MW i3 and i8 Revealed in New York City

Finally, the first member of the new i-Series cars "flesh" has revealed - BMW i3 and BMW I8. Both recruits will be officially unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September and present to the market in 2013.

I8 and i3 are the first car i-Series line of environmentally friendly BMW. While the five-door hatchback i3 electric vehicle is the first mass production of the BMW, I8 hybrid sports car is strong.

General principle that BMW developed applications for both i3 and I8 is based on a completely new structure of the firm, called "LifeDrive", the car division into separate compartments. Drive is the first compartment, which is made mostly of aluminum to hold the pin, suspension and safety structure. Next to the passenger compartment Life applications of plastic materials reinforced carbon fiber materials (CFRP). BMW said the CFRP material as hard as steel but lighter than 50%.

BMW generous concept demonstration both at the same time, so easy to understand i3 and I8 also share a common language futuristic design. Certainly many details on both the sedan and hatchback when you go into mass production will be eliminated. Especially the interior space of the i3 and I8 only for ideas.

Symbol logos are familiar BMW front hood more green circle represents the car-friendly environment, similar to the kidney-shaped grille, on the wing and the following resistance. Current round headlights of the BMW replaced by a U-shaped LED is coming, this change also appears on the tail lights. Furthermore, both the i3 and carry on his I8 with many soft lines, the graft used to shape and the wheels 5-spoke turbine design format.

BMW i3 pioneering electric hatchback

Provides power for BMW i3 concept is a electric motor mounted on the rear combined with the drive system. This is the upgraded version of the electric motor for MINI E test vehicles, the capacity can produce 170 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque, which allows i3 to accelerate from 0 to 60 km / h in less to 4 seconds and hit 100 km / h in less than 8 seconds, before reaching a top speed electronically limited 150 km / h.

In addition, the support of single-level gear to help BMW i3 concept can reach a top speed of 150 km / h. Energy supply for the electric motor works by lithium-ion battery supply, with a cooling system with liquid placed between the floorboards. In winter, the battery system was heated by a similar method.

With standard power source, the battery can fully charge in six hours. Meanwhile, if fast charging options, just one hour would have been 80% battery. The five-door hatchback can make the long journey of about 120 - 160km when fully charged battery.

To increase the distance every time you charge the battery, BMW introduced a Range Extender option (Rex). Rex package including a small gasoline engine capacity to function as a generator to maintain the battery's energy can therefore extend over distances. Specifically, to save energy, Rex is also equipped with the engine off and restart automatic Start / Stop and operating features intelligent.

i3 is BMW's smallest model, with dimensions length x width x height respectively 3.845mm, 1.537mm and 2.011mm, the 2.570mm wheelbase. Thus, compared with the Volkswagen Golf, BMW i3 higher and wider, but shorter than 30 cm. In return, the BMW i3 own weight at just 1,250 kg, 50 kg lighter.

The car had four seats, door open turn counterclockwise, around 200 liters of storage volume, add a small storage space in front. Thus, usability of the vehicle not inferior to the other petrol hatchback rivals, while cars take up less space to hold the pin.

BMW I8 - a powerful hybrid

I8 is BMW coupe plug-in hybrid sports car based on the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept unveiled in 2009, or a step closer to commercial production version of BMW for green technology. Expected, BMW I8 also present on the market in 2013.

Members of the sports i-Series combines electric propulsion systems of the i3, but has been modified, combined front drive system rather than the rear. This electric motor paired with gasoline 3-cylinder turbocharged 1.5L instead of diesel as in the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept, for a capacity of 220 kW and 300 Nm of torque.

Traditional gasoline engine power directly to the rear wheels via a semi-automatic gearbox, while the electric motor is at the front using two-level transmission delivers power to undertake his duties for the front wheel. Thus, the hybrid system on the BMW I8 for a total capacity of 349 kW and peak torque of 550 nanometers. Coupe capable of accelerating from 0-100km / h in just 4.6 seconds and a top speed of 250km / h.

At the same time, BMW I8 property index impressive fuel consumption, averaging 2.7 liters per 100 kilometers. A large lithium-ion battery will power the electric motor of the vehicle. Full charge time is 1 hour 45 minutes, with power in the family car for 35 miles in full electric mode.

BMW says the arrangement of the electric motor and gasoline engine in front and above the weight distribution made before / after optimization 50/50, while the use of lightweight materials, like aluminum in the chassis and plastic reinforced with carbon fiber (CFRP) in the body, helps the weight of the vehicle at only 1.480kg. BMW I8 length 4.632mm, 1.280mm wide and 1.955mm high.

Currently, both the i-Series rookie last stop in the form as a concept. However, they appear on the market in 2013, i3 and I8 is expected to most applications and equipped with the technology. Prices for the BMW i3 can be about 26,000 pounds and 150,000 pounds for BMW I8.

Posted in: BMW