If you’re wondering whether BMW would actually launch a very limited-edition model exclusively on social media, the answer is yes.
At 8 PM EST, Jose Guerrero, Project Manager for BMW i, showed us the BMW i3 Shadow Sport. Only 50 of these will be made available in North America. The premiere listed a telephone number—1-844-269-3267—for prospective buyers to call Monday through Friday between 9 AM and 9 PM EST.
The BMW i3 Shadow Sport ditches the normal two-tone i3 color scheme for a car completely covered in Fluid Black, a new color for 2016. The black shadow appearance of the rear, including around the lights, is especially effective.
The car will receive special-edition badging but Guerrero said BMW will reveal those badges later.
The 19-inch wheels are style 428 from the i3 Tera World and come with all-season tires.
As for performance enhancements, Guerrero explained that the Shadow Sport has sportier tuned dampers for better handling on twisty and canyon roads. Buyers should make sure there is a charging station at the beginning or end of that canyon road, since the i3 Shadow Sport is a basic electric vehicle, not the Range Extender model.
The interior is a special combination that relies heavily on dark cloth material with electric BMW i blue accents, The steering wheel is black leather with i blue stitching. BMW is calling it the Deco World interior and it is only available on the Shadow Sport. Jose hinted that it may show up in other models depending on the reaction to the Shadow Sport.
The Navigation System Pro comes standard with the Shadow Sport.
Also exclusive to the Shadow Sport in the U.S. is the electric moonroof. On the inside it looks like a split window but in reality, it is one piece of glass that opens electrically.
The BMW i3 Shadow Sport will be at the Los Angeles Auto Show, which will be open to the public November 20–29.
The Periscope reveal video is located at this link: https://www.periscope.tv/BMWUSA/1vOxwLQLWNRKB
Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price is $47,400, not including destination and handling fees. Normal MSRP for the i3 is $42,400, so for an extra $5,000, the buyer of the Shadow Sport gets exclusive paint, interior, badges, Tera World wheels, moonroof, Nav System Pro, sportier tuned dampers, and bragging rights.—Scott Blazey
[Photos courtesy of BMW via Periscope.]
