1st US-Based BMW i3 All-Electric Car Debuts in Boston

Once the BMW i3, the German automaker’s first all-electric vehicle, arrives on our dealer lots, it could pose a serious competition for more established green cars. Look out, Toyota Prius and Chevy Volt. The EPA says the i3 has a combined fuel economy of 124 miles per gallon, making it the most fuel-efficient car sold in the U.S.

Check out the rest of what the i3 brings to the table.

BMW says the i3 boasts an “incomparable,’’ nearly noiseless driving experience thanks to its eDrive power train and sound-absoring textiles in the car’s interior.

The i3 offers a roomy interior made of sustainable materials, allowing passengers to sit higher and exit and enter the vehicle comfortably. The interior lacks a central tunnel which makes entering and leaving the car from opposite sides relatively easy.

The i3 offers four different interior design models – Atelier, Loft, Lodge, and Suite.

The i3 also features ConnectedDrive Services to help navigate drivers to the their destination in the most efficient way possible. Meanwhile, the BMW i Remote App offers consumers a way monitor their cars’ performance and find nearby charging stations via their smartphone. A BMW i Wallbox is also available for charging the vehicle at home.

The car is not only emission-free, but BMW says that its sustainable design makes it the ideal vehicle for navigating urban environments and addressing mobility challenges posed by highly populated cities.

Several different color choices will be available for the i3 eventually. Choices will include Andesite Silver with Highway Blue (pictured), Solar Orange with Frozen Gray Metallic, and Arravani Grey with highlight BMW i Blue. All will have the i3’s signature black streak down the middle.

The i3 is powered by a a 22 kilowatt lithium-ion battery that gets 80 to 100 miles of emission-free driving and has a manufacturers suggested retail price (MSRP) of $41,350. The range-extender model will have a MSRP of $45,200.