BMW originally unveiled the i3 Coupe concept at the LA Auto Show last November, but BMW has announced that it will once again take the stage at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.
BMW originally unveiled the i3 Coupe concept at the LA Auto Show last November, but BMW has announced that it will once again take the stage at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. The i3 Coupe concept shows off the ongoing process of BMW’s upcoming electric i sub-brand and previews the production i3, which is slated to go into production later this year.
BMW has also announced that the i3 has an electric range of 80-100 miles, but if you want even more range the BMW i3 can also be supplied with an optional range extender, which increases the driving range to approximately 186 miles. BMW also says that the i3’s lithium-ion battery’s output and range is less affected by fluctuations in temperature than is typical of such batteries today. The technology behind this is an intelligent heating/cooling system which always keeps the battery at an optimal operating temperature. This improves the everyday practicality, stable performance and life expectancy of the battery. The BMW i3 features three driving modes: COMFORT, ECO PRO or ECO PRO+ mode. BMW also states that in “fast charging” mode the battery can be charged to give it 75 miles of range in the time it takes to stop for a cup of coffee.
BMW’s engineers also sought to to reduce the energy consumption of the i3’s electrical components. The cabin heating operates on the heat pump principle, which results in 30 percent energy savings in city driving compared with a conventional electrical heating system, while the internal and external lighting uses energy-saving LEDs. Together, these two measures make a significant contribution to “range security” in the BMW i3.
