The i3 city car and the i8 supercar from BMW could be in production as early as 2013.
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 agile driving characteristics.
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 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 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 agile 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.
The so-called Life module conjures up a feeling of space inside the car more generous than even the latest conversion vehicles can offer.
Parts of the instrument panel and door panelling are visibly made from natural fibres, while the naturally tanned leather of the There is no centre tunnel bisecting the cabin and the interior thus creates a very free, open and airy impression.
The full-width seat benches in the front and rear create a new and connecting feeling of space for the passengers in the light interior.
This represents a major boost to comfort in tight parking spaces and when access to one side of the parked car is impeded.
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.
Dynamic and compact proportions showcase the agility of the BMW i3 Concept and the its electric drive train. From the side view, the window graphics and door sills combine to create a dynamic wedge shape, giving the car the feeling of pushing forward before it even turns a wheel.
From the outside, a flowing silhouette and long wheelbase hint at the extraordinarily generous levels of space on offer in the interior, while short front and rear overhangs make parking in tight spaces that much easier.
The front end of the BMW i3 Concept has a very clear and uncluttered design. The dominant element here is the strikingly moulded kidney grille which has the hallmark BMW i blue background and – thanks to the car's all-electric drive system – is totally blanked off.
Below the kidney grille the silver-coloured layer lends the sculptural front apron its form. Black surfaces identify the functional areas of the front end, such as the load compartment under the bonnet and the air inlets.
Clearly defined AirCurtains also lend visible expression to the honed aerodynamics of this BMW i model. The eye-catching LED headlights usher in a fresh take on BMW light design.
Along with the strikingly formed kidney grille, the LED-backlit U-shaped lines form an important part of the arresting new BMW i face.
The large, retractable rear window offers optimum access to the luggage compartment, and the roof pillars stand upright to create as much space as possible in the interior.
The form of the diffuser underlines the car's powerful stance. A sportier version can be found on the BMW i8 Concept, forging a link between the two models.
The version of the LifeDrive architecture that underlies the BMW i3 Concept opens up totally new avenues in interior design.