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BMW i3 v BMW M3 drag race

1266_BMW_i3_v_BMW_M3_drag_race

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8 November 2013

THE UK launch of the BMW i3 – call it the German take on the electric car – saw groups of journalists driving out to ex-F1 circuit Brands Hatch in a fleet of brand new i3s.

When we got there, we were unleashed on the track. 

In an unexpected twist, BMW lined up professional instructors in a pair of V8-powered M3s, the idea being that we’d drag-race them from a standing start to 60mph, the classic Sweeney traffic-light test. 

In the clip here, we opened up the windows of the i3 and filmed out of the driver window. 

Apart from the wonderful theatre of the M3 V8, which howls gloriously, you can see that the i3 stays ahead initially because its wall of immediately available torque, delivered with no gear changes and crossed with low kerb weight, makes it a true super-car baiter in the 0-40mph stakes.  

The M3, initially bogged down by its higher weight and inertia, settles into its stride and eventually takes the i3, but only in the 50-60mph segment. 

The day before, on a sopping wet track, the i3 gripped better and beat the M3 all the way to the chequered flag. One of my colleagues disbelieved the result and asked to drive the M3 for himself, having accused BMW of under-driving the M3.

He lost! 

Read our car review of the BMW i3

Click here: BMW i3 – Could this be the car to convince your business to go electric?

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Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton is an award-winning journalist and the founder of Business Car Manager (now renamed Business Motoring). Ralph writes extensively about the car and van leasing industry as well as wider fleet and company car issues. A former editor of What Car?, Ralph is a vastly experienced writer and editor and has been writing about the automotive sector for over 35 years.

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