BMW's i3 electric car is getting an extra dose of sportiness

Since its debut in 2014, the i3 has been a quirky and slightly off beat eco-friendly option in BMW's performance oriented lineup.

Now the little electric car is getting an added dose of muscle to go along with its BMW badge.

That's because, for 2018, BMW is finally giving the i3 a sports edition called the i3s.

Powering the i3s will be a more potent 184 horsepower electric motor, up from the 170 found in the standard i3.

The upgraded performance drive system is designed for enhanced power delivery when the motor is spinning at the high end of its rev band. In fact, BMW claims the i3s's motor speed range, power, and torque at the limit of its performance capabilities is 40% better than the i3.

According to BMW, the i3s can hit 60 mph from a standstill in 6.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 100 mph, an improvement of 0.4 seconds and seven miles per hour over the regular i3.

The i3s is hooked up to a 94 ampere-hour high voltage lithium ion battery developed in house at BMW. Running purely on the battery, the i3s has an effective range of 97 miles. However, BMW offers the car with an optional 2-cylinder gasoline driven, range-extending, generator that can boost the i3s's range to a more useful 180 miles.

The i3s's cabin is loaded with BMW's latest tech goodies including the company's iDrive 6 infotainment system running on a 10.25-inch wide screen. At the same time, its eco-friendly reputation remains intact with 80% of the surfaces visible to passengers made from recycled or renewable materials.

The BMW i3s will make its world at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Pricing for the i3s will be announced at a later date.