BMW is, on Monday 29 July, presented a electric model i3 and thus opened a new chapter in its history. Promotion was held in three locations at the same time, in New York, London and Beijing, and aside from pure electric, customers will be offered a model with additional petrol engine which will have an extended range of motion. Production of model i3, the first electric car from the new ” i ” series, comes two years after the concept of the same name, and although it look like him, there are some obvious differences.
Given that this is a technologically different from other product of BMW cars, the Bavarian manufacturer wanted to i3 be stylistically different from the rest of the BMW cars. The car has a two-tone body, with the bonnet, roof and tailgate in black. At the front the LED headlights emphasize the shape of the letter “U”, and thanks to the typical “kidney” details on the grille, above which is BMW’s emblem, the viewer has removed any dilemma about which manufacturer is that. Similar to the Ford B-MAX, the BMW i3 has no central roof rails. Instead, the doors are reinforced, to cement structure in the event of the car rolling over. The cabin is constructed in the form of cells from plastic materials reinforced with carbon fiber. The back door is much shorter than the front and opens in the opposite direction, but due to the absence of the “B” pillar passengers sitting behind will have no problems entering. Although this is a relatively small car, which is primarily designed for city driving, the BMW i3 is set on a large, 19 and 20 inch alloy wheels.
The interior is made of natural or recycled materials, and the interior styling is quite different from the standard BMW cars. Buyers will be available three different trim levels, Loft, Lodge and Suite. Even the base model will be generously equipped, and among other things have a USB / Bluetooth / SIM card additions and 6.5 inch iDrive system, mounted on top of the center console. Second, similar screen, is in the front of the driver, and represents substitute for the standard dashboard. Among the options are offered, GPS navigation, automatic climate control (manual is standard), heated front seats, sunroof. The electric motor of 170 hp (125 kW), powered by BMW i3 gets its energy from a lithium-ion battery capacity of 22 kWh. Power is transferred to the rear wheels, and the driver can benefit a constant 250 Nm of torque. BMW i3 will like those who appreciate the powerful acceleration, as the car takes 7.2 s to go from 0 to 60mph.
Top speed is 100mph, which is perfectly acceptable if we consider the main purpose of this vehicle. BMW claims that the i3 on a single charge can travel at least 80 miles. If the driver has a need to move greater distances per day than the maximum projected radius of movement, customers are offered a version with extended range. Additional two-cylinder gasoline engine serves as a generator of electricity and is able to provide maximum driving range of 200 miles. The car will go on sale in November, the first in the German market, and will cost $41,350.
