BMW i3 on Display at the Welt

New BMW i3 sightings are occurring practically on a daily basis now. The latest was captured by blogautomobile, a French car blog which captures pictures of a white i3 parked under an artfully designed small solar canopy in front of the BMW Welt in Munich.

The nearly-naked i3 has limited camouflage covering only the belt-line and rear hatch area. It's pretty clear the rear side window they are hiding will have the same stream-flow design the i3 concept coupe has but it is still unclear what the rear hatch will look like. That and the interior are the only things we haven't been able to get good pictures of to date.

One thing to note is the wheels on the car are the flush "aero" wheels we've seen on i3's during road tests. I assumed these wheels were for testing purposes only but I'm beginning to think they may be the standard 19" wheels. I'm sure they are perfect for reducing drag, but I'm not too sure many buyers will appreciate the plain look. I know I'll be going for the wheel upgrade package if these are indeed the standard wheels. :)

 

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i3 To Cost $34,500??

Autoblog posted a story today claiming the i3 will have a beginning price of $34,500! If true that would mean the effective price would be $27,000 in the US after the $7,500 federal tax credit and would most certainly propel the i3 into instant sales success immediately upon its launch. The article also claims the range extender option (REx) will cost about $2,000, which is exactly half of what has been speculated thus far.

However, don't write your deposit check yet. While I'll be as happy as anybody if BMW somehow manages to deliver this groundbreaking vehicle at such a low cost, I just don't believe it's true. BMW hasn't said much about pricing, but what they have said seems to indicate a higher price point, one in the mid $40,000 range. It would certainly be a coup if they can deliver on this, but I'm not holding my breath. The article is suspect to me in the first place because it claims the range extender to be used in the i3 was first used in the ActiveE. I have over 50,000 miles on my ActiveE. I wish somebody told me earlier it had a range extender, I cold have used it on more than  a few occasions!

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This is the New F15 BMW X5 Launch Film.

The New BMW X5 is almost here! Just a few more months here is another film to celebrate it's launch. Enjoy the Video!

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LED Headlights Won't be Standard

Want LED headlights on your i3? It looks like you'll have to pay for them. Close up images of recent i3's caught driving around on public streets confirm there are two different headlights used; one being typical Halogen and the other LED. Combine that with the recent (patent?) drawings posted online by autoevolution.com and it's clear the car will have two headlight options. 

The Halogen headlights that will likely be standard

The more expensive and energy efficient LED headlights that appear to be optional

 I'm not sure what this means for the taillights which look to be blade-lit LED's in all the spy photos I've examined. Perhaps only the LED headlights will be optional and the rest of the lighting will always be LED. I think many would have assumed the i3 would be all LED in all trim levels because of the emphasis BMW has put on efficiency. Using heat pumps, uniquely tall and skinny tires, CFRP and aluminum to reduce weight, etc it would seem like a shame to then have normal halogen headlights lighting the way. If this is the case, I'm sure it's a result of BMW trying to get the base MSRP as low as possible. Will that mean the stylish wheels we've seen recently will be optional also, as well an "EV necessities" like navigation with charging station locator? We don't have long to go now and the "Vorfreude" is certainly building. I'm looking forward to getting all this information finally out in the open so we can really get down to discussing what we like and what we don't. What do you think of the headlight topic? Post your comments below.

Both i3 concept cars(the original 5 door & the more recent coupe') had LED headlights

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i3 Pictures & Info Keep Coming

A nearly undisguised i3 with production wheels

I started this blog about 2 1/2 years ago and until recently I've had to scour the internet and reach out to contacts I have to get any morsel of i3 information I could. BMW had been exceptionally tight-lipped when it came to i3 information of any kind. In fact we are only a couple months from its official European launch and there is very little technical information available.

However as we approach the July 29th unveiling of the production we are now getting daily doses of 'spy' photographs, each one seemingly revealing more and more. The site gmotors.co.uk is responsible for grabbing the latest, and most revealing pictures posted here today. For the first time we see an i3 with production wheels driving on the roads. We did get a quick glimpse of these wheels (which I posted here back in April) when the car was apparently doing an advertising photo shoot. I really like these wheels but I don't know if they are the 19" standard wheels or the 20" wheels that will be optional. You can tell they are very flush with black painted inlets to give the appearance the spokes are thinner than the really are so there is minimum wind resistance, decreasing the drag they cause.

The second piece of interesting information I found today was from a blogger "Lisa The Car Addict" who was sitting in the BMW Welt just as a BMW "Product Genius" was walking by and talking about i3 & i8 Pricing. Here's what she had to say on her blog:


Hey Guys,
Right now I’m sitting inside the BMW Welt, killing time before my last final exam later and a “Product Genius” just walked by with a group of business men. Anddd, he also talked about the Prices .. 36000€ for the pure electric BMW i3 and 39000€ for BMW i3 with Range Extender. And 100000€ for the BMW i8. All base prices, of course.
So yes, the earlier “communicated” prices must be real
I also had a look at their recently installed quick charger for Electric Cars right in front of the BMW Welt at the Doppelkegel. Pictures of it later!
Enjoy your Day,
Lisa

A 36,000€ price for he i3 would be great, and much lower than most - including myself expect. For US pricing, most premium German manufacturers sell their cars for much less than they do in their home country, and it's usually "1 Dollar for 1 Euro" as opposed to adjusting for the Euro's higher value. So if Lisa's information is correct, the i3 could have a base MSRP in the US for $36,000! With the Federal Tax credit it could actually cost less than $30,000! I still have a hard time believing this will be the case and I'd hate to get everyone's hopes up only to be disappointed when a $42,000 MSRP is announced, but this is definitely intriguing news that I'll watch closely and report here as soon as any kind of pricing information becomes available.

Another mostly-revealed photo but this one has what hopefully are wheels used only for testing. If these are the standard wheels than I'm sure most people will opt to pay for the much nicer wheels in the above pictures. Perhaps that's BMW's plan to get you to spend another $1,500 or so for the upgrade! Offer hideous stock wheels so you have to buy the premium option ;)

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The i3 Cometh

 

It's official. The world premier of the production version of the BMW i3 will take place on July 29th. It's a little surprising since most people have speculated that would happen at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September but evidently BMW had different plans.

BMW posted a short video on YouTube that was primarily smiling people jumping for joy and urging us to learn the German word "Vorfreude", which basically means excited anticipation. Even though it wasn't really for my taste, it pretty much summed up how a lot of people feel about it. It's been over three years since BMW first announced the i3 as the "Megacity Car" and there has been a LOT of speculation and intrigue about the i3. This blog alone has had 45,000 pageviews and it's not a commercial site and I don't advertise or promote it, people just find it searching for i3 news. 

I think most people following the i3 have a pretty good idea how it will look already as there have been many spy photos and the recent ones have hardly had any camouflage. However it will still be great to see the final product polished up and on display. I don't know if we'll get any technical specifications at the premier, but with Frankfurt only two months away now, it won't be long before all the details are announced. Exciting times indeed!

The production i3 will be VERY similar to the i3 concept coupe. Just add the rear coach doors and make a few subtle changes and this is it!

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BMW i3 Interior Pictures Captured

Super-thin seats of the i3. They'll save weight but will they be comfortable and supportive?

There have been dozens of i3 spy photos captured over the past couple years since BMW has been field testing mule i3's in hot and cold weather climates. Until last week the cars have been camouflaged with a blue swirly cover that effectively disguises the body lines beneath it. However they have all been exterior pictures. Nobody has really been able to capture any interior pictures at all, until now.

An Autokarma follower happened upon a parked i3 on the streets of Leipzig, Germany which didn't have its interior completely covered so he snapped some shots with his cell phone. Although much of it was covered, the seats are completely visible and we get to see them for the first time. They are surprisingly thin, no doubt to save weight. The picture of the rear seats is kind of dark but what you can take from it is there will be plenty of rear leg room which is uncommon in a car of this size and much more than there is in a BMW 1 series like my ActiveE. In fact, I'd say it looks like there is at least as much room in the rear seating area than there is in a 3-Series. This would confirm what BMW NA electric vehicle program manager Jacob Harb said at last years LA Auto Show, that the i3 would have about as much interior passenger room as a 3-Series even though the exterior dimensions are much smaller.

The rear seats will have plenty of legroom

Now that BMW has pretty much shown the whole exterior and are leaving pre-production i3's on the streets of Germany it can't be long in my opinion before we get to see the whole car. I had previously assumed BMW would hold off to the Frankfurt Auto Show to reveal the production i3, but recent reports have claimed it will be much sooner than that and I'm beginning to believe that will be the case. All the better!

Practically uncovered i3's now roam the streets in Germany. BMW is still obscuring the funky look of the rear window though.

The video above is brief but you can see the interior a bit and even an armrest which people have asked about. It was shot by Joachim Kerscher in Sittenbach, Germany. He just happened to see the car drive by his house so he drove around looking for it and found it parked here. 

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F32 BMW 4 Series Canadian Pricing Guide

The 4 Series initially launched as a “4 Series Concept”, a dramatic rendition of what was to come. The world’s press was overwhelmingly positive, with extremely favorable comparisons to our competitive set. June 14 marked the official unveiling of the production version 4 Series Coupé and the world’s top automotive authorities have continued to praise the vehicle. Road & Track recently published an article stating: “The best-looking BMW this side of the Z4 in nearly 10 years.” (Download the Canadian BMW 4 Series Coupe Pricing Guide inside)

Dimensional Improvements:

The new 4 Series has undergone significant structural changes from the outgoing 3 Series Coupé. The new vehicle grows in length by 26mm, adding additional space in the front and rear seats. The rear track grows by an impressive 80mm, and 45mm in the front, not only creating an extremely athletic stance, but also adding to the +60% gain in torsional rigidity vs. the outgoing model! Vehicle height has been reduced by 16mm giving the new 4 Series the lowest centre of gravity of any current BMW model! All of these gains and the car actually weighs nearly 100lbs (45kg) less (varies based on model/engine) and maintains a near-perfect 50:50 weight distribution. 

M Performance Package II

In-line with the 3 Series sedan offering, the
4 Series will offer the full M Performance
Exhaust in combination with the M
Performance Power Kit:

– +26hp
– +32 lb-ft torque
– 50–120km sprint reduced 0.5 sec 

BMW INDIVIDUAL

For 2014, four premium BMW INDIVIDUAL exterior paints will be offered on 428i & 435i models at
only $1,450 (+$650 vs. Metallic). These rich exterior paints provide an ultra-luxurious finish to the 4
Series. 

Pyrit Brown Metallic (X13)
Citrine Black Metallic (X02) 
Moonstone Metallic (X04)
Tanzanite Metallic (X10)


428 Coupé Model Overview:

MSRP 428i: $44,900
MSRP 428i xDrive: $49,100

The 428i and 428i xDrive now come standard with Sport Line trim, which includes:

• Dakota Leather upholstery.
• Sport seats.
• 18” Light-alloy wheels.
• Anthracite Roofliner.
• High-gloss Shadowline.

(no other Lines are available on this
model).

The 428i (RWD) comes standard with a
6-speed manual transmission; optional
Sport Automatic for $1,600. The 428i
xDrive comes standard with Sport
Automatic Transmission (previous 6-sp
manual on the 328xi Coupe no longer
available on the 428xi in the US or
Canada).

428i Coupe with Sport Line, Mineral Grey Metallic

Significant enhancements to the
Premium Package include the addition
of key feature content:

• Navigation Professional (609).
• Rear-view Camera (3AG).
• Satellite Radio Tuner (655).

The 428 offers a new high value package that
has been heavily discounted to ensure all
models look as visually striking as possible:

“Performance Wheel Package” - $500:

• 19” Light-alloy wheels style 407
• High-speed set-up with performance tires.
• M Sport Suspension (RWD only)

19” Wheels Style 407

Please see product ordering guide for complete packages and options.

435 Coupé Model Overview:  
MSRP 435i: $54,900
MSRP 435i xDrive: $55,600

The 435 models offer tremendous value vs. the outgoing 335 Coupé. Both the 435i and 435i xDrive come standard with Sport Automatic Transmission including Launch Control; 6-speed manual available as a no-charge option on both.

Continuing to differentiate our “35i” model range as the performance Halo within the line-up, the M Sport Package has been added to the standard equipment on the 435i and 435i xDrive (no other Lines are available). The M Sport Line includes:

• Addition of 19” M Alloy Wheels as standard.
• Sport Seats.
• M Aerodynamic Package.
• Anthracite roofliner.
• High-gloss Shadowline.
• M Sport Suspension (RWD).
• Front fog lights.
• “M” badge above Air Breather side vent.

435i with M Sport Line, Estoril Blue Metallic.

The 435 will offer the recently launched M Performance Package, featuring 3 high-value performance upgrades for only $1,500; they include:

• M Sport Brakes – painted blue calipers feature larger rotors, fixed 4-piston front calipers (from 2) on the front, and fixed 2-piston on the rear.
• Adaptive M Suspension - adds electronically variable-damping shocks to the functions controlled by the Driving Experience Control for increased agility.
• Variable Sport Steering – by reducing the steering angles by 25%, this feature adds more precision to steering inputs while improving steering feel. Automotive journalists are unanimous; Variable Sport Steering is a valuable improvement to handling and cornering.

19” M wheel style 442M with M Sport Brakes

Please see product ordering guide for complete packages and options. 

Download the Canadian F32 BMW 4 Series Coupe Pricing Guide here.

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F32 2014 BMW 435i Coupe M Sport

Bimmertoday spotted the North American Version of the 2014 BMW 435i Coupe with M Sports package, tell tale signs that this is the North American version is the side markers and fog light delete for the M Sport package. Check out the full gallery from all angles after the jump.

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BMW i3 REx: A Hobbled Horse or a Galloping Thoroughbred?

The BMW i3 range extender engine which is made by Taiwanese manufacturer Kymco for BMW.

There is still a lot of unknown information about the i3. BMW has been extremely conservative about what information they offer. While they have stated it will have an electric range of 80 to 100 miles and cost about the same as a nicely equipped 3-Series, the two biggest questions still remain: What will the EPA range rating be and exactly what will it cost? However right behind those two questions for many people is: What will the performance be when the range extender is in use?

The range extender engine will be a 650cc Kymco engine borrowed from the BMW C650 GT scooter. It will be highly optimized to lower noise & vibration and will only put out 35hp, compared to its 65hp when used for the scooter. The gas tank will be a miniscule 2.8 gallons and BMW has stated it will extend the range of the car about another 90 miles, effectively doubling the cars range. However many journalists are wondering will that added 90 miles be an ultimate driving experience or the ultimate disappointment?

The REx will fit nicely next to the e-motor

The Chevy Volt is the closest vehicle to compare the REX i3 to, even though it's not exactly an apples to apples comparison. The Volt has a 1.4 liter gas engine that puts out 80hp to power the generator, more than double the output of the i3's gas range extender engine. However the Volt weighs 1,000lbs more than the i3 will and isn't nearly as efficient so it would naturally need a larger, more powerful range extender engine. The Volt's robust range extender allows it to drive uninhibited while the range extender is maintaining the car's charge. The million dollar question is will the same be said about the i3? That answer looks like it will be no, it won't. BMW's Product and Technology Communications spokesman, Dave Buchko said of the range extender: "The i3 range extender is meant to enable the car to go a little further than the pure BEV on those rare occasions when driver needs to go a little further. It is not intended for daily use. We've said that the REx [range extender] will double the effective range of 80-100 miles. I have not seen anything to suggest that it would not be capable of doing so.". Then BMW North American CEO Ludwig Willisch said while the range extender is running: "The car will not be as agile," Willisch said. "It will not have full power when it runs on the combination."

I'm not exactly sure what "not intended for daily use" means though. That sounds like you'll break if you use it every day and that's obviously not going to be the case. Will the cars performance be so inhibited while in REx mode you wouldn't want to drive it that way every day? I find it difficult to believe BMW would add the range extender if it was so weak it offered terrible performance while in use. Willisch must have confidence it will perform admirably in REx mode though because he predicted at least 80% of US i3 buyers will order it with the range extender. I've also heard it described by some as a "limp home mode" by some(not BMW people) and I also don't believe that is accurate either.

An i3 with the range extender was caught at a gas station refueling in this spy photo. The gas filler door will be located on the front passenger quarter panel and the charge port will be on the rear passenger side quarter panel, just above the wheel.

A big determination of how it will perform in range extender mode is how much of the battery the car holds as a buffer when the range extender turns on. Lets say the i3 normally only uses 90% of its 22kWh capacity. That means the all electric i3 will utilize about 19.8kWh's. If the REx i3 holds another 10% as a buffer to help with short bursts of needed energy than the range extender will turn on after using only 17.6kWh's of the 22kWh pack. This will allow the car to perform better when in REx mode but it will also mean the car will drive about 10 miles less on electricity. The larger the buffer the better the REx performance but the shorter all electric range. I hope BMW allows you to turn off the REx for those times when you could make your destination on pure electricity if you only need a few miles after the REx would have turned on. That way you could utilize the full ~19.8kWh that a BEV i3 has available, without reserving the buffer needed for the REx since you don't intend to need it. Of course the percentages of the battery pack utilization I'm using here are just guesses on my part, but I expect them to be pretty close to reality.

My guess is it will be pretty much in between the hobbled horse and "ultimate driving EV" when the range extender is in use. I think it will drive fine on flat terrain, and can probably even drive along at 70mph in those circumstances. However introduce an extended incline or times when you need to go 75 or more to keep up with traffic and the car could quickly find itself gasping for enough energy to maintain its motion. It definitely won't be a "It'll get you home but you'll have to crawl along at 30mph" but lets just say you'd lose if you try to autocross in REx mode. Then again, if BMW does reserve a fair amount of the battery back as a buffer, it could perform very well for the first 20 miles or so, before the stored energy gets to a minimum and the REx is working at maximum output to sustain the charge level.

The bottom line is if you really just want the security of knowing you'll never have to call a tow truck to get home, then the REx will be worth its weight in gold for you. I've been there on the side of the road a couple times in the past four years falling short of my destination so I know it will be a valuable asset for those circumstances. However if you plan to use the range extender to drive hundreds of highway miles to make a far off destination, then I'm guessing this isn't the right EV for you. Horses for courses. Hopefully, we'll get the answers to these questions and all the technical specifications of the i3 soon. It launches in Europe in the fall so the wait is nearly over.

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The F31 3 Series Touring and The MINI Clubvan (Gallery)

Generally speaking Tourings, Station Wagons, Sports Wagons, Shooting Brake, The Advants sort of cars is much better received in Europe then here in North America. Why aren't Touring's more popular here anyways? The trunk opening is almost just as large as an SUV, it has just about or more cargo capacity, Touring's has sedan like sportier handling and because it is smaller and lighter it may even save you a bit more fuel. Here we are the new F31 BMW 328i xDrive Touring shown here with the M Sport package gives this car even more show for the go! Powered by the N20 2.0L Inline 4 Twin Power Turbo pushing 241hp with 258lb/ft of torque! Let's not forget the new MINI Clubvan all new for 2014, based on the MINI Clubman... all bespoke interior from behind the front seats onwards, designed for small business to haul things around. The MINI Clubvan is powered by the MINI Cooper's 1.6L 4 Cylinder with 121hp and 114lb/ft of torque. Check out the photo shoot after the jump. 

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