BMW is now developing the i3, which is one of the car models now being made. This model will not be released until 2013. Part of the "Project i," the BMW i3 concept was first reported in 2011. The plan included the incorporation of the so-called range extender option.
The upcoming model was built based on the 'LifeDrive' concept, which means that the automobile will have sections made of entirely different materials. The 'Drive' section is made up mostly of light aluminum. This section makes up the bottom half of the entire vehicle. The life passenger compartment is made of CFRB or carbon-fiber reinforced plastic. You will find this section sitting atop the 'Drive' section.
The materials used guarantee the lighter weight of the whole car, which is said to just be 2750 pounds. The CFRB, for instance, has half the weight of steel. Another advantage of this material over steel is that it does not rust. The Life sections' shell is made up of CFRB, but the bodywork is made up of replaceable plastic panels. This section is attached to the 'Drive' framework with bolts and tough adhesives.
As you might have heard, the i3 model is powered by an electric motor. This motor was designed to give the card an optimum performance. More than that, it must be noted that the size of the motor is 40% smaller than the ones used in electric cars, better known as the Mini E cars. The i3 motor features a single-speed transmission of 170 hp, which can be found right above the rear axle. This rear-wheel drive auto keeps the front-rear weight balanced.
Underneath the passenger seat's floor compartment is the liquid-cooled Li-ion battery pack that powers the motor. The placement of the battery pack ensures that no intrusion in the cabin will occur and it also fixes the center of gravity of the automobile in a good location to guarantee stability. The storage capacity of the battery is unknown, but a full charge allows the vehicle to travel up to 140 miles.
The BMW i3 promises to reach a speed of 62 miles per hour in just 8 seconds. The top speed is expected to be around 93 miles per hour. This limitation is set to preserve battery life. The vehicle's battery charging time takes about 6 hours.
The i3 is a five-door hatchback model with suicide-style rear doors. The automobile is about 151.4 inches long and approximately 79.2 inches wide. It has two bench seats that can accommodate four passengers and has about 7 feet of cargo space.
The doors are made of transparent glass but have reinforcement bars. The roof is also made of glass armored with small bars. The whole design has been altered from the standard one to become environmental friendly.
People will have to wait until the latter part of 2013 to see the car, which is when it is expected to be released. The company has not shared too much information about their plans. There is already a price forecast; however, the exact price statement from BMW has not yet been released. At the same time, there may be changes to the i3 concept.
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