The BMW i3 has topped the electric and hybrid car category in The Sunday Times Top 100 Car list despite the i3 not going on sale until November and customers not having driven the car.

Commenting on the BMW i3 The Sunday Times Driving team concluded: "BMW has bided its time while others took their first tentative steps into the electric car market. 

"The brilliance of the i3 comes not in revolutionary battery technology for there is none, but by being a car someone might consider buying for reasons other than it's electric."

The new BMW i3 is the first model to launch within the BMW i range and customer deliveries start on November 16, priced from £369 a month* or £25,680** OTR.

The UK media, including Fleet News, frove the car last week.  

Two BMW i cars are confirmed for production, the fully-electric BMW i3 megacity vehicle and the plug-in hybrid BMW i8 sports car.

Meanwhile, the BMW i8 will go on sale in the UK in 2014 priced at £99,845 OTR.

Like the i8, the BMW i3 features an all-aluminium chassis combined with a passenger cell made entirely from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic.

As well as the vehicles themselves, BMW i will encompass a range of premium services for mobility aimed at optimising the use of parking spaces, charging infrastructure, ‘smart' navigation systems, intermodal route planning and access to other BMW vehicles on an ‘on-demand' basis.

*Finance based on a 36 month Personal Lease agreements for models stated. Initial payment £2,995.00 inc VAT and contract mileage of 24,000 miles. Figures shown incorporate Government plug-in car grant.  Excess mileage and vehicle condition charges apply. Subject to status and available to over 18's in the UK only (not the Channel Islands or Isle of Man). Retail customers only. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. Prices are correct at the time of going to print (July 2013) and are subject to change without notice. Lease is provided by BMW Financial Services, Europa House, Bartley Way, Hook, Hampshire RG27 9UF. Participating dealers only.

**With £5,000 OLEV Government grant.

 

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