-
Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
Automotive Technology
GREEN: BMW To Reveal New Electric Concept
The i3 Coupe concept will be added to the automaker’s range of electric and hybrid cars for its new i sustainability division at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
The i3 Coupe concept is a more stylized version of the i3 electric hatchback that’s being readied for production. (Photo: BMW)
BMW will roll out a new i3 Coupe electric concept car at this week’s 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show, the latest model from the automaker’s recently established i division for sustainability and future mobility.
As its name suggests, the latest concept is essentially a coupe version of the i3 we’ve been shown for the past year. BMW says the coupe body shows that even an economical car like the i3 can be emotive.
BMW has already presented the i3 electric hatch and i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, which are nearing the ends of their development phases and will be launched on the market in 2013 and 2014, respectively.
While the i3 Coupe is not destined for production just yet, the concept’s unveiling certainly demonstrates the potential for extending the i model range. Furthermore, this latest evolution of the i3 line of concepts gives us a better idea as to what the final production version will be like. Gone are the clear doors and impractical interiors of past concepts.
The biggest distinction between this latest concept and past i3 versions is the coupe roof line and the latest interpretation of the BMW i "stream flow" design that can be seen in the side window styling. The vehicle is also slightly wider than the regular i3.
Once again, lightweight carbon fiber is used for the construction of the body, with a chassis that is mostly aluminum. On the inside, a sense of spaciousness is combined with an exclusive lounge-style ambience in the seats and natural materials used, BMW says.
Additionally, the concept features the full suite of BMW ConnectedDrive functions that have been devised by i for use in production vehicles, including operation of the navigation system as well as the information transfer between the vehicle, the outside world and the driver's smartphone.
As for the powertrain, this is now quite familiar. Like all i3 concepts we’ve seen thus far, the new i3 Coupe features a rear-mounted electric motor spinning the rear wheels via a single-speed transmission. Its rating is 125 kW (170 horsepower) and 184 pound-feet of torque.
The electric motor draws its energy from lithium-ion storage cells under the floor. Positioning the battery units here has the effect of lowering the center of gravity considerably.
BMW predicts the vehicle can cover a distance of around 100 miles on a full battery charge, although the range covered by vehicles with all-electric drive is very much dependent on driving style, just as fuel consumption is in conventionally powered cars. The i3 Coupe helps the driver to optimize efficiency by offering three driving modes: Comfort, Eco Pro and Eco Pro+, with varying performance characteristics.
This story originally appeared at Motor Authority.
As its name suggests, the latest concept is essentially a coupe version of the i3 we’ve been shown for the past year. BMW says the coupe body shows that even an economical car like the i3 can be emotive.
BMW has already presented the i3 electric hatch and i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, which are nearing the ends of their development phases and will be launched on the market in 2013 and 2014, respectively.
While the i3 Coupe is not destined for production just yet, the concept’s unveiling certainly demonstrates the potential for extending the i model range. Furthermore, this latest evolution of the i3 line of concepts gives us a better idea as to what the final production version will be like. Gone are the clear doors and impractical interiors of past concepts.
The biggest distinction between this latest concept and past i3 versions is the coupe roof line and the latest interpretation of the BMW i "stream flow" design that can be seen in the side window styling. The vehicle is also slightly wider than the regular i3.
Once again, lightweight carbon fiber is used for the construction of the body, with a chassis that is mostly aluminum. On the inside, a sense of spaciousness is combined with an exclusive lounge-style ambience in the seats and natural materials used, BMW says.
Additionally, the concept features the full suite of BMW ConnectedDrive functions that have been devised by i for use in production vehicles, including operation of the navigation system as well as the information transfer between the vehicle, the outside world and the driver's smartphone.
As for the powertrain, this is now quite familiar. Like all i3 concepts we’ve seen thus far, the new i3 Coupe features a rear-mounted electric motor spinning the rear wheels via a single-speed transmission. Its rating is 125 kW (170 horsepower) and 184 pound-feet of torque.
The electric motor draws its energy from lithium-ion storage cells under the floor. Positioning the battery units here has the effect of lowering the center of gravity considerably.
BMW predicts the vehicle can cover a distance of around 100 miles on a full battery charge, although the range covered by vehicles with all-electric drive is very much dependent on driving style, just as fuel consumption is in conventionally powered cars. The i3 Coupe helps the driver to optimize efficiency by offering three driving modes: Comfort, Eco Pro and Eco Pro+, with varying performance characteristics.
This story originally appeared at Motor Authority.
The Lyonheart K
LATEST HEADLINES: AUTOMOTIVE
-
GREEN: Porsche Adding All-Model Hybrids
Gas/electric plug-versions of its entire lineup – including… -
AUTOS: Porsche Boosts 918 Spyder Power
The upcoming supercar will produce 887 horsepower from its gas/electric… -
AUTOS: Acura NSX Details Revealed
The rebirth of the mid-engine sports car – now an all-wheel-drive… -
DRIVEN: Jaguar’s Many-Splendored XJ
The British luxury sedan comes in 10 different flavors, with plenty… -
AUTOS: Lamborghini Egoista Launched
The wild single-seat concept car is unveiled at the end of the epic… -
AUTOS: Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Hot Pontiac G8
NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick helped his driver modify the 2009… -
VINTAGE: A Fast Historic Tour Of France
Vintage race and touring cars compete in the 22nd annual Tour de… - More News
