BMW unveils i3 and i8 concepts [with videos]
August 16th, 2011 Posted in BMW-iBavarian car manufacturer BMW introduces their BMW-i Brand by unveiling two concept vehicles of their green car sub brand prior to its official debut in Frankfurt next month.
The first all electric car by BMW will the i3 Concept which was based on the MegaCity concept. The electric city car will have electric motors linked to its reax axle that will produce around 170 horsepower and a torque of around 184 lb-ft.
The BMW i3 will be able to speed up from 0 to 60 kilometers per hour in less than four seconds and can get to 100 km/h in a matter of 8 seconds.
The other BMW concept electric vehicle is the i8 which is a sports car with a plug-in hybrid setup. It will have the same kind of electric motor as its sibling the i3 but the motor will be connected to its front axle. It will also have a 3-cylinder 1.5L petrol engine that is turbocharged and can output 164 kW with a torque of 221 lb-ft which will be on rear wheel drive configuration.
The i8′s top speed is limited by the system to 250 km/h or 155 mph. It can go for 35 kilometers using its electric motors alone and the fuel mileage is around 3 liters for every 100 kilometers.
BMW implemented new principles of construction for their line of BMW-i brand vehicles to distinguish it from the rest of their range. The concept revolves around LifeDrive which is made up of two moduels. On the i3 the Drive modules consists of the suspension system, the power train and the battery housed in an aluminum structure to protect it during a crash. The Life module is made up of the body panels and passenger cells made from lightweight and high strength materials.
The i8 also makes use of the LifeDrive construction priciple with the Drive unit made up of the battery, passenger cell, and rear axles while the rest of the car defines its Life module made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic.
Below are clips to give you an idea about the BMW-i car concepts:
