The i3 will be BMW's first mass-produced electric production car, and comes under BMW’s 'i' sub-brand together with the i8 sports coupe, and the 'i' brand plans to sell a range of environmental-friendly hybrids, pure-electric and range-extended cars.
The car uses a new, bespoke platform called 'LifeDrive', and the chassis is made from aluminium, while the body structure is made from CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced plastic). BMW says that CFRP is at least as strong as steel, but roughly 50 per cent lighter, adding that by comparison, aluminum would save 'only' 30 per cent in weight over steel.
The i3 is powered by an electric motor that sits over the rear axle, and drives the rear wheels. The motor is a revised version over the one found in the MINI E electric prototype, and produces around 170bhp and 240Nm of torque. This allows the i3 to go from 0-60 km/h in under 4 seconds and 0-100km/h in about 8 seconds. Being an electric-car, there is only a single-speed gearbox, and an electrically-governed top speed of 150km/h. BMW says that without the speed governor the driving range would be "unnecessarily restricted".
The electric motor is powered by a set of lithium-ion batteries with a liquid-cooling system that are mounted within the central section of the floor. They can be fully recharged in six hours using a standard power socket, but if a high-speed charger is used, an 80 per cent charge can be achieved in one hour. The batteries offer a driving range of around 120km to 160km.
BMW will also offer an optional Range Extender called the REx, which allows the electric driving range to be increased. The REx comprises of a small displacement petrol engine that drives a generator which maintains the battery charge level and therefore extends the range of the electric motor. BMW says that to reduce fuel consumption, REx also features such functions as Automatic Start-Stop and other intelligent operating strategies.
The i3 will be BMW's smallest model yet, measuring in at 3,845mm long, 1,537mm wide and 2,011mm tall while riding on 2,570mm long wheelbase. The car is a four-seater, with wide-opening opposing "coach" doors, a rear boot capacity of around 200 litres and an additional smaller compartment in the front. The car will be showcased at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, and is expected to go on sale by 2013.
The car uses a new, bespoke platform called 'LifeDrive', and the chassis is made from aluminium, while the body structure is made from CFRP (carbon fibre reinforced plastic). BMW says that CFRP is at least as strong as steel, but roughly 50 per cent lighter, adding that by comparison, aluminum would save 'only' 30 per cent in weight over steel.
The i3 is powered by an electric motor that sits over the rear axle, and drives the rear wheels. The motor is a revised version over the one found in the MINI E electric prototype, and produces around 170bhp and 240Nm of torque. This allows the i3 to go from 0-60 km/h in under 4 seconds and 0-100km/h in about 8 seconds. Being an electric-car, there is only a single-speed gearbox, and an electrically-governed top speed of 150km/h. BMW says that without the speed governor the driving range would be "unnecessarily restricted".
The electric motor is powered by a set of lithium-ion batteries with a liquid-cooling system that are mounted within the central section of the floor. They can be fully recharged in six hours using a standard power socket, but if a high-speed charger is used, an 80 per cent charge can be achieved in one hour. The batteries offer a driving range of around 120km to 160km.
BMW will also offer an optional Range Extender called the REx, which allows the electric driving range to be increased. The REx comprises of a small displacement petrol engine that drives a generator which maintains the battery charge level and therefore extends the range of the electric motor. BMW says that to reduce fuel consumption, REx also features such functions as Automatic Start-Stop and other intelligent operating strategies.
The i3 will be BMW's smallest model yet, measuring in at 3,845mm long, 1,537mm wide and 2,011mm tall while riding on 2,570mm long wheelbase. The car is a four-seater, with wide-opening opposing "coach" doors, a rear boot capacity of around 200 litres and an additional smaller compartment in the front. The car will be showcased at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September, and is expected to go on sale by 2013.
