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Price |
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Production |
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Engine |
electric |
Weight |
-- |
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Aspiration |
-- |
Torque |
184
lb-ft |
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HP |
170
hp |
HP/Weight |
-- |
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HP/Liter |
-- |
1/4 mile |
-- |
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0-62 mph |
under 8 seconds |
Top Speed |
-- |
(from BMW Press
Release) BMW i3 Concept – dynamic, urban, emission-free.
The BMW i3 Concept is an
uncompromisingly sustainable vehicle designed for urban areas.
Driven purely by electric power and purpose-built to meet the
demands of sustainable and emission-free mobility, it embodies an
intelligent form of urban transportation and commuting.
The BMW i3 is a
well-resolved all-round concept, with every detail conceived and
optimised to fulfil its eventual purpose. Its innovative LifeDrive
architecture renders the BMW i3 Concept light, safe, spacious and
dynamic. Innovative use of materials and intelligent lightweight
design, moreover, not only enable the i3 Concept to travel long
distances on a single charge and provide superb safety in the event
of a collision, they also help give the car its excellent driving
dynamics. The electric motor over the rear axle – which generates
output of 125 kW/170 hp and impressive torque of 250 Nm (184 lb-ft)
from a standstill – and a small turning circle combine to deliver
pleasingly crisp driving characteristics. The BMW i3 Concept
accelerates from 0 to 60 km/h (37 mph) in under four seconds and
from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than eight seconds.
The so-called Life
module conjures up a feeling of space inside the car more generous
than even the latest conversion vehicles can offer. Select materials
lend the open and airy cabin a lounge-like character. The use of
renewable raw materials is another defining characteristic of the
interior, offering passengers a further means of “experiencing” the
sustainability of the vehicle. Parts of the instrument panel and
door panelling are visibly made from natural fibres, while the
naturally tanned leather of the seats creates a lounge-style
ambience. With four seats, wide-opening opposing “coach” doors, a
boot capacity of around 200 litres and an additional functional
compartment in the front, the BMW i3 Concept is neatly equipped for
the demands of everyday use.
Innovative connectivity
functions create a seamless connection between the BMW i3 Concept
and its customers’ lives outside the car. Remote functions
accessible via a smartphone enable owners to find their vehicles,
flag up nearby charging stations, allow battery charging and
preconditioning at the touch of a button, and supply information on
the current status of the vehicle. Meanwhile, intelligent assistance
systems ease the stress on drivers in monotonous city driving
situations and allow them to arrive at their destination more safely
and in a more relaxed state of mind.
The LifeDrive architecture of the
BMW i3 Concept.
Both the BMW i3 Concept
and the BMW i8 Concept feature the LifeDrive architecture, but the
geometric implementation of the concept differs in the two models,
having been adapted to suit their different usages. The BMW i3
Concept features a horizontal-split variant of the LifeDrive
concept. Here, the Drive module provides the solid foundations for
the Life cell, which is simply mounted on top. The reason for this
functional rendition of the LifeDrive architecture is the large
battery. In order to ensure the greatest possible electric range,
the battery in the BMW i3 Concept is correspondingly large. The most
space-efficient place to store the battery cells was in the car’s
underfloor section, where they occupy the whole of the module’s
central section, giving the car optimum weight distribution and a
low centre of gravity. The battery is penned in by aluminium
profiles, which protect it from external impacts. Crash-active
structures in front and behind it provide the necessary energy
absorption in the event of a front- or rear-end collision. The
electric drive system is, as a whole, much more compact than a
comparable combustion engine, cleverly accommodating the electric
motor, gear assembly and drive electronics – in space-saving fashion
– within a small area over the driven rear axle. The BMW i3 Concept
therefore features the optimum LifeDrive architecture configuration
for a purely electric vehicle.
The integration of all the drive components within the Drive module
removes the need for a centre tunnel bisecting the interior, through
which power would previously have been transferred to the rear
wheels. The BMW i3 Concept therefore offers significantly more
interior space than other vehicles with the same wheelbase and –
through solutions such as a full-width seat bench – also allows the
interior to be adapted extremely effectively to the needs of urban
mobility. The BMW i3 Concept offers comfortable accommodation for
four passengers and, with around 200 litres of boot space, room for
their luggage as well.
The chassis of the BMW
i3 Concept is also ideal for city driving. Its enviably small
turning circle and direct steering responses are a recipe for
outstanding agility, notably at low speeds.
All-electric – the BMW i3 Concept.
The electric motor of
the BMW i3 Concept is designed primarily for operation in an urban
environment, developing 125 kW/170 hp, with peak torque of 250 Nm
(184 lb-ft). Typically of an electric motor, maximum torque is
developed from standstill, in contrast to an internal combustion
engine where torque increases with engine rpm. This makes the BMW i3
Concept highly agile and provides impressive acceleration. The BMW
i3 Concept accomplishes 0-60 km/h (37 mph) in under four seconds and
0-100 km/h (62 mph) in under eight seconds.
At the same time the
abundant torque is delivered over a very large rpm range, resulting
in very smooth power delivery. The single-speed gearbox provides
optimal power transmission to the rear wheels and accelerates the
BMW i3 Concept to an electronically governed 150 km/h (93 mph)
without loss of power. The electric drive also allows for
deceleration by means of the accelerator pedal. After the driver
eases up on the accelerator, the electric motor acts as a generator,
converting the kinetic energy into electricity which is then fed
back into the battery. Energy recuperation generates a braking
effect which makes a significant contribution to vehicle
deceleration.
A coasting facility
makes this unique “single-pedal control” of acceleration and braking
using just the accelerator even more user-friendly. When the driver
eases off the pedal, the electric motor’s zero torque control keeps
the drive train disconnected as long as the pedal is in this
position. The vehicle now coasts without consuming power, driven by
its own kinetic energy.
Compact and powerful – the
electric motor.
The electric motor of
the BMW i3 Concept not only offers attractive driveability; its
innovative nature is particularly evident in the favourable
power-to-size ratio. As a result of continuous development and
refinement, the space requirements of the electric motor used in the
BMW i3 Concept have been reduced by 40 per cent compared with the
motor used in the MINI E. This compact drive unit is mounted over
the rear axle, together with the power electronics, transmission and
differential, and does not intrude into the interior. The power
needed to drive the vehicle and to operate all other vehicle
functions is supplied by specially developed lithium-ion battery
cells. The BMW i3 Concept’s battery system has undergone detailed
optimisation which significantly reduces the extent to which
external factors can influence the vehicle’s power. Furthermore, an
intelligent heating/cooling system keeps the battery at its optimal
operating temperature at all times, which helps to significantly
boost the performance and life expectancy of the cells.
The battery can be fully
recharged in six hours at a standard power socket. If a high-speed
charger is used, an 80 per cent charge can be achieved in just one
hour.
Range extender increases the
driving range.
As the MINI E field
tests showed, 90 per cent of the mobility requirements of the pilot
users could be met with the range of the MINI E. However, some
customers want a longer driving range, or want their vehicle to be
as flexible as possible. The BMW i3 Concept therefore offers an
optional range extender, the REx, which allows the driving range to
be increased. REx, a small, very smooth-running and quiet petrol
engine, drives a generator which maintains the battery charge level
to ensure that the vehicle can continue to run on electric power.
The proportions – dynamic,
compact.
The design of the BMW i3
Concept reveals the car’s qualities the first time you set eyes on
it. The BMW i3 Concept represents the dynamic interpretation of an
impressively practical vehicle.
Agile and compact proportions showcase the agility of the BMW i3
Concept and the dynamic prowess of its electric drive system. From
the side view, the window graphics and door sills combine to create
a dynamic wedge shape, giving the car the feeling of pushing forward
before it even turns a wheel. From the outside, a flowing silhouette
and long wheelbase hint at the extraordinarily generous levels of
space on offer in the interior, while short front and rear overhangs
make parking in tight spaces that much easier. Practicality gets
another boost from the “coach doors”, whose opposing construction
creates a fresh new way of accessing the large, open spaces of the
interior.
Extensive glass surfaces
and black elements like the window surrounds and door sills give the
vehicle a feeling of lightness and, together with the exposed carbon
structures, draw attention to its low weight. Large, narrow 19-inch
wheels add further impact to the dynamic side profile.
The striking front end.
The front end of the BMW
i3 Concept has a very clear and uncluttered design. The dominant
element here is the strikingly moulded kidney grille, which has the
hallmark BMW i blue background and – thanks to the car’s
all-electric drive system – is totally blanked off. Below the kidney
grille, the silver-coloured layer lends the sculptural front apron
its form. Black surfaces identify the functional areas of the front
end, such as the load compartment under the bonnet and the air
inlets.
Clearly defined
AirCurtains also lend visible expression to the honed aerodynamics
of this BMW i model. The eye-catching LED headlights usher in a
fresh take on BMW light design. Along with the strikingly formed
kidney grille, the LED-backlit U-shaped lines form an important part
of the arresting new BMW i face.
The functional rear end.
The rear end of the BMW
i3 Concept represents a microcosm of the car’s impressive
functionality overall. The large, retractable rear window offers
optimum access to the luggage compartment, and the roof pillars
stand upright to create as much space as possible in the interior.
The rear window is also home to the tail lights, which are U-shaped
(like the headlights) and appear to be floating in the glass. Behind
it lies an extremely versatile boot area, whose capacity can be
further increased by folding down the rear seats.
The wide, silver-coloured rear diffuser marks the body’s lowest edge
and allows the driver to experience the car’s efficient
aerodynamics. Bordered by a blue layer, the diffuser tapers heavily
towards the road and appears to continue underneath the car. The
form of the diffuser underlines the car’s powerful stance. A
sportier version can be found on the BMW i8 Concept, forging a link
between the two models.
Self-supporting and light – the
interior.
The version of the
LifeDrive architecture that underlies the BMW i3 Concept opens up
totally new avenues in interior design. There is no centre tunnel
bisecting the cabin, and the interior thus creates a very free, open
and airy impression.
The passengers sit in a
raised “semi-command” position which provides a good view over the
hustle and bustle of city traffic and, at the same time, eases
access to the seats.
The full-width seat
benches in the front and rear create a new and connecting feeling of
space for the passengers in the light interior. This layout also
allows them to swap from one side of the car to the other and, if
necessary, to all climb out of the car comfortably on the same side.
This represents a major boost to comfort in tight parking spaces and
when access to one side of the parked car is impeded.
A distinctive element of
the light interior is the freestanding steering column. All the
driving-oriented controls – such as the instrument cluster,
start/stop button and gearshift lever – can be found here, rendering
a centre console superfluous. Behind the steering column the
extremely intricate yet extensive instrument panel spans the
interior. It begins at the air vents next to the steering wheel,
continues in a line around the steering column, includes the radio
and climate controls, and continues on its path to the front
passenger. Shortly before the front passenger door it then shears
upwards, heads back towards the centre of the interior and reaches
the end of its journey in the central information display (CID)
monitor positioned above the control panel for the radio and climate
system. Around the displays, by contrast, the instrument panel
generates an almost calligraphic surface design in which one large,
wide surface sweeps prominently into a narrower and more delicate
counterpart, before culminating in another wide section. The CID and
control unit therefore present an attractive contrast to the clear,
precise borders of the instrument panel.
The area around the
instrument panel, the doors and the floor area of the BMW i3 Concept
also features contrasting materials. The natural origins of the
high-strength dark anthracite material made from compressed and
coated plant fibres are clearly evident and showcase the light,
high-quality and beautifully crafted elements of the interior to
optimum effect.
Interface design.
Connectivity – the
linking up of the driver and passengers with the outside world and
information superhighway – plays an important role in the BMW i3
Concept. Three large displays act as interfaces between the vehicle
and the outside world. The 6.5-inch (16.5 cm) instrument cluster,
meanwhile, emerges out of the steering column directly in front of
the driver. Its freestanding design generates a very free and open
feel around and above the driver’s head. Meanwhile, the central
8.8-inch (22.4 cm) information display (CID) curves out of the black
technical layer of the instrument panel’s upper section towards the
passengers. It blends seamlessly into the black surrounds, creating
a very high-quality, continuous black surface which makes the
display appear even larger. Below, the likewise unbroken black
audio/climate control panel shares the form of the CID. Like the
CID, the homogeneous touch-control surface curves towards the
passengers and uses another screen to show additional information
relating to the content on the central information display.
On another level, the
highly technical-looking display graphics of the instrument cluster
and CID lend visual form to the BMW i3 Concept’s electric drive
philosophy. All the information is displayed in the high quality and
visually appealing fashion you would expect from BMW. Although the
relationship of the i3 Concept to the parent brand is clearly
evident again here, a very distinctive graphics profile has been
created for BMW i with the emphasis on an individual and minimalist
approach.
