The i3 94Ah in pure-EV form is rated by European NEDC standards at 310km, whereas real-world driving conditions, like using the air conditioning and radio, brings this down to 200km, consuming energy at a rate of 12.6kWh/100km. Opting for the 94Ah Range Extender variant raises this NEDC range to 390km, equating to a real-world driving range of 320km, consuming 0.6L/100km and 11.3kWh/100km.

Built around a carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) tub, the i3s is ultra-light (for a battery-electric vehicle), super strong, and unlike anything else on the road. At just over 4.0m long, close to 1.8m wide, and a fraction under 1.6m tall, the i3s is compact, upright, and boxy. A classically polarising design, with some crossing the street to avoid it, and others (like me) loving its unique proportions and stand-out styling. The nose is tall, short and upright, with the distance from the base of the front windscreen to the front axle (car designers call it the ‘dash-to-axle ratio’) unusually short.

The Bavarian EV certainly hasn’t aged badly, retaining a commanding presence, while the deep glasshouse and its vision-enhancing airiness, dashboard minimalism, ergonomic simplicity, creative (and mostly recyclable) material deployment, lovely detailing and pillarless access continue to enrich an impressively roomy cabin. The driving experience, too, remains extraordinary. Perched high SUV-style yet sat back sports-car-style behind the achingly cool two-spoke wheel, the i3 is an enthusiast’s machine, whether leaping straight into action with startling speed in the regular default setting, or should the driver choose the efficiency-prioritising Eco Pro, gliding along with ample power in reserve. Whichever, the BMW’s acceleration always feels energetic. Opting for the 10kW/20Nm stronger 135kW/270Nm i3s (as tested) brings immediacy, oomph and a harder edge.

The i3 sedan contains a 70kWh battery pack which feeds a single electric motor that produces a respectable 210kW of power and 400Nm of torque. The i3 sedan can sprint to 100km/h in 6.3 seconds. Like the iX3 SUV, the i3’s single electric motor is found at the rear of the vehicle – meaning it has RWD, in the tradition of combustion 3 Series vehicles, while the car uses a single-speed automatic transmission.