A week ago, you saw here for the first time, images of the production version of the new BMW i3, but only now the German car manufacturer decided to completely reveal its new electric car. The presentation took place at the same time in London, New York and Beijing, since these are some of the cities in which this car will be more used, due to heavy traffic.
This car is special because it combines electric propulsion with a carbon-fiber passenger cell with an aluminum chassis to achieve a low curb weight of just 1195kg DIN or 1270kg EU (2635lbs or 2800) without the range-extending engine, which in turn adds around 120kg (265lbs) to the car. But this small car, has less than 4 meters in length, is also very safe thanks to the use of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic.
The low weight, combined with the car’s electric drive-train that delivers 170PS (125kW or 168bhp) and peak torque of 250Nm (184lb/ft), allows it to accelerate from 0 to 60km/h (37mph) in 3.7 seconds and from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 7.2 seconds. The top speed is limited to 150km/h (93mph) so the 22kWh lithium-ion battery can last between 130 to 160km (81 to 99 miles).
The rear-wheel drive BMW i3 is also available with a range-extender 650cc engine that generates 34PS (24kW or 34bhp). Thanks to this engine, the range goes up to about 300km (186 miles).
The interior is made of naturally treated leather, wood, wool and other renewable and recycled raw materials. We also can see that BMW fitted the i3 with an instrument cluster and iDrive operating system’s Control Display (6.5 inches as standard, 8.8 inches as an option) that includes the iDrive system, air conditioning controls and Radio Professional.
In Germany, you will have to pay around €34,950, but if you are in the U.S.A. this car will cost you $42,275. If you want to buy in the United Kingdom, you will have to spend £25,680 (includes the government's £5000 electric vehicle grant). The range-externder version will be more expensive.
Source: BMW
