BMW i is about the development of
visionary vehicles and mobility services, inspiring design and a new
understanding of premium that is strongly defined by sustainability.
With BMW i the BMW Group is adopting an all-embracing approach,
redefining the understanding of personal mobility with purpose-built
vehicle concepts, a focus on sustainability throughout the value
chain and a range of complementary mobility services.
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Two special vehicle concepts.
The BMW i brand is now poised to enter the consciousness of the
automotive public with two new vehicles. On the one hand there is the
BMW i3 Concept. Previously known as the Megacity Vehicle, the BMW
Group's first series-produced all-electric car focuses squarely on the
mobility challenges in urban areas and, as the first premium electric
vehicle, reinvents the hallmark BMW attributes for the future. Then
comes the BMW i8 Concept, a sports car of the most contemporary variety
- forward-looking, intelligent and innovative. Its unique plug-in hybrid
solution brings together a combustion engine and an electric drive
system to create an extraordinary driving experience complemented by
extremely low fuel consumption and emissions. |
BMW i3 Concept - dynamic,
urban, emission-free.
The BMW i3 Concept is an uncompromisingly sustainable vehicle
designed for urban areas. Driven purely by electric power and
purpose-built to meet the demands of sustainable and emission-free
mobility, it embodies an intelligent form of urban transportation
and commuting.
The BMW i3 is a well-resolved
all-round concept, with every detail conceived and optimised to
fulfil its eventual purpose. Its innovative LifeDrive architecture
renders the BMW i3 Concept light, safe, spacious and dynamic.
Innovative use of materials and intelligent lightweight design,
moreover, not only enable the i3 Concept to travel long distances on
a single charge and provide superb safety in the event of a
collision, they also help give the car its excellent driving
dynamics. The electric motor over the rear axle - which generates
output of 125 kW/170 hp and impressive torque of 250 Nm (184 lb-ft)
from a standstill - and a small turning circle combine to deliver
pleasingly crisp driving characteristics. The BMW i3 Concept
accelerates from 0 to 60 km/h (37 mph) in under four seconds and
from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than eight seconds.
The so-called Life module conjures
up a feeling of space inside the car more generous than even the
latest conversion vehicles can offer. Select materials lend the open
and airy cabin a lounge-like character. The use of renewable raw
materials is another defining characteristic of the interior,
offering passengers a further means of "experiencing" the
sustainability of the vehicle. Parts of the instrument panel and
door panelling are visibly made from natural fibres, while the
naturally tanned leather of the seats creates a lounge-style
ambience. With four seats, wide-opening opposing "coach" doors, a
boot capacity of around 200 litres and an additional functional
compartment in the front, the BMW i3 Concept is neatly equipped for
the demands of everyday use.
Innovative connectivity functions
create a seamless connection between the BMW i3 Concept and its
customers' lives outside the car. Remote functions accessible via a
smartphone enable owners to find their vehicles, flag up nearby
charging stations, allow battery charging and preconditioning at the
touch of a button, and supply information on the current status of
the vehicle. Meanwhile, intelligent assistance systems ease the
stress on drivers in monotonous city driving situations and allow
them to arrive at their destination more safely and in a more
relaxed state of mind.
BMW i8 Concept - emotional,
dynamic and efficient.
The BMW i8 Concept and the fascinating approach that underpins it
embody the vision of a sustainable contemporary sports car brought
to life. Its innovative plug-in hybrid concept combines the modified
electric drive system from the BMW i3 Concept - fitted over its
front axle - with a high-performance three-cylinder combustion
engine producing 164 kW/220 hp and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) at the rear.
Working in tandem, they allow the two drive systems to display their
respective talents to the full, delivering the performance of a
sports car but the fuel consumption of a small car.
Acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h (62
mph) in under five seconds combined with fuel consumption in the
European cycle of under three litres per 100 kilometres (approx. 94
mpg imp) are figures currently beyond the capability of any vehicle
powered by a combustion engine of comparable performance. Thanks to
its large lithium-ion battery, which can be charged from a domestic
power supply, the BMW i8 Concept can travel up to 35 kilometres
(approx. 20 miles) on electric power alone. Added to which, the
2+2-seater offers enough space for four people, giving it a high
level of everyday practicality.
The LifeDrive architecture of the
BMW i8 Concept has been carefully adapted to enhance the vehicle's
sports car character, and therefore to deliver unbeatable
performance and excellent driving dynamics. The motor in the front
axle module and combustion engine at the rear are connected by an
"energy tunnel", which houses the high-voltage battery. This gives
the car a low centre of gravity - and the dynamic benefits that come
with it. The positioning of the electric motor and engine over their
respective axles and the space-saving and well-balanced packaging of
all components result in an optimum 50/50 weight distribution.
The emotional design of the BMW i8
Concept ensures its qualities are clear for all to see. Its dynamic
proportions give the BMW i8 Concept the appearance of surging
forward before it even turns a wheel and lend visual form to its
extraordinary performance.
The sporting character continues
into the interior. Boasting a driver-focused environment unmatched
by any BMW Group vehicle before it, the BMW i8 Concept immerses the
driver fully in the unique driving experience. The BMW i8 Concept is
the sports car for a new generation - pure, emotional and
sustainable.
