Worldwide debut of the all-new BMW i3

The BMW Group debuted the series version of its innovative electric vehicle, the BMW i3, simultaneously in New York, London and Beijing.

"Innovation drives change. The i3 is more than just a car. It's a revolutionary step towards sustainable mobility.
It is purpose-built around an electric power train to serve the needs of our megacity customers," said Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Norbert Reithofer, at the world premiere in New York.

The BMW i3 - the BMW Group's first pure electric series-produced model - has the same sporting genes as every BMW and is characterised by sheer driving pleasure. Sustainability is a priority throughout the entire BMW i3 value chain.

"The BMW i3 sets a new benchmark for sustainable mobility in all stages of development and production, as well as aftersales," said Friedrich Eichiner, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Finance, at the unveiling of the BMW i3 in Beijing.

Range of 130 to 160 kilometres generally quite sufficient
The vehicle achieves a range of 130 to 160 kilometres. The BMW Group's experience with test fleets of Mini E and BMW ActiveE cars has shown that a range of 130 to 160 km is quite sufficient for the vast majority of drivers. The average distance driven daily worldwide is no more than 64 km.

If desired, the BMW i3 is also available with a range-extender, which maintains the charge of the lithium-ion battery at a constant level enroute, as soon as it falls below a specified value. This is performed by a two-cylinder gasoline engine with 34 hp (25 kw), mounted adjacent to the electric motor above the rear axle. The range extender increases the car’s maximum range in day-to-day driving to around 300 kilometres.

BMW i3 sets a new benchmark in lightweight construction
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 nm, 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.

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