BMW is finally offering a much-sought option for its i3 electric car--but only to a handful of customers.
That option is a moonroof, which hasn't been available on the i3 in the U.S. until now.
But the coveted feature will only be offered on a limited-edition model, available to just 50 U.S. customers.
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The 2016 BMW i3 Shadow Sport was unveiled in a live Periscope event ahead of the 2015 Los Angeles Auto Show, where it will make its official debut.
Appropriately enough, the Shadow Sport is distinguished by Fluid Black exterior paint, along with model-specific 19-inch alloy wheels.
The interior gets a new trim package, with Deka World dark grey and blue highlights.
BMW i3 Shadow Sport
That means the Shadow Sport still uses a 125-kilowatt (170-horsepower) electric motor--with 184 pound-feet of torque--to drive the rear wheels, along with a 22-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack.
The Shadow Sport treatment will not be offered on the range-extended i3 REx.
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The EPA rates the 2015 all-electric i3 at 81 miles of range and 124 MPGe combined.
Ratings for the 2016 model haven't been released yet, but last month BMW CEO Harald Krüger said the i3 is due for a range increase. Insiders suggest this may come for 2017.
He did not offer specifics, and in fact only mentioned the range increase in passing as part of a broader-ranging interview.
BMW i3 Shadow Sport
BMW also quotes a 0 to 60 mph time of 7.0 seconds, and a top speed of 93 mph for the all-electric i3.
The carmaker is currently taking reservations for the 50 i3 Shadow Sport editions allocated for the U.S.
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They'll be priced starting at $47,400, before any Federal, state, or local incentives.
That's $5,000 more than the base price of a standard i3, before destination and delivery charges are factored in.
Apparently, that's the price buyers will have to pay for exclusivity... and a moonroof.
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