BMW i3s launched at Malaysia Autoshow

By daryl, 11 April 2019

BMW Malaysia has rolled out its first ever all-electric offering in the form of the new BMW i3s. Like a new iPhone, the i3s is essentially an update of Munich’s original compact EV, the i3, packing a 135kW (184bhp) electric motor capable of supplying up to 260km of range. 

With 270Nm piped through a single-speed automatic transmission, the i3s is capable of a 6.9-second century sprint when rallied. The sportiness, for a car of its nature at least, is emphasised by a 10mm drop in ride height and 20-inch light alloy wheels. 

However, the i3S’s eco-centric DNA is still its key selling point. Over 80 percent of all visible surfaces of the vehicle are renewable. This includes sustainable materials like recycled plastics, natural fibres and unbleached eucalyptus wood combined with a carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell which keeps things light and efficient. 

A crucial point from a user’s perspective is the BMW i Wallbox’s ability to deliver 11kW of juice in three hours, which is equivalent to 180km of range. On the go, BMW Malaysia has made things like ConnectedDrive, Concierge Services, Driving Assistant Plus and BMW Navigation System Professional part of the standard package to enhance the driving experience. 

All of this will cost you RM279,000 on-the-road without insurance, inclusive of five years free service and warranty. For suitors on a budget, BMW Financial Services Malaysia is also offering instalment plans from RM3,188 per month (based on 80 percent loan on five-year tenure). 

If you want to see the BMW i3s in the metal, head on the Malaysia Autoshow 2019, which is currently being held at the Mardi Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) until 14 April 2019.