SA-BOUND BMW I3 CONCEPT DETAILED

BMW unveiled the i3 Concept car today, a small city transporter that runs entirely on electricity or electric power. The i3 is one of two futuristic cars being introduced by the Bavarians in the next couple of years. Good news is that South Africans will be able to buy the i3 at local dealerships within the next 3 years.

i3 comes fitted with a large battery located under the car’s floor, and powers the electric motor to the tune of 125kW and 250Nm of torque made at idle speeds. A 1-speed (yes, the car only has one forward gear) gearbox facilitates for power to go to the rear wheels. It is said the i3 will go from 0 – 100km/h in less than 8 seconds. Top speed is 150km/h and an everyday range of between 130km and 160km is claimed.

BMW’s so-called LifeDrive concept of construction means the i3 is designed as an electric car from the ground up, meaning every component is optimised to this right from conception. Kinetic energy is converted into electricity as soon as the driver eases up on the accelerator.

Inside there is a 16.5cm instrument cluster that emerges out of the steering column directly in front of the driver, while a bigger, 22.4cm information display curves out of the black technical layer of the instrument panel’s upper section towards the passengers.

The i3 measures 3.8 metres long, 1.5m high, 2 metres wide and has a wheelbase of 2.6m. In essence the i3 is a little bigger than the current MINI hatch, although both cars sit four passengers.