BMW i3 REx
If you think of a hybrid as a stepping stone between a petrol car and a fully electric, then this range extended BMW is the stepping stone between the older style hybrid and the fully electric car.
In other words, the petrol engine only kicks in when you need it to recharge the battery.
Interesting car, but why all the knobs and dials?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-1OJUatYIY&feature=share
I’ve grown a distaste for the Fully Charged show…. liked some of their earlier episodes, but then they took a long break and the videos have been extremely boring since.
As for the car, meh. I’m spoiled by Tesla, and will automatically compare everything to the Model S, and it’s hard to beat that.
I agree about being spoiled by Tesla Ashley Wilson
Robert Llewellyn took a break to go and film the new series of Red Dwarf. This is only the third episode of Fully Charged since it started up again and I wouldn’t call it boring myself.
Hmmm. 80 miles for 8 quid. That’s about what I get from my big scooter. Smaller engine, but similar size to the BMW 650 that provided the engine for the i3Rex. I suspect that it would carry one Robert sized person the same distance in the same time for the same money and same amount of fuel. But less comfort, obvs.
Makes you wonder if there’s an electric megascoot to be built with a 125/50cc range extender. Perhaps a Honda Genny in the top box.
I liked the i3, except for the brakes. But with regards to the REX .. It can’t keep you at highway speeds without degradation. That, and NVH, is why the Volt’s genset is sized so large. I travel at 85MPH for extended runs across Texas all the time in the Volt. A trade-off for sure.
Why all the knobs and dials? Because its a bloody German car? They love over engineering and making everything over complicated.
Hasn’t Chevrolet’s Volt been this “stepping stone” for years already?
Craig Brunetti Keen observation about the Volt. ;) I’m never buying a 100% ICE car again because of it, and probably even a Tesla next.