As promised BMW as officially unveiled the BMW i3, which is going to arrive in the US in the second quarter of 2014.
As promised BMW as officially unveiled the BMW i3, which is going to arrive in the US in the second quarter of 2014. The BMW i3 electric vehicle will be available in three trim levels (Mega, Giga and Tera) and will start at $41,350 before any federal or state tax incentives are applied.
The BMW i3 is the first product of the new BMW i sub-brand and is the first ever production car to feature a Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) passenger cell. Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic is equally as strong as steel, while being 50% lighter, and 30% lighter than aluminum, which is why the i3 only weighs about 2,700 lbs. The Drive Module, which is constructed out of 100% aluminum, consists of the 22-kWh, 450 lb. lithium-ion battery, electric drive train, MacPherson strut and 5-link rear suspension system and structural and crash components.
The i3 is powered by a 174-hp electric motor with 184 lb-ft. of torque. It has a range up to 100 miles, but the available rear-mounted 650cc, 34 hp, two-cylinder, gasoline-powered Range Extender generator is available, which roughly doubles the vehicle’s range. The i3 will reach 0-60 mph in about seven seconds and has a top speed of 93 mph. It also features three drive modes: Comfort, ECO PRO and ECO PRO+. It is able to recharge in only 3 hours with the use of a 220V Level 2 charger. The SAE DC Combo Fast Charging charges the BMW i3 up to 80% in 20 minutes and 100% in 30 minutes.
Source: BMW
