The BMW i3 has been put on show at the ongoing 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. Here, we have compiled all the details of the much-discussed eco-friendly means of intracity transport from the famous Bavarian car maker.
The BMW i3 will be launched in USA, China, Japan and several other markets in the first half of 2014. The base price for the BMW i3 has been set at 34,950 Euros for German car market. If customers opt to purchase the Range Extender as an extra, the price in Germany will be 39,450 Euros.
BMW i products and services will be marketed through a multi-channel sales model, comprising authorised retail partners (BMW i agents), a multimedia Customer Interaction Centre (CIC) and an online sales platform. All sales channels will be fully integrated and customers will be able to choose their own individual customer journey. Customers can easily switch between all four channels.
BMW says that over a period of three years, the maintenance and running costs for a BMW i3 are about 40% lower than those of the BMW 320d diesel executive sedan.
Such has been the public interest in the BMW i3 that more than 90,000 people have already requested a test-drive of the BMW i3.
The BMW i3 features a large number of technological innovations – such as a carbon-fibre passenger cell and a chassis made of aluminium – and sets new standards in the field of lightweight construction. With a curb weight of 1,195 kilogrammes, it is lighter than most vehicles in the compact segment, yet offers significantly more space for up to four occupants.
Its low weight contributes to the agility and dynamic performance of the BMW i3. The car’s electric drive-train generates output of 125 kW/170 hp and peak torque of 250 Newton metres, which is immediately available from a standing start. The BMW i3 sprints from 0 to 60 km/h in 3.7 seconds and from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds. Its top speed is limited to 150 km/h for efficiency reasons.
It would be interesting to see if the new 2014 BMW i3 is potent enough to change the face of motoring. Stay tuned.
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