BMW i3 World Premiere: Revisiting from Group Classic

While our massively packed schedule for today meant little to no time for me to pen and post any proper stories, it did end on quite an upbeat note at BMW Group Classic, despite our exhausted bodies. With free and unfettered access into Group Classic’s lovely vault of cars and, perhaps more importantly, another look at the i3, under more normal lighting conditions.

While the world premiere gave us our first look, the lighting in the arena did the car few favours. Strong shadows along the sides made it difficult to read its contours, while the illuminated floor washed out the area beneath, lighting up the wheel wells and making the cars appear almost as if they were levitating, flattening the sense of depth in their stance.

Later, at a (slightly) quieter soirée at Group Classic, with most of the other journalists occupied, I had an i3 to myself under “normal” conditions, or at least something closer to the what most of us are used to. And I think it made all the difference. I hope these can give you a better idea of how it looks in a more conventional setting.

And here it is, in its signature Le Castellet Blue shade.

With proper shadow casting and light surfacing to show off its curves and contours, the stance is certainly much better, allowing the car to visually hug the ground and give a more “realistic” presentation to how it looks in real life.

What do you think now?

On a side note, we were also given a closed-door look at the i3’s ICE sibling. While there are some noticeable differences in proportions, largely down to packaging, the Neue Klasse design cues carry over intact.

If anything, the ICE variant comes across as slightly more conventional alongside the i3, though no less fresh or purposeful. Asked to choose, it wasn’t easy between the two; opinions were split almost right down the middle on which we’d rather drive home, given the chance.

For now, though, those not in Munich will have to wait a little longer before seeing the ICE 3 for themselves.

With a small pocket of time tomorrow, it’ll be time to head to the Welt to see if anything new will be on display.