BMW i3 Concept Coupe Electric Car Debuts

[Fraggy]

If I can't say anything nice...

[Nang Vann]

Looks sweet as!

[Teeopi]

cute

[misterbeemer]

Just not liking it...weird, ugly design...so two screens and some "flowing" wood and plastic don't make it modern? :-/ A 2013 Chevy Spark EV will have two screens...

[Alpine F31]

Originally Posted by Fraggy

If I can't say anything nice...

+1

[blisstik]

I live in a loft and skateboard with my girlfriend. This is the car for me! /s

[Levi]

WTF? That is a joke, no?

How can one find this little thing cute? Even worse compare it to the M3 E30 or GT86? That is blasphemy.

You yet want Sport or Sport+ mode?


Guys, tell me what you drink/smoke? That must be some serious stuff. Or you you eat magic mushrooms?

[Harold Wood]

Great looking car and with IBM developing new batteries with a possible 500 mile range (lithium-air battery technology) and I am sure other companies have new battery systems coming

[Frosty]

I give up... how is this a coupe? The word Coupe officially means nothing in car language

[1230vani]

Love the interior, so smooth.

[BMW-RaceR]

Originally Posted by Levi

WTF? That is a joke, no?

Even worse compare it to the M3 E30 or GT86? That is blasphemy.

-Weight, probably much closer to E30 M3 than modern M cars. (rumors have earlier said 1250kg. Lower would just be more awesome)
-RWD (which is becoming more and more rare these days it seem)
-170hp / 184 lb-ft torque. Compared to M3/GT86, less HP but more torque. Both power and torque and available right away. Average power in those cars between 3000rpm to redline is probably lower than in the i3.
-Power to weight ratio is probably quite similar to those cars.
-Low center of gravity (a great selling point for the GT86)
-Probably great throttle response (Might be closer to E30 M3 throttle response than to modern turboed M-cars)
-Useable back-seats (better back seats than GT86. Probably same space as E30 M3)
-Skinny low grip eco tires. (same "philosophy" as GT86. But i3 probably have a higher/better power to grip ratio. Easier to break loose tires)
-Weight distribution is probably great like those cars.

Yeah. I know its absurd to compare a high-raised-city-electric-eco-vehicle without any track performance in mind to those sports-cars. But in many ways. The i3 coupe shares a lot of attributes with the E30 M3 and GT86.

Lets compare 1M coupe and i3 and see which is closer to E30 M3 in the following areas:

Built to be a light weight: i3 win
Weight: i3 win
Power: i3 win
Power to weight ratio: i3 win
Throttle response: i3 (assumed) win
Tire width: i3 win
Ability to be driven on the edge (of grip) on the streets: i3 win

This just shows how far away modern M cars have gone from the E30 M3.
Im not saying the i3 is a sports car, a performance car, or anything in that caliber.. Just saying that it has some good fundaments for a sports car. Some of which are quite close to E30 M3 and the highly praised GT86.

If the the i3 is driftable than I see a lot of potential.

[Auto]

When is this going on sale?

[red-sauerkraut]

Think about it.

A CVT tranny can be considered a 1 speed, if the shift-points are removed from the user.

Such as Park/eDrive/Reverse

Originally Posted by Remonster

Where did you see that? The press release says it has a single speed transmission.

[KSERGEI-BY]

Originally Posted by 1230vani

Love the interior, so smooth.

Bmw in the edge of innovations:


sux.

[1230vani]

Originally Posted by KSERGEI-BY

Bmw in the edge of innovations:


sux.

I see the comparison , all you had to do is put a 10 year old motorola in the middle like Citroen did....

New Citroen DS models (although doubtful in reliability) look actually good to me.

[KSERGEI-BY]

Originally Posted by 1230vani

I see the comparison , all you had to do is put a 10 year old motorola in the middle like Citroen did....

New Citroen DS models (although doubtful in reliability) look actually good to me.

DS may have same engine as 116, or its modification:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prince_engine

Now, guess the the maker of the N13 in 116s Im not saying its a Peugeuot plant, but who knows....

[misterbeemer]

Originally Posted by Levi

WTF? That is a joke, no?

How can one find this little thing cute? Even worse compare it to the M3 E30 or GT86? That is blasphemy.

You yet want Sport or Sport+ mode?


Guys, tell me what you drink/smoke? That must be some serious stuff. Or you you eat magic mushrooms?

+1. BMW will make the ugliest, most useless car and fans will find it cute. Reminds me of Apple iSheep...how is this thing cute or good looking? If a company wants to make an electric car, why can't they just make a normal looking car?

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by KSERGEI-BY

Bmw in the edge of innovations:


sux.

I'm sorry, but what elements of that interior are even remotely similar to this?

http://f20.1addicts.com/goodiesforyo...t_Coupe_11.jpg

[KSERGEI-BY]

Originally Posted by bradleyland

I'm sorry, but what elements of that interior are even remotely similar to this?

Concept of 2-spoke steering wheel at least.

[v1p3r]

Originally Posted by misterbeemer

+1. BMW will make the ugliest, most useless car and fans will find it cute. Reminds me of Apple iSheep...how is this thing cute or good looking? If a company wants to make an electric car, why can't they just make a normal looking car?

It's a city car. It is supposed to be small and compact, with usable space and city range. There will be more Project i cars with different looks and dimensions.

Open your mind and don't expect everything, especially a city EV, to look like a 3-Series.

[Malbolge]

i would so buy that, esp if govt have a credit schemes to encourage green driving. my country has a full electric network by now so this is just fking perfect! TOo bad all I can choose from is some dumb looking Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi Miev thingies. Bring on I3!

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Just as the BMW i8 Concept Spyder brought a more realistic production appearance to the i8 comes the more realistic production look of the BMW i3.

The i3 Coupe Concept not only previews the final exterior look of the car but 90% of the interior as well. Like the i8 and the other BMW i cars there will be a distinctive futuristic look in material finish and design for the interiors to combine with the modern exterior appearance.

The BMW i cars further express their lightweight intentions by extensive glass and minmalistic surfaces. underneath their CFRP bodies.
The BMW i3 comes as a five dr first with as a first for a BMW rear hinged doors. The safety of the i3 is testament to its CFRP bodyshell which does without its B-Pillar for added expression of light and a spatial feel.
Despite its lack of B-Pillar the i3 is structurally intact in order to perform well in an accident.

The final appearance of the i3 is expressive combining string lines and clean surfaces offering modern futuristic minimalsitic appearance.
For a car in amongst its competition the i3 in prototype form is proving to be not only very refined but also there is a fair amount of BMW-dynasm to keep the keen driver interested thanks to its very throwable lightweight body, despite being an electric car the i3 loves corners.

Scott, do you know the price range? 40-50k EUR in Germany, give or take?

[bradleyland]

Originally Posted by KSERGEI-BY

Concept of 2-spoke steering wheel at least.

Seriously? That's a pretty weak correlation considering all the other differences. I bet the Citroen has four wheels too. Copy cats!

EDIT: Pretty sure my dad's 2007 Econoline cargo van has a 2-spoke steering wheel as well (like this). Looks like Citroen are the copy cats now.