The BMW i3 – the BMW Group’s first pure electric series-produced model – has the same sporting genes as every BMW and is characterised by sheer driving pleasure. At least that is what BMW said to the world as they launched that globally at three simultaneous press conferences held around the globe – London, New York and Beijing.
“Innovation drives change. The i3 is more than just a car. It’s a revolutionary step towards sustainable mobility. It is purpose-built around an electric power train to serve the needs of our megacity customers,” said Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Norbert Reithofer, at the world premiere in New York on Monday.
If you look at specifications and features of the car, you will understand why this is such a phenomenal and revolutionary vehicle.
The vehicle achieves a range of 130 to 160 km. The BMW Group’s experience with test fleets of MINI E and BMW ActiveE cars has shown that a range of 130 to160 km is quite sufficient for the vast majority of drivers. If desired, the BMW i3 is also available with a range-extender, which maintains the charge of the lithium-ion battery at a constant level enroute, as soon as it falls below a specified value. This is performed by a two-cylinder gasoline engine with 34 hp (25 kW), mounted adjacent to the electric motor above the rear axle. The range extender increases the car’s maximum range in day-to-day driving to around 300 km.
The vehicle’s running costs are comparatively low: Over a period of three years, the maintenance and running costs for a BMW i3 are about 40% lower than those of a highly-economical 320dA registered in Germany. On top of that the BMW i3 features a large number of technological innovations – such as a carbon-fibre passenger cell and a chassis made of aluminum – and sets new standards in the field of lightweight construction. With a curb weight of 1,195 kg, it is lighter than most vehicles in the compact segment, yet offers significantly more space for up to four occupants.