BMW's Futuristic Hatch

   

BMW i3 Concept 

 

1

BMW has released the official pictures and details of its radical new small car, the electric-powered i3 due in 2013. The i3 will retain BMW's traditional rear-wheel- drive layout and have an electric motor over the rear axle, generating 125 kW of power and 250 Nm of torque - or pulling power - available from standstill.BMW says the i3 concept will accelerate from 0 to 60 km/h in less than four seconds and from rest to 100 km/h in less than eight seconds. The battery can be fully recharged in six hours at a standard power socket, or 80 per cent charged in an hour using a high-speed charger. Range is between 130km and 160km.
The company also revealed more interior design details for the two cars, including the fact that the i3 will have bench seats to allow the driver to park in tight spots and exit from the passenger side.
The doors open like coach doors, making access to the back seats easier, while there are luggage compartments in the back and front of the car. BMW has used aluminium and carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic to keep the weight of the car down, but the i3 is still not light by city car standards.
It weighs 1250kg, which is roughly the same as a Corolla or Mazda3. The Mazda2 weighs less than a tonne. The i3 is, however, considerably lighter than the Nissan Leaf electric car, which tips the scales at 1521kg.
The "i" cars have a revolutionary new two-part body construction, with one aluminium module that houses the car's vehicle's suspension, battery, drive systems and chassis structure, and another passenger cell that's made from CFRP.
The i3 is expected to be priced at a premium over other electric cars, which suggests a price tag of anywhere between $60,000 and $80,000.
BMW i3 Length: 3845mm
Height: 1537 mm
Width: 2011 mm
Wheelbase: 2570 mm Seats 4
Kerb weight: 1250 kg
Power: 125 kW
Torque: 250 Nm
Top speed: 150 km/h 0-100km/h: 7.9 sec
Range: 130-160 km
Charging time: 6 hours for 100 per cent charge (standard plug), one hour for 80 per cent charge (fast-charge)
Luggage space: 200 litres