7.4 or 11 kW, this represents a 50 percent increase compared to the previous BMW i3 60Ah. This means the charging time for the BMW i3 (94Ah) is less than three hours, in spite of the significantly larger battery capacity. The new BMW i3 94Ah can also be charged at home using a standard three-pin plug or by specifying a BMW i Wallbox.

The Range Extender delivers a maximum output of 38hp and powers a generator in order to produce electricity. It operates on a needs-based principle. As soon as the charging level of the lithium ion batteries drops to a certain level, the Range Extender kicks in to keep the charging level constant thus extending the range by 81 miles in everyday conditions.

The BMW i3 94Ah will be available in the colour Protonic Blue with its Frozen Grey metallic highlight. Previously, this paintwork was reserved for the BMW i8 hybrid sports car.

There are also more personalisation options than before.