The people at Bavarian Motor Works have accomplished their mission of introducing a sustainable, electric vehicle into their product line. At the same time, the 2014 BMW i3 lives up to the automakers motto of the “Ultimate Driving Machine”.
The vehicle is based on the new “LifeDrive” architecture. This concept consists of 2 independent, horizontally divided modules.
Specifications
| Vehicle Type: Hybrid Hatch | Base Price: NA |
| EV Mode Range: 118 miles | MPGe for EV Mode: 81 miles avg |
| Length: 157.4 in. (399.9 cm) | Wheelbase: 101.2 in. (257 cm) |
| Height: 62.1 in. (157.8 cm) | Width: 69.9 in. (177.5 cm) |
| Curb Weight: 2634 lbs (1195 kg) | Maximum Seating: 5 |
| Motor: Electric | Battery: 18.8 kWh |
| Horsepower: 167 HP | Torque: 185 lb-ft |
| 0-62 mph: 7.2 seconds | Top Speed: 93 mph (150 km/h) |
The “Life” portion of this plan involves a lightweight, yet high strength passenger cell made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic.
The “Drive” section is a combination of the battery and drive system as well as the structural and crash functions.
Engine & Performance
Under the hood of the BMW i3 has a hybrid synchronous electric motor generating 170 horsepower. The motor is mated to a single speed automatic transmission.
For an electrical vehicle, this car is quick. It accelerates from 0-62 mph in 7.2 seconds with a top speed of 93 mph.
Exterior
The 2014 i3 is a standard 3 door hatchback. The rear doors swing towards the back of the car upon opening, versus the traditional frontward rotation. The front façade has dual, small kidney shaped grilles with the BMW logo centered above them. The LED headlamps are U-shaped.
Its profile is more squared than sweeping, with an interesting window alignment of 3 different styles. The rear window is large, affording great visibility to the backend, while the taillights match the U-shaped headlights up front. For aerodynamic purposes there is also a rear diffuser.
The “i3” will be offered in 3 trim lines of the basic “Mega World”, midpoint “Giga World” and top “Tera World”.
Interior
The first thing you may notice inside the 2014 BMW i3 is the missing center tunnel on the floor. The “LifeDrive” construction allows for a much roomier cabin. The driver controls are all ergonomically placed for easy access.
The free standing steering column includes the start/stop button and gear shift selector that resides there as well. The interior incorporates a layering technique and the dash is nicely appointed with a eucalyptus wood finish.
The driver’s seat is mounted higher than the passenger’s side for improved sight lines.
