BMW had announced its new i sub-brand back in 2010, intended to provide electrically powered production cars to the market. One of the first markets to get the new BMW sub-brand will be the Middle East, where two models are planned to be launched in 2014. The BMW i8, which was initially known as BMW Concept Vision Efficient Dynamics will be introduced. The concept version was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, while the pre-production BMW i8 was showcased at the 2011 Frankfort Motor Show.
The BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid vehicle, which features a 7.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack delivering an all-electric range of 35 km. The second car under the project-i is the BMW i3, which is expected to be revealed this month in a production version avatar. Both i8 and i3 are based on an advanced construction concept known as LifeDrive architecture. The cars are sculpted with the use of aluminium and high-strength lightweight carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP).
The BMW i cars are designed in such a futuristic language that they give a sense of dynamism and driving pleasure. The interiors on the i cars are driver centric, uncluttered and airy, which gives a sense of space. The electric vehicles will feature three driving modes – Comfort, Eco Pro and Eco Pro+. The manufacturing of BMW i3 and i8 will take place at BMW’s Leipzig plant. The official launch of BMW i production cars will take place at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show in September and the world premiere will take place on the 29th of July. We can expect the i3 to be launched in India next year.
Source – Automan
