cmmd
Member
- First Name
- Carroll
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2020
- Threads
- 1
- Messages
- 7
- Reaction score
- 13
- Location
- MD
- Vehicles
- BMWi3, Nissan Leaf
- Thread starter
- #1
After 15+ months (or 50 years) of waiting, depending on how you count, I brought my new premium ER RWD home from the dealer on Friday night. Since the majority of professional reviews--and most of the early reports here--have been with the AWD, I wanted to get a sense for the likely range in the RWD version at highway speeds. Since I have the advantage (for present purposes, at least) of living right off a major highway, all but 5 minutes of the test was at highway speeds. Consistent with reports on other trims, the ER RWD performed as well or better than I expected.
I did 105 miles of almost pure highway driving at an estimated average speed of 72 mph. Outside temp ranged from 40-42 F. I had the interior climate controls set pretty high (74F) for about the first half of the trip, then dropped them to a still warm 69F about halfway through. The car was in unbridled mode throughout; and never on cruise control.
I started with 94% SOC and ended at 52%. Thus, traveling 105 miles at >70mph used 42% of the battery, consistent with an overall range of 250 miles at highway speeds. The MME reported an efficiency of 3.0 kw for the trip, which would suggest a slightly higher range of 264 miles. Three things suggest the achievable highway range would likely be higher still: (1) The 40-42F temps are fairly cool. In the mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and lower-midwest, at least, temps are generally warmer than that for 8-9 months a year. (2) As noted, climate controls were set quite high for at least half the test, taking a further hit to efficiency. (3) Due to traffic, I was using the accelerator frequently, rather than holding the steady speed generally achievable on long car trips over more open road.
Two other notes on the car for those, like I was, wanting a few more impressions of the RWD model:
With all the excitement over the AWD, I was worried I might find the RWD a bit too slow. Nope. From a standing start, it's more than quick enough to pin my wife to her seat, make my teenage son laugh, and send things flying off the dash. And it responded instantly to the accelerator no matter what speed I was going.
Although most every reviewer has loved the AWD, several reviews suggested it was lacking in road feel. (I haven't noticed anyone here complaining, though.) In addition to the highway test, I also did about 30 miles on little windy country roads. I think the RWD was a beautiful balance of control and feedback. At 4700 pounds, it's not the electric go-cart my BMW i3 was, but it's responsive and really fun to drive.
I did 105 miles of almost pure highway driving at an estimated average speed of 72 mph. Outside temp ranged from 40-42 F. I had the interior climate controls set pretty high (74F) for about the first half of the trip, then dropped them to a still warm 69F about halfway through. The car was in unbridled mode throughout; and never on cruise control.
I started with 94% SOC and ended at 52%. Thus, traveling 105 miles at >70mph used 42% of the battery, consistent with an overall range of 250 miles at highway speeds. The MME reported an efficiency of 3.0 kw for the trip, which would suggest a slightly higher range of 264 miles. Three things suggest the achievable highway range would likely be higher still: (1) The 40-42F temps are fairly cool. In the mid-Atlantic, Southeast, and lower-midwest, at least, temps are generally warmer than that for 8-9 months a year. (2) As noted, climate controls were set quite high for at least half the test, taking a further hit to efficiency. (3) Due to traffic, I was using the accelerator frequently, rather than holding the steady speed generally achievable on long car trips over more open road.
Two other notes on the car for those, like I was, wanting a few more impressions of the RWD model:
With all the excitement over the AWD, I was worried I might find the RWD a bit too slow. Nope. From a standing start, it's more than quick enough to pin my wife to her seat, make my teenage son laugh, and send things flying off the dash. And it responded instantly to the accelerator no matter what speed I was going.
Although most every reviewer has loved the AWD, several reviews suggested it was lacking in road feel. (I haven't noticed anyone here complaining, though.) In addition to the highway test, I also did about 30 miles on little windy country roads. I think the RWD was a beautiful balance of control and feedback. At 4700 pounds, it's not the electric go-cart my BMW i3 was, but it's responsive and really fun to drive.
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