I saw one of these on the road today and from a distance, initially I thought it was some boy racer with dodgy after market HIDs coming towards me because the headlights were very blue, isn't there some sort of regulation on colour temp of headlights?

That may be because they are LED? (Option I think)

My ones on the LEAF seem quite blue as well.

Yes, I think they were the LED headlights.

I've only seen pictures so far of the i3, but, pardon the expression, it looks an absolute abortion of a car

 

The dip in the rear doors is horrendous

 

I like it!

They park the demonstrators along the Roman Way side of Soper Lincoln, where they have installed a charge point for the i3s, I had a look at them the other night, from the outside, to me they look very cramped in the back seats. I think manufacturers feel that is a need to make their hybrids and electric cars look quirky and obviously different to draw attention to the fact.

 

I did see a BMW ActiveE at ASDA a couple of months back 

Yes, I think they were the LED headlights.

BMW have styled it with blue highlights and suchlike, I expect they have gone for the blue headlights to keep it looking different from other cars.

Brimma, pictures don't do it justice.

It looks OK in real life.

I test drove it (mentioned in my EV / LEAF thread) and was surprised.

IMO it's more a 2+2.

Which car had a connection issue with the charging Rich? The charges in public are a certain type and one of the cars uses something different? 

Reminiscent (to me) of another classic design............

 

Wait until we see the laser lights in use !!

Reminiscent (to me) of another classic design............

 

 

Which car had a connection issue with the charging Rich? The charges in public are a certain type and one of the cars uses something different?

Slow (8hr) and fast (4hr) charging all EVs are the same.

The issue is Rapid (30min) charging as all the current Rapid DC chargers in services etc... Fit the LEAF connector, but BMW, VW etc are fitting a different socket.

So if you buy the i3 or forthcoming Golf with the DC port for rapid charging there is nowhere to plug it in at the moment. Making them suitable for local use only.

The German car makers want to push a "European Standard" connector, even though Nissan have already fitted a whole network of Rapid Chargers that are different.

Surely it's more the Pininfarina designed Hyundai Matrix:

 

 

Slow (8hr) and fast (4hr) charging all EVs are the same.

The issue is Rapid (30min) charging as all the current Rapid DC chargers in services etc... Fit the LEAF connector, but BMW, VW etc are fitting a different socket.

So if you buy the i3 or forthcoming Golf with the DC port for rapid charging there is nowhere to plug it in at the moment. Making them suitable for local use only.

 

 

Surely it would have made sense to make all manufacturers use the same connections if they want to make electric power a genuinely viable alternative

 

Beggars belief really  :(

Ah I see! Yeah, all a bit silly really, no one wants to spend 4 hours waiting for the car to charge in the services. Do you rent your batteries or buy them? 

Surely it would have made sense to make all manufacturers use the same connections if they want to make electric power a genuinely viable alternative

 

Beggars belief really  :(

Hmmm, just like mobile phones have done. Unfortunately i don't believe manufacturer does anything for the benefit of the consumer.

Totally agree with you Brimma, or at least if one manufacturer is going to go against the grain they should at least provide an adapter/converter.

Ah I see! Yeah, all a bit silly really, no one wants to spend 4 hours waiting for the car to charge in the services. Do you rent your batteries or buy them?

Buy.

Three years on from the LEAF being released the batteries are holding up well.

Cars in the UK climate approaching 50,000 miles have not lost 15% battery capacity yet.

Judging from results of USA drivers that typically happens around 70,000 miles.

They have a 60,000 mile or 5 year battery warranty.

Ours will completely pay for themselves before that anyway.

I believe the i3 has an 8 year battery warranty.

Surely it would have made sense to make all manufacturers use the same connections if they want to make electric power a genuinely viable alternative

Beggars belief really :(

Where it gets more interesting is the info dealerships are supplying.

BMW sent me the map of DC Rapid Chargers in the UK, but didn't mention that there is not a single one that fits their car, yet they all fit my existing LEAF.

How long before we see a BMW i3 at a motorway services with a puzzled owner wondering why the tethered plug on the charger is twice the size of the DC Rapid Charge socket they added as a £500 optional extra to give them greater daily range.

Where it gets more interesting is the info dealerships are supplying.

BMW sent me the map of DC Rapid Chargers in the UK, but didn't mention that there is not a single one that fits their car, yet they all fit my existing LEAF.

How long before we see a BMW i3 at a motorway services with a puzzled owner wondering why the tethered plug on the charger is twice the size of the DC Rapid Charge socket they added as a £500 optional extra to give them greater daily range.

 

 

Do we really need MORE reasons to mock BMW drivers?  

Yep, they're LED.

 

Seen a few Merc's and Audi's with LED dipped headlights approaching from a distance fully expecting a lowered Corsa to blat past!

 

They are very blue...

 

 

I pass one of the new SEAT Leon's every morning with LED headlights, they do look very smart!

 

 

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/261070-seat-to-get-full-led-headlights/

I've only seen pictures so far of the i3, but, pardon the expression, it looks an absolute abortion of a car

 

The dip in the rear doors is horrendous

 

 

 

My first thought was Citroen Picasso meets FIAT Panda.  It's absolutely hideous, but then a lot of modern vehicles are.

 

I assume it's aimed at the Irish market, with the back just being suitable for the little people.

I assume it's aimed at the Irish market, with the back just being suitable for the little people.

 

Ouch!

Do we really need MORE reasons to mock BMW drivers?  

Do we really need more reasons to slate dealers

Do we really need more reasons to slate dealers

?????

Mock me

Edited 3 January, 201412 yr by BigJase88