GT SPORT: Past v Future

Counting down on the upcoming season of The Grand Tour, anyone remember the quick comparison test between the BMW i3 and the VW Golf GTi a couple of months ago? On that episode, both the GTi and the i3 had a drag race and then later, a trip to Devon to see concert at the pub, the trip where the petrol-powered Golf GTi trumped the i3, proving that the past is superior than the future. Let's see about that when I compare these two familiar machines right here on GT SPORT.




Well, here they are, although different than the ones seen in The Grand Tour season finale months ago. In the show, Jeremy drives a Golf GTi with five doors while James drives an i3 with the Range Extender feature. In here, I have a three-door GTi and a standard i3 without the REx feature but still, they act as similar as the ones in the show, giving me the ideal opportunity to get to know about the cars.




First, let's get to know about the car of the past, although it came out from the present times, the Volkswagen Golf GTi. On its seventh generation, the Golf GTi is utilized on the Volkswagen Group's MQB platform, which results to better ride quality and uncompromising safety. Under the hood, the 2.0L four-cylinder turbocharged engine has been upgraded so now it produces 216HP of power, resulting to 0-62mph time of 6.9 seconds and onwards to 152mph. Apart from the performance, the GTi features improved handling such as the improved XDS electronic control differential lock, adaptive chassis control, and progressive steering, making this hot hatch as sporty as hot hatches can get.



Now, what about the car of the future, the BMW i3? Being one of the firsts of BMW's new i sub-brand, the i3 features futuristic styling with unbiased efficiency and dynamics electric car consumers are longing for. The electric motor that powers it produces 167HP of power and 184.4ft-lb of torque, bringing most of the power to the rear wheels, which is rather a surprise for an electric car like this. Although the top speed is just a dismal 93mph, the i3's electric motors deliver peak torque instantly, meaning it can get off the line quicker than the Golf GTi from a standstill, as demonstrated in that Grand Tour episode I mentioned. At full charge, the i3 can go up to 99.4 miles and when set to ECO PRO + with less air conditioning and power saving measures. 124.2 miles of electric range.

It's amazing that I get to meet along the car of the past and the car of the future but the question is, which one will prevail? To find out, I went to Brands Hatch to settle this debate.



You may remember that in the drag race portion of this comparo, despite the i3's peak torque, the Golf GTi managed to overtake the i3 and won, making the future very rubbish on television. So, what about the way it behaves when these two are taken very seriously for that matter?

As I tried these two machines, there is a clear difference between these two as even though the Golf GTi has improved handling compared to the previous GTis of yesteryears, it has a tendency to understeer just like any other front-wheel drive car but it feels so lively to drive with and brings out the GTi's true potential as a hot hatch that you can use it everyday.

The i3 maybe rear-wheel drive but it's no drift machine because of the nature of this electric compact but despite that, it has a healthy handling dynamics because the batteries are mounted in the middle for better weight distribution and because of extensive use of carbon fiber on the interior as well as aluminium chassis, not only it's rigid but also very lightweight.

Now, let's find out which one will be the best on a one lap round Brands Hatch. This will decide which will prevail for the future of driving...



And now, the results...

GTi -1:00.222
i3 - 0:59.622

That was a close call for these two machines because even these cars are between less than a second apart, they really are too close to call when it comes to figuring out which one is the best. I mean come on, I'm starting to admire that the BMW i3 behaves like a Golf GTi in every tangible way and because they're similar in terms of dynamics, looks like the boys are absolutely useless at handling these machines with common sense.



In the battle between the past and the future, it's hard to decide which one will prevail because as the world turns away from fossil fuels, electric cars will become the dominant figure of the future of motoring but some warned that with the rise of electric cars, the world's power supply can't keep up with the trend. In the meantime, while we appreciate the rise of electric cars, the conventional automobile should not be forgotten because even though we spend so much money on refueling our rides, it's safe to say that it was made to get through your ideal points of interests without the drama and as the world's bureaucrats are unleashing a scorched earth policy against petrol and diesel, it could be the ideal time to savor the moment of driving a car with internal combustion engine like there's no tomorrow. And that is the bottom line.

BMW i3

2014 BMW i3

This is quite a bizarre treat for BMW though. Having managed to create some sort of a zero-emission vehicle for the posh people, not to mention that BMW is a luxury car brand like the others, the new BMW i3 is one heck of a posh compact for those who think that the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt are so...(clears throat)...not their type.

It's the first of BMW's new BMW i sub-brand, which in their philosophy, represents visionary electric vehicles and mobility services, inspiring design and a new understanding of premium that is strongly defined by sustainability. The i3 is more than just a city car peddling its zero-emission smug for the masses, it's just another one of those eco cars that goes "smug alert" owners would go for. I said smug, get it? Smug! Desolation of the smug! Oops! I said it again!

Anyway, while eco cars like the Prius, the Insight, the Leaf, and the Volt, among many others continuing their desolation of the smug alert, would the BMW i3 be part of it or is it? First, let's start with the basics but best to hurry up or else I'm totally tripping balls over this one.

2014 BMW i3

At its normal form, the i3 is generated by an electric motor placed in the rear axle which generates 170PS of power and 250Nm of torque. Yes, I see what they did there, that's more than the Nissan Leaf got by about 61PS but 4Nm less. 0-100kph takes 7.2 seconds and top speed limited to 150kph.

What really amazes me is unlike any other electric compacts which runs on front wheels, the i3 runs on rear-wheels, meaning that in theory, you can really make a mess in your neighborhood without knowing it's you. It's like you're doing the whole "it's not me cubicle shoe trick" where people think you're taking a tinkle instead of pooping at the toilet which you just did. Because it's smaller than any other normal EVs but a bit bigger than the ridiculously boring Mitsubishi i-MiEV, I can only imagine a few idiots willing to risk their lives driving one of these at their nearest shopping center. Get it? Amazing!

The normal version looks great when you're looking for some high-voltage hijinks. No, not the whole Brainiac stuff about electricity but you know what I mean. However, if you're looking for some extended trips, BMW offers the i3 an optional range extender engine, meaning you're turning this from Leaf to Volt because the Volt is a PHEV unlike the Leaf which relies on electricity only. Anyway, the REx option uses the 647cc engine direct from one of BMW's mopeds, the C650 GT. Wait a minute, do you really need an i3 with the option of using a petrol engine from a moped?

For the i3 with the REx option, the petrol engine only kicks in when it's low-batt, serving this as a generator to produce electricity to extend the range by about 320km. It may not be qualified as a suitable car that takes you to a trip from your house in Muntinlupa to a park in Baguio but the optional moped engine is quite handy when you need it until it's time for a recharge.

The BMW i3 has the maximum total range when treated right is up to 200km while the one with the REx option, can last up to 340km. As for the batteries, a DC fast charging will take less than 30 minutes, about the same length as two 15-minute episodes of your favorite cartoon, while charging in AC takes about 3 to 6 hours, and it takes 6 to 8 hours when you charge it at your house via an ICCB outlet. Depending on your schedule, it might be best to plan your charging accordingly because if you left with an i3 with less than what you expect, this is like an embarrassing exit from your house to your school with your toast in your mouth.

2014 BMW i3 interior

I'm starting to think that the BMW i3 is becoming the city car that defies the conventions of what a zero-emission electric cars of today have. I think it's becoming more fun to drive not only because it's rear-wheel drive but maybe because of its zero emission that most idiots would do to drive one of these at the malls without causing too much smoke belchings and its compact sizing which makes it very unique. I do really wish to have one of these but because of its 34,950 Euro pricing, I'm afraid that this is too much to pay for this very enjoyable green car which sends Dr. Bunhead into questioning what in a world would he do for this.

2014 BMW i3

Available colors: Ionic Silver mit Akzent BMW i Blau, Arravanigrau mit Akzent BMW i, Blau, Solarorange mit Akzent Frozen Grey metallic, Laurusgrau mit Akzent BMW i Blau, Andesitsilber mit Akzent BMW i Blau, and Capparisweiß mit Akzent BMW i Blau.

Photo: BMW AG