On Monday 29th July 2013, BMW will finally unveil their hugely anticipated all electric i3 compact. Watch the LIVE launch with us, here on AutoVolt.
The area above will update to show the LIVE launch on Monday 29th July at 13:15 GMT (14:15 CEST).
Good morning New York, hello London, wanshang hao Beijing – at 13:15 Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) or 14.30 Central European Standard Time (CEST) on Monday, 29 July 2013, these greetings will ring out from megacities in the USA, Europe and Asia to mark the unveiling of the BMW i3 to a global audience. The spectacular premiere for this revolutionary vehicle takes place exactly two years after the BMW i3 Concept was presented in Frankfurt on 29 July 2011 prior to the International Motor Show (IAA).
2013 BMW i3 All Electric Vehicle (EV) Specs at a glance:
| Price | From £25,680 OTR (including £5000 Government Grant) |
| Engine | 170hp (125 kW) Power & 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) Torque |
| Layout | 4 Seat, RWD |
| Suspension | Front: MacPherson single-joint. Rear: five-link rear axle mounted directly to the Drive module. |
| 0-62mph (0-100 km/h) | Approx. 7 seconds |
| Range | 80-100 miles in normal use, 160-180 miles with optional range extender engine |
| Charging Times | 0 to 80% in 3hrs using BMW i Wallbox. DC Fast Charging, 0 to 80% in 30 mins to 1hr. |
| Charging Types | BMW i Wallbox, Level 2 SAE J1772, standard 3-pin plug |
| Safety & Technical | Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Brake Assist, Brake Standby, Start-Off Assistant, Fading Compensation and the Brake Drying function |
| Standard Equipment | 6.5inch Colour Screen, electric windows, inbuilt SIM card for BMW ConnectedDrive, 19″ forged aluminum wheels, |
30 point summary of what we already know about the BMW i3:
- The research and development work carried out since 2007 as part of project i has laid the foundations for sustainable mobility solutions influenced by environmental, economic and social change around the world.
- Zero driving emission mobility in a premium car package.
- Based around the LifeDrive structure and its carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell (see image below).
- The electric motor, power electronics and high-voltage lithium-ion battery have been developed and manufactured independently by the BMW Group under its BMW eDrive program.
- The use of lightweight CFRP for the passenger cell cancels out the extra weight contributed by the lithium-ion battery.
- Low, central positioning of the battery pack enhances the car’s agility thanks to near perfect 50:50 weight distribution.
- Drive system provides excellent traction due to the position of the electric motor, close to the rear axle.
- Designed to be highly maneuverable, for use in the city.
- Small turning circle (32.3 ft or 9.86 meters).
- Electric motor generates an output of 170hp (125 kW) and peak torque of 184 lb-ft (250 Nm).
- The electric motor weighs just 110 lbs. (50 kg). By comparison your average 1.3 petrol weighs 200 lbs. (90 kg).
- The BMW i3 sprints from 0 to 35 mph (0 – 60 km/h) in about 3.5 seconds and 0 to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) in approximately seven seconds.
- Single-pedal control.
- Recuperation mode is activated the moment the driver lifts off the accelerator.
- The car “coasts” with maximum efficiency at high speeds and generates a strong braking effect at low speeds.
- BMW i3 can achieve a range of 80 – 100 miles (130 – 160 km) in everyday driving. This can be increased by up to approximately 12 percent in ECO PRO mode and by the same amount again in ECO PRO+ mode.
- BMW i3 is also available with a range-extender engine (a 650cc twin-cylinder petrol engine), which increases maximum range in day-to-day driving to around 160 – 180 miles (250 – 300 km).
- Features an inbuilt SIM card for inter-connectivity.
- With ConnectedDrive on your smartphone you can control your BMW i3 from wherever you want, to start whenever you want, including viewing the current charge of the battery and whether the boot is shut or the lights are off.
- Nifty navigation extension that allows the car to navigate you while on foot from the parking space of the i3, to your actual destination. Or, get you back to the car if you have a poor memory of where you left your car.
- The supply of energy while charging can be controlled via smartphone and the air conditioning and heating function for the high-voltage battery pack can also be activated remotely.
- BMW i3 can be charged using either the home charging station supplied by BMW i or any public charging station that uses a Level 2 SAE J1772 charging system.
- 7.4Kw charge from the BMW i Wallbox can power up the BMW i3 from zero to 80 per cent within three hours.
- Occasional charging can also be performed using a pre-supplied cable, fitting a standard household socket at 3.7Kw.
- DC Fast Charging is available to owners and allows a BMW i3 to get an 80 per cent charge in just 30 minutes to one hour.
- If the BMW i3 isn’t up to the distance, it is possible to sign onto BMW’s, “flexible mobility solutions” which can include borrowing/renting an alternative vehicle from BMW.
- DIN curb weight of 1,195 kilograms, (2,630 lbs)
- Exotic materials used in the BMW i3’s construction, including the CFRP mentioned previously and a magnesium supporting structure used for the instrument panel.
- Customer deliveries to start in the UK in November, 2013 with a lease price starting from £369 a month for 36 months, with an initial payment £2,995 (incl. VAT).
- Outright purchase price is from £25,680 OTR (including the current £5000 Government grant subject to availability).
BMW i3 Gallery
