A few days ago, we witnessed the launch of the all-new BMW i3. A strategic launch for BMW, since it’s more than just the launch of a new model – it’s also the launch of a new brand. BMW is heralding the BMW i3 as the start of a new era in electromobility, the first mass-produced all-electric model from the BMW Group, with visionary design, revolutionary vehicle architecture and typical BMW driving pleasure.
A launch with a lot of pomp and circumstance, featuring famous DJs and celebrities, for a car that’s just as premium.
Another striking feature is the innovative interconnection, the forward-looking premium touch, strongly marked by sustainable development. Its unique technological content in the competitive environment, the result of extensive research and development work carried out as part of “project i”, and the unique technological expertise of the BMW Group.
The commercial launch of the BMW i3 marks the beginning of a new era in electromobility. This is the first premium car whose concept has been designed from the outset for an all-electric drive system. It offers numerous advantages over conventional “conversion cars”, in which the original combustion engine has been replaced by an electric motor. The architecture, dimensions and layout of all the components of the
electric drive system can be freely chosen. What’s more, instead of an existing automotive package, it’s the qualities targeted for the new product that set the framework for the design engineers. On a “conversion car”, for example, the space reserved for the fuel tank or exhaust system can hardly be put to good use after conversion. On the BMW i3, no such compromises were necessary. On the contrary, the design engineers had the opportunity to rigorously hone
the character of the BMW i3 as a premium car that is as sporty and agile as it is comfortable for urban and suburban use.
In terms of driving qualities, this means that the engineers were able to create an ideal relationship between the car’s weight, its driving performance and its range. This is particularly important because these three factors influence each other. While larger batteries increase range, they also make the car heavier, to the detriment of road performance. A particularly powerful engine requires more energy, which also translates into heavier batteries
or a shorter range. Conversely, a lightweight body improves road performance; the weight “saved” can also be “invested” in larger batteries, which in turn increase range.
In this respect, the BMW i3 offers the perfect package for sporty driving pleasure in the city. With a DIN kerb weight of 1,195 kilograms, it’s lighter than most cars in the compact segment, yet offers significantly more space for all four occupants.
With a zero to 100 km/h time of 7.2 seconds and a zero to 60 km/h time of 3.7 seconds, it outpaces conventional cars of comparable size and power. And as extensive practical tests carried out as part of “project i” have shown, its range of 130 to 160 kilometers on a daily basis is more than enough to satisfy the
daily mobility needs of its target clientele.
The BMW i3 is the first car in the premium segment designed for all-electric driving. Its innovative automotive concept is also expressed in its design. Its exterior and interior design are strongly influenced by the LifeDrive architecture and the future-oriented drive system. These two features are particularly distinctive, creating a unique sense of space and an exceptional driving experience.
The origins, identity and personality of the BMW i3 are all reflected in its design. The reinterpretation of well-established styling elements signals the car’s membership of the BMW family. The original design language, which will also characterize future BMW i models, embodies lightness, safety, efficiency and driving pleasure. The design accentuates the specific qualities that distinguish the BMW i3. The look of BMW Group’s first all-electric model underlines its premium character, logically extended to include sustainability, optimized functionality thanks to LifeDrive architecture, and the new pleasure of city driving without the slightest harmful emissions.
The BMW i3 is the world’s first fully networked electric car. The innovative driver aids and mobility services offered by BMW ConnectedDrive and specially tailored to the all-electric drive technology not only optimize safety, comfort and the use of the infotainment package on board the car, but also the possibilities of getting around town without releasing any emissions.
BMW ConnectedDrive is the only one of its kind, helping drivers to be mobile while respecting the principle of sustainable development and enjoying the pleasure of driving.
Navigation services specially developed to meet the demands of electromobility complement the familiar BMW ConnectedDrive offerings in their refocused 2013 version. Mobility services, such as Concierge Service and Intelligent Emergency Call, are just as much a part of this as a host of innovative driver aids
, which contribute to targeted improvements in comfort and safety on urban and suburban journeys. BMW ConnectedDrive services are accessed via a SIM card, integrated as standard in the car. Interconnection between driver and car also reaches a new dimension on the BMW i3. The BMW i Remote App also sends route-planning data from the car to the customer’s smartphone. In addition to the “Send to Phone” function, which shows the route from the parking lot to the final destination, as well as the way back to the parked car, BMW ConnectedDrive offers a new type of intermodal navigation, which also takes into account public transport connections when planning routes. From the journey in the BMW i3 to the last stop on foot at
, from finding a parking space to connecting to a bus or metro – BMW i ConnectedDrive services take the customer
precisely and efficiently to any destination.
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