BMW i3

Heritage

BMW i isn't just about cars, it's about innovation. It's about inspiring design, mobility services and taking on an entirely new understanding of driving. After 40 years of extensive research, including learnings from the MINI E and BMW ActiveE, BMW is making its official shift into the realm of electric mobility with the release of the all-electric BMW i3.

With sustainability at the very forefront, BMW i aims to take driving to a whole new dimension where tail-pipe emission-free vehicles are a standard way of life. A brand-new world that is defined by renewable resources and innovative means of production that have the least possible impact on the environment.

Design Philosophy

The design philosophy of BMW i is simple: create beautifully efficient, high-performance cars through sustainable materials and processes.

The BMW i3 and BMW i8 Concept maintain a clean, modern, dynamic, yet futuristic look that is characterized by smooth surfaces and precise edges. This creates a seamless look, as if the car itself was cast out of one singular mold.

Aerodynamics play an important role in the design of BMW i vehicles. Fully concealed underbodies help prevent wind turbulence under the car, while aero-flaps improve the flow of air through the wheel arches and side sills behind the front wheels. By reducing wind resistance, the vehicles become even more energy efficient.

Carbon Fiber

A car that's lightweight can go further. Keeping this in mind, BMW chose to use Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) as the foundation for BMW i3, a material which is as strong as steel, but about half the weight. This allows BMW to set new standards in both lightweight vehicle construction and safety.

The upcoming BMW i3 and BMW i8 Concept vehicles will mark the first mass produced cars to use CFRP. In fact, this material is currently being produced in Moses Lake, Washington at an ultra-modern plant that is completely powered by renewable, hydroelectric power.

Lifedrive Architecture

BMW LifeDrive is the first architectural concept that was purpose-built for electric vehicles. Comprised of two separate units, the Life Module and the Drive Module form the framework for BMW i vehicles.

The Life Module is a high-strength and lightweight passenger compartment made from Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP). This, along with the aluminum chassis of the Drive Module, offset the additional weight of the batteries of an electric car.

The Drive Module is an aluminum chassis that forms a solid foundation and protects the battery. The lithium-ion battery cells are stored underneath the passenger compartment of the car. This gives the vehicle optimum, 50:50 weight distribution and a low center of gravity. By housing all of the key driving components in this lower module, there is no tunnel running through the center of the car. This creates an especially roomy interior for passengers to enjoy.

eDrive & Efficient Dynamics

BMW's eDrive technology originates from many years of EfficientDynamics development and research. EfficientDynamics helps deliver vehicle technology that increases consumption efficiency. This lowers overall emissions while increasing performance and exhilaration.

As an extension to EfficentDynamics, the eDrive system features an all-electric motor that provides incredible torque and exhilaration from a standstill. It also combines innovative lithium-ion battery technology with a heating/cooling system for intelligent energy management. This helps keep the battery at an ideal operating temperature for maximum efficiency and overall performance.

Worlds

The interior of the BMW i3 is characterized by the visible use of natural resources. In fact, each of the BMW iWorlds (Mega, Giga, or Tera) features a variety of sustainable materials and trim choices.

The BMW i3 is available with a series of package options. Ranging from the Mega World to the Giga World to the Tera World, each of which has its own unique characteristics and offerings in wheels, renewable interior materials and sustainable trims.




Giga World Package
- 19-inch forged aluminum wheels.
- Gray leather steering wheel with silver accents around the rim.
- Active-climate wool and extremely soft, olive leaf naturally tanned leather line the interior seat materials.
- The instrument panel is covered with leather combined with sustainable elements, such as open-pore eucalyptus wood from certified sustainable forestry.


Tera World Package
- 19-inch forged aluminum wheels.
- Black leather steering wheel with silver accents for added sophistication.
- Extremely soft, olive leaf naturally tanned leather with handcrafted stitching lines the interior of vehicle.
- The instrument panel and surrounding cabin elements are covered by leather combined with sustainable elements, such as open-pore eucalyptus wood from certified sustainable forestry.

Dynamic Exterior

The smooth, streamlined shape of the BMW i3 is driven by efficiency and aerodynamics. The stream flow design brings more light into the interior for a brighter, more airy space. The silhouette of the vehicle merges the window surfaces throughout the car to provide great visibility in nearly any driving situation.

The opposing coach doors give access to the large, open space of the interior, while the characteristic "black band" runs from the hood over the roof to the trunk of the vehicle to denote a feeling of lightness. Large 19-inch forged aluminum wheels coupled with the aerodynamic, lightweight design of the i3 help reduce rolling resistance and ensure the highest possible efficiency.

The stylishly molded, iconic kidney grille carries the modernized brand elements of BMW i with its blue accents and serves as one of the most prominent exterior features. Since no cooling air needs to run through it, the grille is fully closed.
The eye-catching LED headlights with their backlit U-shape lines immediately draw attention to the sculptured front-end of the vehicle with defined edges that underscore its stability and powerful stance.

Spacious Interior

By locating the battery in the floor of the Drive Module, no center tunnel divides the interior. This creates an open and airy feel for both the driver and passengers.

And for the driver, the i3 features a unique, freestanding steering column that contains all essential operational elements directly on and around the steering wheel. The simplistic design of the instrument panel creates a clean look within the cabin, allowing for the beautifully crafted interior to shine.

Pure BMW Performance

Adrenaline rushes just as fast in kilowatts. The all-electric motor of the BMW i3 boasts 170 hp and a maximum torque of 184 lb-ft. The full torque is available from a standstill giving this EV the high-performance feel inherent in every BMW.

Accelerating from 0-60 in approximately 7 seconds, the i3 maneuvers with impressive agility in just about every situation. The vehicle's extraordinarily small turning circle of 32.3 feet and precise steering setup (2.5 turns from lock to lock) further enhance the agile handling of the i3. Equally impressive is its silent driving experience. Efficiency has never sounded better.

Three energy modes (COMFORT, ECO PRO, and ECO PRO+) accommodate any driving style. The COMFORT mode is the standard setting, providing the standard range of 80 to 100 miles before needing to charge. In ECO PRO mode, the range increases up to approximately 12% by regenerating any energy regained through braking.

Finally, ECO PRO+ mode maximizes range about 12% more by limiting the top speed and switching comfort settings, like heating or air conditioning, to an energy-saving mode. When comparing ECO PRO+ mode to the COMFORT mode, the range potential is increased up to approximately 24%.

Intelligent Charging

The lithium-ion high-voltage battery goes up to 100 miles in range on a single charge. Its uniquely intelligent battery heating/cooling system ensures that the range of the BMW i3 is less affected by temperature fluctuations than other electric vehicles (EVs).  This contributes to the overall life of the battery cells, allowing drivers to get the most out of their EV as possible. And with Brake Energy Recuperation, every time the driver lets off the accelerator, kinetic energy is converted into electricity to extend the battery's charge.  BMW i offers an elegantly designed home charging solution that gives drivers an easy and safe way to charge an EV. Using this home charging system, the BMW i3 can be fully charged in approximately 3 hours. The standard charging cable is designed to have your battery topped off by simply plugging into a dedicated 120-volt outlet.

There will also be public charging stations available unique to the BMW i3 to provide quick, convenient charging opportunities. The SAE DC Combo fast charger charges the i3 up to 80% full in 20 minutes and 100% in 30 minutes.

BMW i3 With Range Extender

The BMW i3 with Range Extender takes you further, allowing you to breathe a little easier on those longer road trips. This model, with a two-cylinder combustion engine, generates electricity that maintains the charge of the lithium-ion battery at a constant level as soon as it dips below a certain value.

The BMW i3 with Range Extender nearly doubles your electric driving range to eliminate range concerns.
Starting at $45,200*

*MSRP without destination and handling and before federal tax credit