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Barely a year after the unveiling of the 2+2-seater BMW i8 Concept and previously the Vision, BMW i is now presenting us the second series of this innovative hybrid sports car.
This is a car in which outstanding performance potential goes hand-in-hand with extremely low fuel consumption and emissions with its 96 kW (131 hp) electric motor on the front axle works in tandem with a turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine sending 164 kW (223 hp) through the rear wheels.
Both units are in-house BMW Group developments and generate an aggregate system output of 260 kW (354 hp) and peak torque of 550 Newton metres. That is enough to accelerate the BMW i8 Concept Spyder from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in five seconds on the way to an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).
The performance figures are groundbreaking if its claim to return a whopping 94 mpg in tes cases (All Downhill??).
And to top of the car they have thrown in 2 electric Kickboards for the Michael J Fox in us all, what ever next a flux Capacitor?
Here are the latest spyshots of the BMW I3 testing in northern Sweden.
The eDrive technology consisting of an extremely agile electric motor developed and built by BMW, innovative battery technology and an intelligent engine management system. Makes the BMW i3 extremely agile and a joy to drive. 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 dynamic driving characteristics.
The BMW i3 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.
Innovative connectivity functions create a seamless connection between the BMW i3 and its customers’ lives outside the car. 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. Meanwhile, intelligent BMW ConnectedDrive assistance systems ease the stress on drivers in city driving situations and allow a safer arrival at their destination, with a more relaxed state of mind.
Originally named as the MegaCity concept, the BMW i3 will be the first vehicle produced under the i brand when it arrives next year. Two structures make up both the i3 and i8’s LifeDrive architecture – predictably, the Life aand Drive modules.
As its name would suggest, the Life part of the equation is what contains the driver and passengers, and the platforms have been individually developed for each model. In the case of the i3, a lightweight body structure is made up of a combination of aluminum and carbon fiber-reinforced plastics, with the Drive module mounted underneath, obviating the need for a transmission tunnel and allowing BMW to install two bench seats for four occupants in the front and back while providing 200 liters (7.06 cubic-feet) of storage.
Underneath that lightweight body lies the Drive system, comprised of the suspension, battery and drivetrain, along with structural and safety components. A liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery back spans the undercarriage and supplies juice to an electric motor mounted directly above the rear-drive axle. Yup, this a rear-wheel-drive EV hatchback, with the motor putting out 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque through a single-speed gearbox. BMW claims the i3 can reach an electronically limited top speed of 93 miles per hour and make the run from 0-60 in under eight seconds.
An available PRO ECO mode tweaks the throttle and electronics to boost efficiency, and braking regeneration feeds kinetic energy back into the battery pack. Remarkably, BMW also claims that you can charge the battery back to full in six hours using a standard power socket and the i3’s batteries can get to 80 percent in one hour using a high-speed charger (we’ll be getting more details on both very soon).
i8 – Vision Concept
This car was first released in 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show as the Vision Concept and was spied in Northern Sweden in 2010-2011 (Yellow Snow Edition)
Unlike the standard i3, the i8 will be a plug-in hybrid, with a turbocharged, 1.5-liter three-cylinder powerplant mounted up front and putting out 220 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. Combined with the electric motor, the run from 0-60 mph is claimed to blow by in under five seconds, with fuel consumption estimated at three liters per 100 kilometers and seven liters per 100 clicks when driven like… well, a BMW.
The three-pot works in tandem with a lithium-ion battery pack and front-mounted electric motor pulled from the i3 and driving the front wheels, allowing an electric-only range of up to 20 miles on a charge. Put both systems together and you’ve got a front-wheel-drive vehicle for maximum efficiency, a rear-driver for maximum fun and all-wheel drive for maximum grip. And if that isn’t enticing enough, the i8 has a perfect 50/50 weight distribution.
The new flagship prototype of the next Chapter of BMW history has been spotted undergoing winter testing in Sweden along with leaking fluids hope hes got Floor Mats from CarID.
Originally unveiled as the Vision concept in 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show as the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept and still wearing this moniker.
There is not a lot of details to grasp on the performancce of the the electric car and we expect this to be around the 200bhp, but due to the maximum power will be available immediately from the electric motors and expect to humm along to 62mph in around 5.0 seconds.
We expect a mid mounted diesel hybrid to be released first quarter 2013 and the full electric following.
BMW have officially released pictures of the third generation of the top-class Coupé ahead of its Shanghai debut.
Designed to be the flagship of BMW’s Coupe design the car is packed with features, including detailing such as the shark nose with the usual xenon light clusters.
The rear of the car hints at the power of the coupe detailing a twin Exhaust array, saving the usual quad for the exclusive M-Series rumoured to be shown with the M6 at Frankfurt later this year.
Officially announced is 2 engines:-
650i Will be powered by a 4.4 liter v8 twin turbo with a power output of 300 kW/407 hp at 5,500 – 6,400 rpm, 0-62 mph of 4.9 Seconds.
640i Will be powered by a 3.0 litre twin turbo with a power output of 235 kW/320 hp at 5,800 rpm, 0-62 mph of 5.4.
We expect some diesel models along with a hybrid to be introduced in 2012.
Today, BMW announced the new sub-brand which will market all future electric vehicles from BMW. The sub-brand is simply called “i” and the first vehicle to come to market is the Megacity urban car.
Megacity Vehicle will carry the “i3″ branding and will be followed just a year later by the production ready variant of the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept unveiled back in 2009 at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
“i was born today, February 21st, 2011″ could be BMW’s new slogan and the beginning of a new era. According to BMW, letter “i” stands for innovation. It started with “i-drive”, in 2007, Project-i came to life. Now, an evolution of premium mobility, innovative and integrated, the new “i” sub-brand will offer premium products and services as an independent brand.
