What's the news?

The highly anticipated BMW i3 will be priced from £25,680 when it hits the UK market in November 2013. BMW claims that the i3 will be one of its most important launches in the company's history.

Exterior

The i3 looks nothing like any BMW currently on sale. Aside from the company's signature kidney grille - which is completely blocked off - everything has changed. The blue hue surrounding the front grille is continued down the flanks and around the rear bumper. Its LED headlights have been moulded into a 'U'-shape; as have the rear lights, which are located in the i3's large rear window. The i3 also features angular designs throughout; noticeable on the front and rear bumpers, the window-line and on the fuel filler cap. Saying all that, the final production car has yet to be officially revealed.

Interior

The cabin is also a breath of fresh air for BMW, as the i3 does without the traditional centre console. The gear lever and starter button are mounted on the steering wheel and steering column, allowing for a full bench seat to reside up front. Underneath the large infotainment screen you'll find classic BMW switchgear; however the dashboard does have a basic, clean look to it. Built into the i3's infotainment system is BMW's ConnectedDrive Remote App. This allows the driver to access the i3's data and route information from anywhere; and also gives the option to download a route from an Android or iOS device to the car's satellite navigation remotely. Drivers can even tell it when to start and stop charging; and set a charging timer on it, too.

Mechanicals

The 170hp electric motor fitted to the i3 develops 250Nm of torque from standstill, giving a 0-62mph time of eight seconds and a top speed of 93mph. BMW's eDrive technology means that drivers can enjoy a realistic driving range of 100 miles, which can be extended to 124 miles when driving in Eco Pro+ mode, and 180 miles when fitted with the i3's optional 650cc, twin-cylinder petrol range extender. Effective heating and cooling systems prevent this range from fluctuating too much in varying weather conditions, too according to BMW.

Charging the i3 up to 80 per cent takes less than three hours when using the standard 7.4kW Fast Charger at home. A standard wall-socket will bring this time up to around nine hours, while a DC Fast Charger will give the i3 80 per cent of its battery charge in under an hour.

Anything else?

For those not wanting to part with all their money in one go, BMW is also offering leasing options for the i3. After an initial £2,995 deposit, BMW will charge customers £369 each month for three years in a 24,000-mile contract. Prices and leasing options for the range-extender model have yet to be announced.