[Transfer]

This thing looks great. For people who are into these types of cars I think the i3 could be a big success. There is nothing like it out there.

[lux]

Wow this car might have great technology but it looks butt ugly. I applaud BMW for taking chances but the exterior styling is more Honda Element than Telsa S. While I appreciate the simplistic interior, sticking a large gear selecting unit to the right of the steering column looks out of place. The floating central display screen looks like an aftermarket solution. BMW thinks their competition is the Prius when in reality their own lineup of diesel cars provide a more luxurious and eco-friendly alternative.

[Touring]

talked to my dealer. it will be cheaper than a Nissan leaf here. Nissan leaf is the second best selling car in Oslo. maybe i3 will be number one! I will probably get mine around 16 me November. can't wait!

[flyga3]

Should give the Chevy Volt a run for the money (only $2K more).
Agreed its for some people but not for petrol-heads like myself.

I like that the "beer tap" controller is gone and NAV included.
Everyone was dogging the new Merc S steering wheel but this has one too; here comes 2-spokes!

BMWAG: how about free NAV for every model? :-)

[BimmerMat135]

Originally Posted by 3s-a-charm

+20% or so I would guess.

I read 44950$ as base price for Canada.

[hellrotm]

They should put a bigger gas tank in for the range extender option.

It would make this thing actually usable as someone's only car.

Honestly the range is terrible. Not a big leap or any leap forward from whats out there.

[Pentium]

I think the i8 will be something big, by the way anybody watched the last episode of TopGear? they drove the SLS Black Series VS the Electric....

Here is a small part:

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by Smooth 330i

I bet they will lose $$ on every single one of them. It would be interesting to find out what is the breakeven point (how many they will need to sell to recover invested funds)?

Most likely this info will never be released.

If sales are not up to par. BMW will some how paint a rosy picture.

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Powaup

Highly doubt it will be less than 90K but it would be nice

Didn't BMW themselves say it would be at least $125k?

I seem to remember reading that...perhaps that was just speculation...

[mapezzul]

Originally Posted by BlackJetE90

Most likely this info will never be released.

If sales are not up to par. BMW will some how paint a rosy picture.

It will break even on many levels- they already have CF technology others are paying royalties for (Boeing) the next generation cars from BMW will use more CF (7 Series in development is already there). The battery tech and electric drive technology will be used in hybrids and other models for years to come. Breaking even when you do things that are innovative pays off. Toyota has already said they want the CF tech. BMW is years ahead of the closest competitor and they will capitalize just as Tesla will when MB comes knocking (again).

Having lived here in Germany going on 3 years I will say that the Germans know how to make things work in more ways than one and even if the i3 fails it is a success because it had many purposes and will make BMW money.

[Muffnbluff]

Maybe a stupid question, but can the rear doors open independently of the front doors?

[Jason]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Didn't BMW themselves say it would be at least $125k?

I seem to remember reading that...perhaps that was just speculation...

Yes, it's already confirmed that the i8 will be more than 100k euros, so it also easily be over $100k USD.

See: http://bmwi.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=705472

[dmboone25]

Originally Posted by Jason

It's already confirmed that it will be more than 100k euros, so it also easily be over $100k USD.

See: http://bmwi.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=705472

You beat me to it.

[Pure]

Competitive prices

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by Muffnbluff

Maybe a stupid question, but can the rear doors open independently of the front doors?

I haven't seen them in action yet, but if you download the full image with the doors open, you can see that the release handle for the rear door is located in typical fashion for cars where the rear-opening suicide door serves as the B-pillar when closed. This type of door cannot be opened without first opening the front door, because there is nothing else for the front door to attach to.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by bradleyland

I haven't seen them in action yet, but if you download the full image with the doors open, you can see that the release handle for the rear door is located in typical fashion for cars where the rear-opening suicide door serves as the B-pillar when closed. This type of door cannot be opened without first opening the front door, because there is nothing else for the front door to attach to.

That's correct. Will post live photos later which shows the doors in more detail.

[BC87]

Fail. BMW needs to develop an entire lineup of these. Hopefully that will lower the fleet average mpg enough for us to get NA engines back in M cars. Likely not gonna happen though, sigh

[ska///235i]

This is too sexy for me
My wife will like it

[Powaup]

Originally Posted by dmboone25

Didn't BMW themselves say it would be at least $125k?

I seem to remember reading that...perhaps that was just speculation...

120K estimated base price according to car & driver
http://www.caranddriver.com/features...i8-future-cars

[kppanic]

Originally Posted by Muffnbluff

Keep in mind this price is before $7,500 tax credits, so in reality the starting price is more like $34,000. I'm interested to see how much more the other trim levels are over the entry level. Also can't get a great sense for legroom in pics because of varying front seat positions in the pictures. Not having a B pillar may be a nice feature for people with infants/toddlers.

but would the tax credit also apply to the range extender trim? since its got the petrol as well... Or does that tax credit also apply to EV as well as hybrids?

[poggy]

Originally Posted by Mr.Marvelous

I like the car, but I can't find anything special about it.

The electric cars Ford build like the electric Focus offer the same range.

It's made of carbon fiber and aluminium and still weighs 2700lbs?! come on...

The interior doesn't look as big as a 3 series.

And it costs the same as a gorgeous looking 428i coupe...


It's a nice EV, but it's not something BMW should build.

I can't predict how it will perform saleswise, but I'm inclined to think that this i venture of BMW is going to fail.

Not the same price as a 428i over here - about the same price as a 316i sport.

[SCOTT26]

I am in London for the European stage of the BMW i3 premiere. and the response has been astounding, some try to spoil the mood by asking about the M4 and M3 for that you have to wait till next month for the M4 Concept and Tokyo in December for the M3.

Reading some of the comments here and I just had to put some people right.


For every i3 BMW sells it will be profitable.

The i3 is accessed like the MINI Clubman you open the front door and then operate the handle to open the rear door.

The investment for BMWi is not only lucrative for BMW , but other industries as well who are very much interested in buying CFRP for other forms of sustainability such as shipbuilding , architecture and aeronautics.
Our partner Toyota is also interested in purchasing CFRP from BMW.

The genius of BMW is why the next generation of BMW , MINI and Rolls-Royce models will benefit. It all begins with the next 7er family.

Today BMW has effectively left its competitors behind in advancing the automobile , how its engineered , manufactured , designed and driven.
The i3 is completely thinking out the box , unconventional but wholly intelligent.

Our competitors now have to wait to see how the car performs on the market and then rush to get their alternative out as an electrified B-Klasse , A3 and Golf are not going to cut it against the i3.
The BMW is as it states Born Electric. It showcases an individual concept to electric mobility and that is its appeal.

The BMW i3 is only the beginning and approaching will be the progressive sports car the BMW i8 and we can't wait to tell you about that car!
Of course other models for other segments will also feature under the BMWi brand.

I am willing to bet that in a few years time BMWi will be as synonymous as alternative drivetrains as is BMW M with performance.

* amateur render of what a BMWi Sports Sedan could look like using the BMWi design language.