Overseas pricing for the all-electric BMW i3 has been released, giving us an indication of how the new model may be positioned when it arrives in Australia next year.
The BMW i3 will reach Germany in November priced at 34,950 euros, the UK at the same time priced at £25,680 and the US in the second quarter of 2014 for $41,350 – which excludes a $925 destination and handling fee.
By comparison, the BMW 3 Series sedan, which is priced from $50,900 locally, starts at 28,900 euro ($41,147) in Germany, £23,185 ($38,436) in the UK and US$32,550 ($35,137) in North America.
This overseas pricing structure would suggest a local price of slightly more than $60,000 for the all-electric BMW i3. The i3 will go on sale in Australia in mid 2014, though at this stage BMW is yet to confirm whether it will offer the pure-electric model, the plug-in hybrid, or both in our market. This estimated pricing would put the i3 above the Nissan Leaf EV (normally priced at $51,500 but being offered for $39,990 driveaway until October 30) and the $59,990 Holden Volt plug-in.
In electric form, the 125kW/250Nm BMW i3 claims to offer a range of up to 160km. BMW says pricing for the range extender version, which features an additional 650cc two-cylinder petrol engine to maintain battery charge and extend range to approximately 290km, will be announced at a later date.
The BMW i3, seen this year in patent images and undergoing testing, will make its international debut on July 29 at simultaneous events in London, New York and Beijing, where full details on the model’s range will be revealed.
