Car News Articles 
 Alternative Fuel Vehicles
 Automotive Articles
  Automotive Information (46)
  Careers (13)
  Car Donations (12)
 Car Makes And Models (225)
  Car Rentals (35)
  Child Safety (14)
  Gifts (22)
  Lemon Laws (47)
  Regulations (20)
  Technology (111)
 Car Buying Tips
 Car Insurance Articles
 Car Maintenance
 Car News
 Car Racing
 Car Repair
 Car Safety
 
 Driving Economically
 Environmental Issues
 Exterior Car Care
 Garage Know How
 
 How Car Stuff Works
 Motorcycle Articles
 Road Trips
 Traveling with Kids
 Younger - Older Drivers
 
 Amsoil Synthetic Oil
 Article Archives




spacer
spacer
Automotive Articles >> Car Makes And Models



The i: BMW's New Electric Brand

The i: BMW's New Electric Brand Debuted at Frankfurt Auto Show

In BMW nomenclature, the "i" at the end of a model name stands for "fuel injection." That will soon change with the "i" moving to the front to designate the company's new line of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Eventually this lineup will match the internal combustion lineup, but be built on platforms designed specifically for alternative powertrain use. The first two cars in this lineup, the i3 and i8, were debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show last September.

The BMW i8

This car is essentially the production version of the EfficientDynamics concept first seen in 2009. This 2+2 coupe uses a plug-in hybrid system that combines battery power with the same 1.5l direct injected three cylinder that will be used in the next 1-series and Mini. Despite its size, the engine produces 220 hp and 221 ft-lbs. of torque, which is mated to an electric motor that makes 129 hp and 184 ft-lbs. of torque. The gas engine is mounted in the back, providing power to the rear wheels via a dual clutch manumatic transmission, while the electric motor drives the front wheels through a 2-speed transmission. All-electric range is about twenty miles, and the electric and gas motors can be used in tandem to functionally make the car all-wheel drive.

The car is slightly larger than a 3-series, and is expected to match the M3's 4.5 second 0-60 mph time. An aluminum frame and carbon-fiber reinforced plastic body keep weight down to 3,300 lbs, slightly less than the current 3-series.

BMW has said the battery can be charged using a normal 220v outlet in about two hours, eliminating the need for a separate charging station. Production of the car will begin in 2014, with an MSRP expected to be around $240,000.

The BMW i3

While the i8 will lead the brand as a halo model, the i3 is aimed at mass-market sales. Initially available as an all-electric car, a plug-in hybrid version will join the lineup sometime in the future.

The car is about a foot wider and six inches longer and taller than the Mini. However, there are no plans for parts or technology sharing between the i3 and the BMW-manufactured Mini E electric car. Like the i8, an aluminum chassis and carbon fiber-reinforced plastic body are used to keep weight down to just 2,800 lbs. Like most electric cars, the battery is in the center of the car below the floor, offering a low center of gravity and even weight distribution.

A single electric motor will drive the rear wheels up to a top speed of 150 kph (93 mph) with a 0-100 kph (0-62 mph) time of 7.9 seconds, almost a second slower than the Nissan Leaf. The battery will provide a driving range of 80-110 miles on a single charge.

Production of the i3 will begin in 2013. BMW executives have said the price for the car will be about the same as a high-end 1-series. Based on the current MSRP of the range-topping 1-series M coupe, this would put the i3 at around $45,000.







Related Articles:
The i: BMW's New Electric Brand
The Honda Accord Coupe Concept
Who Needs a Steering Wheel? Not the Honda EV-STER Concept!
2012 BMW 650i
The Ford Vertrek Concept
Ready - Set - H2Go!
GMC Sierra All Terrain HD Concept
Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept
The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
2012 De Tomaso Pantera
The Mazda 2012 CX-5 Small Crossover
The Top 10 Coolest Low Cost Cars
Scion FR-S Concept Car
The Flying iCar Concept
2011 Vs. 2013 - the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Eco

spacer
sdg
make image
model image
zip code


Stay Updated!


Car Makes And Models
Related Articles
Best New Vehicles To Fit
The 5 Best Cars From
Ford's New Police Interceptors
Aston Martin V12 Zagato For
Pagani Huayra Carbon Edition Wows
The i: BMW's New Electric
The Honda Accord Coupe Concept
Who Needs a Steering Wheel?
2012 BMW 650i
The Ford Vertrek Concept
Ready - Set - H2Go!
GMC Sierra All Terrain HD
Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept
The 2012 Chevrolet Sonic
2012 De Tomaso Pantera
The Mazda 2012 CX-5 Small
The Top 10 Coolest Low
Scion FR-S Concept Car
The Flying iCar Concept
2011 Vs. 2013 - the
spacer

Feed Button



Car Insurance Info | Newsletter | Car Classifieds | Online Car Rentals
Auto Pictures | Link To Carjunky.com



Complete List of Article RSS News Feeds


Copyright © 1999 - . CarJunky® All Rights Reserved.