09-27-2012, 10:58 PM | #1 |
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Paris 2012: BMW i3 Shows Carbon Fiber Passenger Cell and New Sustainable Interior
BIMMERPOST NEWS Paris 2012: BMW i3 Shows Carbon Fiber Passenger Cell and New Sustainable Interior The BMW i3 Concept may be a bit of an old regular at the major auto shows by now, but it showed some elements off for the first time at the 2012 Paris auto show. Interior: This latest version of the i3 Concept features an interior design geared towards sustainability. The eucalyptus wood used for the instrument panel comes from a sustainable cultivation source in Europe and is treated exclusively with natural substances. The high-quality leather of the seats has a fine surface consistency achieved by processing tanning agents gained from olive leaves. What is more, parts of the instrument cluster and door trim are made of natural wool fabric. CFRP Construction: Also showing publicly for the first time is the carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell [first previewed 2 years ago] and how it plugs up with the i3's electric drivetrain and suspension bits. The i3 will be the world's first volume-produced vehicle with a passenger cell made from carbon fiber. This weight saving technology and process should begin to flow down to mainstream models as a key construction component in the coming years - beginning with the next 7 Series (due in 2015-16), as confirmed by BMW R&D chief Klaus Draeger. DRIVETRAIN: With its fully electric powertrain, the i3 will be BMW's first mass produced zero emissions car. It will be powered by a newly developed powertrain consisting of a 134 horsepower electric motor running on lithium-ion batteries and driving the rear axle. BMW is aiming to achieve a 160 km (100 mi) range, the same expected for the BMW ActiveE, but in order to reduce weight with a battery capacity of 16 kWh instead of the ActiveE's 30 kWh. A range extended version that functions similarly to the Chevrolet Volt is also being considered by BMW. The prototype presented at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show has a 22 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that is expected to deliver between 130 to 160 km (80 to 100 miles) and the battery will take about four hours to fully charge from the 240-volt charging unit. The i3 is expected to go from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 60 mph) in less than 8 seconds and 0 to 60 km/h in less than 4 seconds. The top speed will be limited to 150 km/h (93 mph) [See the i3 Concept Full Specs]. Pricing for the i3 has been speculated to start in the 35000-40000 euros range. |
09-28-2012, 10:12 AM | #3 |
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So when do we get a CFRP body M3?
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09-28-2012, 11:00 AM | #4 |
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I understand the revolutionary innovations and all, but where are the key BMW design elements? Why are there no L-shaped lights in the rear? Why are there no angel-eyes/corona lights? Where is the hofmeister kink? The list goes on and on. This looks like a toyota concept... The i8 is nice though
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09-28-2012, 12:34 PM | #5 |
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^ this is just a concept, I'm sure the real deal will be much more BMW-Like...
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09-29-2012, 10:45 AM | #10 | |
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09-29-2012, 10:46 AM | #11 |
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Would be neat if you could go Jeep-style and take off the doors LOL!
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09-29-2012, 04:57 PM | #12 |
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I know BMW has great engineers and all... but that chassis looks like they took typical automotive sheet-metal construction and just replaced the sheet-metal with carbon... fairly unimpressed. I guess the automotive industry is so dominated by manufacturing process.
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09-30-2012, 02:27 PM | #13 | |
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BMW i is a sub brand of BMW and are not limited by constraints of power , technology and design as other core BMW models. Every BMW i model is conceived to be entirely individual in everyway possible this is not a current BMW product electrified. This is about utilising creativity in a new direction and revolutionising a tried and tested concept for a sustainable era. With the i8 and i3 customers will not get a choice between a regular production car with either petrol or diesel or an electrified version as an additional model , something our competitors have done. The i8 and i3 are conceived to be individual in everyway and not be identified as a regular BMW but bring that BMW driving experience , BMW values and that creativity to something new. The i8 even in its current development phase is absolutely mind blowing, its fast powerful and extremely light and absolutely striking in its sharp high tech suit. The i8 Spyder is the definite approch to how the production car will look. But with the i8 it is easily possible to forget about the i3 but again that is proving to be a very nimble car and nothing short of revolutionary, and now we are testing REX (Range-Extended models) models that aim to combine more appeal into the car's everyday usability.
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The M850i is evidence that BMW have got their mojo back when it comes to dynamic sports cars...
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09-30-2012, 03:05 PM | #14 |
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it's clear that BMW decided to give an independent visual form to a line of cars, that were engineered as true electrical vehicles of the "future"; the rest of the industry practically just extended their hybrid cars (or better said, stuffed the conventional hull with some batteries).
the problem is the i3; the micro car is just far to expensive. No fuel savings will return the investment and as an used vehicle it's going to be outdated in 6 years time. It would be better if BMW concentrated on enthusiast market and beside the i8 offered an i5 (van, touring form). Expensive, bigger cars for selected clientele; cars that scream "money". |
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10-01-2012, 10:34 PM | #15 |
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Very, very true. I never thought about it that way...
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