So this morning I stopped by the BMW dealer and they had an extended range, i3 on the floor. It certainly is a sub-compact, two+2 and a small luggage space behind the rear seats. But I really like the 'suicide' doors because it makes it a lot easier to use the interior space. The only problem is the 'big step' up into the cabin and I hit my head. This is a: Sit on seat first Duck head and rotate-in I suspect the high floorboard step is to deal with deeper snow than we get in Dixie. What attracts me to this car is the separation of braking from accelerator-only, operated regeneration. My understanding is lift off the accelerator and you have maximum regen. The brakes are independent and this simplification is so right! So I need to read the owner's manual to understand the controls. I want to know if shifting into "N" causes and grief for drag-free coasting. I was happy to 'feel knobs' with distinct touch. I hate identically shaped controls with no tactile differentiation that takes your eyes off the road. I also need to see if I can buy the shop repair manual. Bob Wilson
I got a look at one in a parking lot. Different, but not something I would be opposed to driving. I think that system of having regen controlled by the accelerator, and the brake pedal just be friction brakes is used by Tesla, and other models and concepts. There may be a point in the accelerator travel that allows drag free coasting, as in the Prius. The big step could just be for added rigidity of the body. My big question is if the model with the range extender can be reprogrammed to replace the California hobbles with European spec operation.
Here's an article a fellow wrote about regen in the Volt and near the end, there's a link to an article he wrote about regen in the BMW and Tesla. Driving Your Chevy Volt in L “Mode” | Reel Marketing
