When you think of the BMW i3, the last thing that comes to mind is drifting. Yet, the lightweight and nimble electric car can be quite the drifting machine when landing in the hands of the right driver. In this case, rally legend Rauno Aaltonen.
Also known as “The Rally Professor”, Aaltonen is a Finnish former professional rally driver who competed in the World Rally Championship throughout the 1970s. Before WRC was established Aaltonen competed in the European Rally Championship. He won the championship in 1965, with Tony Ambrose as his co-driver. He also won the Finnish Rally Championship in 1961 and 1965. In 1966, he partnered Bob Holden in Australia to win the premier touring car race, the Gallaher 500, in a Mini Cooper S at Mount Panorama in New South Wales.
Needless to say, the Finish knows a thing or two about drifting and small, compact and fast cars.
The i3 often doesn’t get the respect it deserves, despite being one of the quickest cars from start up to 30-40 mph, but those of us that live with the i3, know its full potential and appeal.
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The BMW i3’s 170 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque hybrid-synchronous electric motor, developed and produced by BMW, is electrified by a 22-kWh lithium-ion battery, good for 80-100 miles of emission-free driving.
Let’s have a look.
