09-13-2013, 10:24 AM | #1 |
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BMW DTM Drivers Visit Leipzig Plant – Maiden Outing in BMW i8 Sports Car
BIMMERPOST NEWS BMW DTM drivers visit Leipzig Plant – Maiden outing in BMW i8 sports car BMW DTM drivers visit BMW Plant Leipzig – Maiden outing in BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car. September 13, 2013 Oschersleben (DE), 13th September 2013. The BMW DTM drivers stopped in at BMW Plant Leipzig (DE) on their way to the eighth race of the DTM season in Oschersleben (DE). Bruno Spengler (CA), Dirk Werner (DE), Augusto Farfus (BR), Joey Hand (US), Martin Tomczyk (DE), Andy Priaulx (GB), Marco Wittmann (DE) and Timo Glock (DE) started their visit with an autograph session. Hundreds of BMW employees took the opportunity to meet and have their photo taken with the drivers. The next highlight was a guided tour of the production facility for the BMW cars of tomorrow, the BMW i3 and the BMW i8. BMW i is all about visionary mobility concepts and a new interpretation of premium characteristics, with a strong focus on sustainability. The all-electric driven BMW i3 and plug-in hybrid sports car BMW i8 are built on the new assembly line in Leipzig. “It was really fascinating to get an insight into the technology of the future,” said Farfus. “BMW is setting new benchmarks with these visionary cars. Sooner or later, this technology will undoubtedly make its way into motorsport.” A very special surprise awaited Farfus and his fellow DTM drivers at the end of what was a hugely successful day. They were taken to the plant’s own test site, where they were allowed to climb behind the wheel of a BMW i8 and take it for a spin. Thanks to the perfect synchronisation of electric and combustion engines, this is the first thoroughbred sports car with the same consumption and emission values as a compact car. The DTM stars were fascinated by the car’s unique driving qualities. “It was exciting and interesting to drive this car. I was very impressed by the performance and acceleration,” said Glock after his test drive. “The electric and combustion engines work together perfectly. The technology used in the BMW i models is certainly ahead of its time. BMW has once again emphatically demonstrated its innovative prowess.” This weekend, the eight BMW DTM drivers will be back on the racetrack in their BMW M3 DTMs at the “Motorsport Arena” in Oschersleben, about 150 kilometres from Leipzig. As the race for the titles in the Drivers’, Team and Manufacturers’ Championships reaches its climax, BMW Motorsport is looking for a repeat of last year’s success, when Spengler won the race in the Magdeburger Börde region of Germany. |
09-13-2013, 12:13 PM | #3 |
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Very cool!
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09-13-2013, 03:52 PM | #5 |
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Very cool! Yes a big BMW fam.
Note to self... need to go visit Leipzig soon!
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09-14-2013, 12:23 AM | #7 |
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Why is BMW making an electric car to compete with the Nissan Leaf when the Tesla is hurting their 7 series line? BMW is about Ulimate Drivng Experience and a Leaf killer is not the answer. BMW needs an electric 7 series to put tesla in their place and if you can afford a tesla you can afford an electric 7
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09-14-2013, 02:42 AM | #8 | |
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I had to correct many journalists in regards to that fact. The i3 is a purely urban concept , but i3 is purely going to be the game changer for conventional manufacturers. The highlight of IAA press day ? Watching the faces of the senior executives of our direct competitors investigating the i3 and i8. In regards to the 7er? We sell the 7er globally , Tesla sells against the 7er only in the USA. When the BMW i5 comes on stream then we can see how BMWi will compete directly with Tesla . That is when it gets interesting...
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Last edited by SCOTT26; 09-14-2013 at 02:48 AM.. |
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09-14-2013, 08:29 AM | #9 | |
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Interesting that not only people here on the forum but journalists also make this bizarre comparison. Makes no sense to me. Considering what BMW i is doing, I am certain the i5 will look and perform as it needs to in order to put Tesla Model S in its place. And there is no design comparison of BMW i design language to that of Tesla (which I often mistake for Hyundai or Kia, and there are a ton of these Model S everywhere in my area already). |
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09-14-2013, 09:40 AM | #10 | |
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The i3 will be competing with cars like the Nissan Leaf and not sure how it fits in being the "Ultimate Driving Experience". The i3 with poor range, lack luster performance, smart car like appearance with an expensive price and higher maintenance costs might sell fairly well in the beginning with all the citizen tax payer incentives to a demographic group such as the feel good city slickers high on Apple products, but I suspect it will lose its appeal and sales will fall flat like the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt. There are $12k in incentives for Nissan Leafs here in the U.S. and they are still having dificulties selling them. BMW should focus on a 400hp 325mile range electric 7 series and work down to the 1 series if they were truly serious about penetrating the electric market and living their values - "Ultimate Driving Experience". The i3 would do much better in their Mini Cooper division. P.s. Tesla is branching out to Europe so ... Last edited by Gastoys; 09-14-2013 at 10:12 AM.. |
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09-16-2013, 07:22 AM | #11 | |
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I did a blog post on this topic last week and it was picked up and re-posted by the EV site InsideEVs.com. I asked what should the i3 really be compared to. Here's the link if anyone is interested: i3 comparison story
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