I got the closest to running out of electric I ever have today.

Got to work late with the car 9% charged, so charging before I left at 2pm only gave me 62%.

 

I did 30 miles up to the Lotus dealer just off the M11 which left the car on 29%, thinking it was about 20 miles home.

This was my mistake, taking the milage of the whole trip for granted.

 

Anyway, after the test drive I got back in the car and set the Nav for home... 30 miles.  29% charge.  Err.. OK

Decided I'd drive as economically as I could (I've got to know the LEAF quite well now) and if I was still short find somewhere in Chelmsford to top up for 15 minutes which with the 32A charger would add about 6-7 miles.

 

So I set off, followed a lorry along the main A road for half the distance and then set off across country and through Chelmsford taking it as smooth and easy as I could sticking to 40mph where possible.

 

Didn't actually get Range Anxiety as I know the car fairly well.

As soon as I had one percent of range more than the milage left at around 18% I was quietly confident.

 

Got home with the battery reading blank (it does this after 6%) but the plug in gadget I have via the diagnostic port telling me I had 2% still.

Cutting it fine and living dangerously - love it!  Jolly well done, Richard.

I'm sure that that monitoring gadget saps valuable power and you could get a few more feet out of the battery if you took it out 

 

What were you test driving at Lotus? 

I'm sure that that monitoring gadget saps valuable power and you could get a few more feet out of the battery if you took it out 

What were you test driving at Lotus? 

 

I was only brave enough to plug the gadget in when i got home.

Exige S.  OK, but they are going to try me in a Cup version at Hethel as they think that's more me...

(yes, I do consider myself lucky to have the oppertunity)

I was only brave enough to plug the gadget in when i got home.

Exige S.  OK, but they are going to try me in a Cup version at Hethel as they think that's more me...

(yes, I do consider myself lucky to have the oppertunity)

Any good? Exige is still a car I want eventually.

Any good? Exige is still a car I want eventually.

 

Yes, it's OK.  Think the GT-R has spoilt me though.  Made it feel a bit slow in a straight line.

Great feel though so more fun at sensible speeds.  Cup version is about 60-80kg lighter and I want to try that on a track.  Decent saving on a car just under 1200kg.

 

Funny turning up for a test drive in a LEAF.

Makes me look like a real hard-core petrol head.

Am I right in thinking that the cup versions are track only cars as in not road legal?

Am I right in thinking that the cup versions are track only cars as in not road legal?

 

No that's the Cup R with the sequential gearbox. (which can be made road legal but is a right PITA in traffic)

Richard - how has the Nismo ECU affected the range? Does it actually make much of a difference on the performance front?

Richard - how has the Nismo ECU affected the range? Does it actually make much of a difference on the performance front?

 

Long story.

 

Basically NISMO will only fit the range of NISMO bits if you take your car to them in Japan.

It's made for the car, so there is no stock of parts as sales volumes are extremely low and it's Japan only.

The parts don't even come in boxes as they don't sell on a parts basis.

 

So short of having my LEAF taken to Japan and bringing it back I can't have the ECU upgrade done. :(

They apparently alter a few other things at the same time. (to justify supply and fit only I guess)

 

It's the same with the other parts.

 

I've had to get a vehicle exporter in Japan to ask NISMO very nicely for the other parts, which they didn't want to sell, which will be unpackaged and the lead time is three months.

Then they'll package and container them to the UK.

 

Needless to say I'm a bit peeved I can't have the ECU update, but I can get the other stuff and it'll be the only LEAF outside of Japan with the Nismo kit on it.

Even in Japan they are extremely rare as all the kit adds 50% to the vehicle cost...  there are maybe one to three in Japan including the demo one (so worldwide total)

Ah, sorry, my misunderstanding, thought I'd read that it had all shipped and was on the way to you some time ago. Tbh the body kit does nothing for me but I was really intrigued to hear what the ECU could achieve. Technically I probably dislike the idea of overdriving those cells more than increasing the boost on a turbocharger, at least longer term but was dying to hear how the added performance balanced out with any reduction in range. Oh well, sorry that didn't work out for you but think of it this way... I'm betting you'd not have made it home in the above scenario with the Nismo ECU fitted!

I'm going ahead with the whole kit as within the next five months we're going to have at least 5 LEAFs on the fleet.

 

I need mine to stand out.

I'm going ahead with the whole kit as within the next five months we're going to have at least 5 LEAFs on the fleet.

I need mine to stand out.

that's possibly the poorest reason I've ever heard for someone getting a body kit stuck onto their car!

that's possibly the poorest reason I've ever heard for someone getting a body kit stuck onto their car!

 

I've noticed I'm starting to run out of sensible reasons for the wierd things I do to cars, so the excuses are getting fairly lame...

I've noticed I'm starting to run out of sensible reasons for the wierd things I do to cars, so the excuses are getting fairly lame...

You shouldn't need an excuse. If its what makes you happy, go with it.

I've noticed I'm starting to run out of sensible reasons for the wierd things I do to cars, so the excuses are getting fairly lame...

Because Boss Fox. Worked for the Citigo :P

Read this today and seems quite interesting -

 

Today heralds a new era of premium car ownership with the launch of the all-new BMW i3.  This revolutionary car offers zero emissions in a premium car package, yet at an affordable price.

 

The BMW i3 is the world’s first premium car designed from the ground up to be powered by an electric drive system. The result is a vehicle that embodies BMW’s commitment to driving pleasure without compromise.

 

The use of lightweight CFRP for the passenger cell compensates for the extra weight of the battery, while the low, central location of the battery pack enhances the car’s agility thanks to perfectly balanced 50:50 weight distribution and a low centre of gravity.

 

Model

Price OTR

Power

Hp

Torque

Nm

0 – 62mph Seconds

Top Speed Mph

Range (miles)

CO2 Emissions g/km

BMW i3

£25,680**

170

250

7.2

93

80-100

0

BMW i3 Range Extender

£28,830**

170

250

7.9

93

160-186

13

**With £5,000 OLEV Government grant.

 

The electric motor generates an output of 170hp, with peak torque of 250Nm on demand instantly. This allows the BMW i3 to sprint from zero to 37mph in a mere 3.7 seconds and zero to 62mph in just 7.2 seconds, while the lithium-ion battery gives a range of 80 –100 miles in everyday driving. This rises by approximately 15 per cent in ECO PRO mode and by the same again in ECO PRO+ mode.

 

As a point of reference, since 2009 BMW has conducted research on a global scale with the MINI E and BMW Active E programmes.  A UK government report found that the average commute was found to be 13.1 miles each way, and the average daily mileage 25 miles.

 

For customers particularly conscious of ‘range anxiety’, the BMW i3 is available with a range extender engine, powering a generator to maintain the charge of the lithium-ion battery at a constant level while on the move. This is performed by a 650cc two-cylinder four-stroke petrol engine developing 34hp and mounted immediately next to the electric motor above the rear axle. The range extender increases the car’s maximum range in day-to-day driving to around 180 miles on one tank of fuel. The BMW i3 Range Extender costs £28,830** OTR.

 

Both BMW i3 models include a three-year, unlimited mileage vehicle warranty and an eight-year, 100,000 mile battery warranty. The battery is also included in the price of the car negating a separate lease charge for battery, as is the case for other electric vehicles.

 

The i3 is available with four different interior worlds: Standard, Loft, Lodge and Suite.  These allow customers to change the look and feel of the interior.  All worlds feature sustainable materials such as sustainably sourced wood, natural fibres and naturally tanned leather. 

 

The price for the BMW i3 starts at £25,680** and £28,830** for the Range Extender. However, leasing is expected to be favoured by customers and the monthly rates are highly competitive. Starting at £369p/m for a 36 month contract and rising to £480p/m for an i3 Range Extender in Suite, the BMW i3 is a compelling package.

 

Yes I've got a test drive in the i3 in two weeks.

 

As an EV it looks good.

What I don't like is the traditional "premium" badged car way of holding back the spec.

 

The LEAF Tekna is pretty much fully loaded at 25k with only metallic paint, the 32A charger and a pointless solar spoiler optional taking the maximum cost to £27k before Nissan give you a discount.

I paid £23k for mine.

 

But the BMW starts at £25k in it's most basic form.

To get a similar spec to the LEAF I was up over £30k before even thinking of the £3k range extender.

 

So you are paying far more for a smaller car that's got only 4 seats, a smaller boot and around 10% more range in EV only guise.

 

What will make or break the BMW i3 in my opinion is the lease/PCP rates.

If BMW are confident it'll hold it's value then these will be good and will help sales a lot if BMW will take the gamble to get sales moving.

 

The BMW i3 is around 300kg lighter than the LEAF due to it's Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic frame which also allows a lighter battery as it's a lighter car.

 

But there are no discounts on the i3 yet.

Where on the LEAF the fleet discount rate is rather attractive, not to mention we must have a five seater.

Been to Milton Keynes today, and they've installed loads of charge points at all the main entrances to centre MK.

I agree Richard, the BMW's never going to be cheap - good to see a comparison with yours though.

On pure financial terms and in terms of outright space the i3 does not make sense relative to the Leaf. But then for £160,000 you can buy a 2 door Ferrari OR a five seat Rolls Royce. So what? People might buy the BMW just because of the badge, but I think it will be more about what it looks like or because of the new technology inside over and above the EV bits. Some people might just want one because they want one regardless of the cost.

 

I can honestly say I want an i3 and love the engineering behind it and that I do not want a tarted up, steel monocoque car with a battery that's been added - that is the Leaf et al. Yes, the Leaf and its ilk are great for what they are and what they cost but does a Leaf really stir you in wanting one deep down? Nope, I think not. It's an appliance based on ancient car technology (a steel monocoque chassis) with a battery propulsion system added. The i3 moves the game on. Carbon fibre chassis for £30,000?!?! With its battery it weighs less than 1,100kg!!! Regardless of the BMW badge, it is the technology and what BMW did there that is outstanding. I think it's a bargain.

Valid points Johann, like any premium vehicle it's likely to appeal to a smaller number of customers that are not so concerned with cost over other things they want.

 

I wonder how much Carbon Fibre there is in the Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic?

 

The LEAF was billed as the first production car designed to be an EV, but in truth it's not.

It uses the same platform as the Juke and they put the motor right where a normal car engine is.

There was not enough thinking outside the box, so it doesn't use it's extra space very well.

For example, under the back where the spare wheel well/fuel tank/exhaust would be there is too much unused space.

But I guess that keeps the costs down and why you can buy a basic LEAF with a small discount from dealers for under £20k.

Valid points Johann, like any premium vehicle it's likely to appeal to a smaller number of customers that are not so concerned with cost over other things they want.

 

I wonder how much Carbon Fibre there is in the Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic?

 

The LEAF was billed as the first production car designed to be an EV, but in truth it's not.

It uses the same platform as the Juke and they put the motor right where a normal car engine is.

There was not enough thinking outside the box, so it doesn't use it's extra space very well.

For example, under the back where the spare wheel well/fuel tank/exhaust would be there is too much unused space.

But I guess that keeps the costs down and why you can buy a basic LEAF with a small discount from dealers for under £20k.

 

Yup basing it on standard car architecture and using an internal combustion engined chassis does save cost but is really not moving the game on with a fair few compromises as a result. The i3, Ampera and Tesla does move the game on, in being designed from the ground up to have big battery packs as part of the chassis. And being first of a kind they will cost more as a result. When and if the BMW carbon fibre chassis costs come down, the price will become more competitive as a result.

I don't agree on the Ampera, because it's too close to a petrol car and is flawwed in my opinion.

It's also not very nice to drive.  Looks OK though.

 

I don't champion the LEAF as the best thing ever, but what I do like about it is that currently it makes financial sense to some.

You can actually make enough of a saving running it as a 100% EV to actually make purchasing one viable over an ICE car. (Internal Combustion Engine)

I don't agree on the Ampera, because it's too close to a petrol car and is flawwed in my opinion.

It's also not very nice to drive.  Looks OK though.

 

I don't champion the LEAF as the best thing ever, but what I do like about it is that currently it makes financial sense to some.

You can actually make enough of a saving running it as a 100% EV to actually make purchasing one viable over an ICE car. (Internal Combustion Engine)

 

Agreed...  but even if flawed the Ampera was DESIGNED to be something with batteries.

 

I realise you're not championing the Leaf per se and it is still Gen 1 technology in terms of EVs. You have to start jumping on the bandwagon somewhere and the Leaf is a pretty good way of doing it. I just think the price premium for the i3 is worth it.