Tuesday, June 19, 2012

2014 BMW 3 Series GT (Render & Spyshots)

The 5 Series GT is based on the larger F01 BMW 7 Series and was intended for an active family looking for similar utility to an SUV but with the luxuries of a limousine, the response for the BMW 5 Series GT had been polarizing but there is certainly a niche market for this Luxury Crossover. Here we have our rendering of it's soon to be a more compact BMW 3 Series GT, from the spy shots (click read more to view) we can clearly see it is similar to the 5 series GT but smaller, this time with a retractable spoiler for a very sporty look. We took the liberty to create a rendering of how the rear end could look like for the 2014 BMW 3 Series GT.






Spy Shot Credit: Worldcarfans

In the BMW M6 you can hurry love.

Here we have the full video of the new F12/F13 BMW M6 Coupe and Cabriolet chasing down two speedboats, wonder why? Watch the video to find out.



You didn't have to click read more to view the video, but since you did here are some pictures you might like that you may have seen before.



Saturday, June 16, 2012

Mighty BMW Alpina B7 LCI / Facelifted

Press Release: Today, BMW announced updates to the second generation of the successful BMW ALPINA B7 super-high performance luxury sedan with more performance, fresh design features, and improved efficiency. The new B7 is slated for a North American debut at the historic Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August and will go on-sale immediately thereafter. Canadian Pricing will be posted when available. Click Read more for a full gallery and the rest of the press release.





The new BMW ALPINA B7 has been enhanced in-line with updates to the 2013 BMW 7 Series Sedans including more power, more performance, and more efficiency. The new B7 features 40 additional horsepower (now rated 540 hp) and 22 lb-ft more torque (up to 538 from 516 lb-ft) thanks to the addition of BMW’s Valvetronic throttle-less intake technology and a new ALPINA 8- speed high performance transmission. Top speed is now a fierce 194 mph (drag-limited, 193 mph with xDrive), up from the previous 175 mph. Acceleration drops into the low-mid-4-second range for all variants (4.3-4.4 seconds). The BMW ALPINA B7 Sedan remains the benchmark in terms of luxurious performance, chassis technology, and hand-finished exclusivity.

Each variant of the updated BMW ALPINA B7 (including Standard Wheelbase, Long Wheelbase, sDrive, and xDrive) will arrive with over 30 new parts which enhance the design and frontal aerodynamics to more effectively channel the cooling air required to manage the increased power output. New BMW kidney grilles, updated Xenon Adaptive headlights, LED front fog lights, and updated tail lights are also included. Other now-standard features will include ceramic secondary controls, engine Automatic Start-Stop, and the Active protection system. Optionally, the B7 Sedan will offer Full LED Headlights, Bang & Olufsen Surround Sound System, new exterior colors and interior upholstery choices in-line with the 7 Series update. Renewed BMW individual color and trim offerings complete the package. The appearance remains unmistakable on signature 21” ALPINA Classic 20-spoke wheels and stunning ALPINA Blue Metallic paint.

The BMW ALPINA B7 is available as a special order vehicle with capacity-limited production underscoring its exclusivity. The B7’s body is manufactured in the BMW 7 Series factory (Plant Dingolfing) and hand-finished with the remaining ALPINA components at the ALPINA factory in Buchloe, Germany. This production sequence increases the production schedule by approximately two weeks. European Delivery at the BMW Welt delivery center is available for the BMW ALPINA B7.






Thursday, June 14, 2012

A Tinier MINI: Rocketman

A smaller MINI wearing the colors of the Union Jack is a tribute to London Games 2012. We are unsure if the Rocketman will make it into production, but the styling cues seen on this concept could make it on to the next generation MINI Coopers. Read the press release and a full gallery after the Jump.



A tribute to the capital of Britain: The new-look MINI Rocketman Concept.

Press Release: Munich/Oxford/London. This summer the best athletes from some 200 countries will gather in London, England for the London 2012 Games – the biggest sporting spectacle on the planet. A total of 302 medals for the Olympic Games and 503 for the Paralympic Games will be up for grabs between July and early September, but the Games are about more than outstanding sporting achievement alone. The event plays a particularly important role as a platform for cultures to interact. And for London itself, there is the opportunity to once again put its best foot forward as host city. British premium car brand MINI will roll out the red carpet for the Olympians and Paralympians with the new edition of a spectacular small car study first presented at the International Geneva Motor Show 2011. The new design of the MINI Rocketman Concept combines innovative ideas for personal mobility in major cities with classical, unmistakably British design features inside and out. This extraordinary car will be on show in the BMW Group Pavilion, which is located close to the Olympic and Paralympic Village and will act as a showcase for the company during the Games.

The MINI Rocketman Concept caused quite a stir at the Geneva Motor Show 2011 as a ground-breaking new concept car majoring in driving fun in tight spaces. The 3+1-seater, with its three doors and an exterior length of just over three metres, is imbued with the timeless core values of the brand: irresistible design, clever functionality, smile-inducing agility and exceptional efficiency. In the process, it also offers a very contemporary take on the “creative use of space” principle that has held sway at the British carmaker for more than 50 years. The concept car approaches classic Mini territory in terms of dimensions, while advanced technology underpins a lifestyle-focused mobility solution equipped for life in large cities such as London over the years ahead. The MINI Rocketman Concept’s spaceframe is made from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic, enabling a lightweight construction. Its innovative interior concept accommodates three full-size seats and an extra seat suitable for short journeys.

A commitment to British style and the roots of the brand.

The new edition of the concept car sees MINI reaffirming its commitment to the brand’s British roots. The classic Mini reached out from its homeland to leave an indelible mark on roads around the world, and MINI Plant Oxford now produces no fewer than five models for the brand’s global markets. The new MINI Rocketman Concept wears its British heritage on its sleeve, most prominently in its exterior and interior colour schemes and more subtly through the use of extremely high-quality materials and stylish details. All in all, it embodies a typically British form of sporting elegance.

The colours of the British national flag, the Union Jack, come to the fore on both the outside and inside of the car, red and white accents accompanying the dominant dark blue. The body’s non-metallic paintwork is interspersed with exposed carbon components at the front end and around the doors. And the 18-inch light-alloy wheels have white polished areas and a metallic red accent. Matt Porcelain White paintwork is also used for the mirror caps, boot opener and surrounds for the radiator grille and headlights.

The grille structure – made up of MINI logos – could certainly be described as an “eye magnet”, thanks also to its red metallic paint finish and contrasting white surround. A red strip emphasises the path of the hallmark MINI diagonal link between the wheel arch and door at the foot of the A-pillar. This takes a particularly chunky form on the concept car and also makes a feature of the door hinges. The two-section split boot opening consists of one upward-pivoting element and a second segment which extends out of the body in the form of a drawer – and which is also painted blue on the inside in the new MINI Rocketman Concept. The rear lights have a trapezoidal stirrup design and work using projector technology.

Another special feature is the distinctive lighting design for the roof. The concept car has a full-surface glass roof, whose illuminated braces recreate the look of Britain’s Union Jack flag. Even when the roof is not illuminated, the braces – running horizontally, lengthways and diagonally – continue to shine in bright Porcelain White. In darkness, the integrated optical fibres provide a pleasant indirect illumination of the interior and a compelling night design visible from the outside. On the new MINI Rocketman Concept, the roof’s transparent surfaces are bordered by a metallic red painted strip.

All aboard for a sporting ambience and tribute to London.

The Union Jack-led colour concept is also employed extensively and to stylish effect inside the new edition of the MINI Rocketman Concept. The interior exudes a sporting ambience, while intricate details emphasise the car’s connection to London. The inner door panels and rear side sections are trimmed in dark blue nubuck leather, while the familiar MINI elliptical door rings provide an effective contrast with their white leather. The circular surrounds for features such as the air vents, door pulls and stereo speakers, are split into two sections and consist of a red inner ring and white outer ring.

The exposed carbon elements in the interior accentuate the MINI Rocketman Concept’s high-tech character and are incorporated into its colour scheme. For example, the blue paintwork used for the dashboard merges smoothly into black around the steering wheel, producing a harmonious flow of colour into the dark carbon surfaces. The most distinctive element of the dashboard is the cockpit surface, which is bordered by a red bar and has a striking 3D effect. Its relief structure depicts the name of every host city of the summer Olympic Games in the modern era using artistically intricate lettering, with London given particularly prominent billing.

The seat surfaces blend blue nubuck leather with an innovative textile fibre. The upper sections of the seats’ side bolsters, which provide additional support under dynamic cornering, are made from a rubberised material whose composition takes its cues – in terms of both style and function – from high-performance sports textiles and shoes. The seat belts also share the dark blue tone of the seat surfaces, while thin red and white strips add extra flourishes.

The new design of the MINI Rocketman Concept also displays its sporting spirit, Brit-chic style and eye for extravagant details through the range of sophisticated accessories for the interior. The stowage compartment on the centre console between the driver and front passenger symbolises a basketball court with miniature players. The key fob for the new concept car, meanwhile, comes in the form of a rocket decked out in British national colours. Other interior features include a rucksack attached behind the front passenger seat, which is made from the same rubberised material used for the seat bolsters and also sports the three-dimensional cockpit motif.

The new edition of the MINI Rocketman Concept cuts an unquestionably British and unmistakably MINI figure. Designed to welcome the athletes taking part in the “greatest sporting show on earth” to London this summer, the new edition of the concept car underlines the central role played by typically MINI customisation in every new product idea from the brand. The MINI Rocketman Concept also captures the imagination with its innovative technology, giving it all the ingredients it needs to lay on an irresistible combination of driving fun and sustainability. This, then, is further evidence of the brand’s extraordinary creativity in the design of solutions for urban mobility over the years ahead.











Wednesday, June 13, 2012

BMW i3 gets new Interior and Pedelec Electric Bike

Beautiful BMW i3 photoshoot all around Central London and Canary Wharf showing off the BMW i3's new lounge like interior! For the first time we have pictures of the new BMW i Charging station and a new foldable BMW Pedelec Electric Bicycle Concept to further extend your range with your lunch. Read the full press release inside.






Press Release: BMW i premieres in London:
New concepts mark the opening of the world’s first BMW i Store.


To coincide with the opening of the world’s first BMW i Store on London’s Park Lane, the BMW Group will present the BMW i3 Concept with a new interior colour and materials concept. Based on the original concept car which premiered at last year’s Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA), the BMW i3 Concept is now influenced even more heavily by the “next premium” approach, and in so doing trains the spotlight squarely on the issue of sustainability.

Celebrating its premiere at the BMW i Store is the new BMW i Pedelec (Pedal Electric Cycle) Concept [full details and photos]

– a custom-made complement to the BMW i3 Concept. The ace up the sleeve of the compact bicycle? It can be folded up almost in the blink of an eye and, handily, there is room for two of them in the boot of the BMW i3 Concept.

The BMW Group will unveil its comprehensive 360° ELECTRIC package in London for the first time. This extensive range of products and services provides an extremely reliable, comfortable and flexible way of experiencing the benefits of electromobility on a day-to-day basis.

New BMW i sales channels are designed to give customers a user-friendly and customer-orientated access point to its range of products and services. To this end, it has demonstrated a particularly acute awareness of customers’ increasing expectations when it comes to flexibility within the purchasing process.

New BMW i3 Concept: generous feeling of space combined with a unique materials concept based around renewable raw materials.
A mixture of leather, wood, wool and other renewable raw materials shapes the face of the BMW i3 Concept interior, the extensive use of natural fibres inside the car underlining the premium blueprint of BMW i.

The eucalyptus wood used for the instruments is sourced from sustainably managed European forests. This ensures that delivery distances remain short and keeps the spotlight on sustainability through all the stages of production. The wood is treated using natural materials, giving it a high-class finish and distinctive hue.

A natural tanning agent made from olive leaves is used for the leather adorning the interior. This extract from the leaves of the olive tree provides the leather with a natural layer of protection against bleaching and wear. Production of the naturally tanned leather – which comes in the new colour tone Cassia – therefore focuses on maximising durability as well as minimising environmental impact. The leather combines with the high-quality wool used for sections of the instrument panel and door trim to lend the interior a pleasant lounge-style ambience.

The passenger cell – the Life module – opens up a generous feeling of space beyond the scope of any conventional series-produced car to date. There is no centre tunnel bisecting the cabin, and the interior creates an open and airy impression. The full-width seat benches in the front and rear allow passengers to swap easily from one side of the car to the other and climb out comfortably – a boon in tight parking spaces, in particular. The passengers sit in a slightly raised position, which allows good visibility in city traffic and makes it easier to get in and out of the car.

Cockpit shows off cutting-edge interface design.
One of the defining features of the cockpit is the freestanding steering column, which houses the most important controls, principally the instrument cluster, start/stop button and gearshift lever. Other units, such as the controls for the audio and climate control functions, are integrated into the instrument panel, eliminating the need for a centre console. Three large displays provide the interface between the BMW i3 Concept, its passengers and the outside world. Together, the freestanding 6.5-inch instrument cluster on the steering column and the 8.8-inch central information display (CID) show all the relevant information, the latter also providing the link between the driver and various connectivity applications. A third display below the CID shows the functions of the audio system and automatic climate control. The displays all share cutting-edge and visually appealing graphics, and boast outstanding clarity.

BMW i Design: dynamic proportions wrapped up in a new colour scheme.
The design of the body reveals the qualities of the BMW i3 Concept the first time you set eyes on it. Dynamic and compact proportions advertise the car’s agility and the sporting prowess of its electric drive system. The car’s dominant colours are the new shade Andesite Silver and familiar High-gloss Black, with eye-catching touches added by the BMW i Blue adorning the logo, kidney grille, door sills and rear apron. The high-gloss surfaces and the contrast of black, silver and blue combine to showcase the car’s impressive product substance.

The silhouette: a light and airy “space shuttle”.
Viewed from the side, the dynamic wedge shape, flowing silhouette and long wheelbase of the BMW i3 Concept catch the eye. From this angle, the exceptional spaciousness of the interior is already evident from the outside, while the short front and rear overhangs point to the excellent manoeuvrability of the BMW i3 Concept. The car’s functional qualities are also underlined by the opposing “coach” doors, which enable extremely comfortable access to the light and airy interior. Generously sized glazed surfaces create a light-footed appearance and, together with the visible carbon structures, lend visual expression to the car’s impressively low weight.

The hallmark BMW i front end.
The clearly structured front end of the BMW i3 Concept is dominated by the strikingly designed kidney grille, which has the hallmark BMW i blue background and – thanks to the car’s all-electric drive system – is totally blanked off. Below the kidney grille, a silver-coloured layer lends the front apron its form. Black-painted surfaces mark out the functional areas of the front end, such as the load compartment under the bonnet and the air inlets, while pronounced Air Curtains provide the car’s advanced aerodynamics with an additional visual focus. Another conspicuous feature at the front of the car are the LED headlights with their signature BMW i U-shaped design.

The rear exudes practicality and offers enough space to accommodate the BMW i Pedelec Concept.
The practicality of the BMW i3 Concept is highlighted particularly vividly at the rear of the car. A large, wide-opening rear window offers optimum access to the rear compartment, while the upright roof pillars create additional load capacity.

The variable-usage boot can be further expanded by folding down the rear seats and can accommodate two folding BMW i Pedelec Concept electrically-powered bicycles, which make it significantly easier to move around urban areas, in particular, but also provide increased scope for mobility when you swap the city streets for country air. A broad rear diffuser and U-shaped rear lights integrated into the rear window lend visual emphasis to the car’s powerful stance.

LifeDrive architecture: innovative modular design.
To exploit the potential of electric drive as effectively as possible, the BMW i3 Concept’s architecture, chassis and body are designed to meet the specific challenges facing mobility today. By implementing key features like lightweight design, use of innovative materials and crash safety today, the BMW i LifeDrive concept has already paved the way for the electric drive technology of tomorrow. As with a body-on-frame set-up, the LifeDrive architecture is a horizontally split construction consisting of two separate, independent modules. While the Drive module, most of whose components are made of aluminium, incorporates the drive system, battery and chassis, along with basic structural and crash functions, the Life module is a lightweight yet high-strength passenger cell made from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP).

This is the first time this high-tech material has been used on such a large scale in automotive production. The concept model also scales new dimensions in weight, structural strength and crash safety. As well as their benefits for performance and agility, these qualities also increase the driving range of the BMW i3 Concept. The LifeDrive architecture is purpose-designed for an electric- drive vehicle – for example it allows the large battery packs to be integrated entirely underfloor, in the centre of the vehicle, resulting in both a low centre of gravity and optimal balance.


eDrive: agile, powerful drive system, emission-free at the point of use.
With four seats, wide-opening doors and around 200 litres of boot space, the electrically powered BMW i3 Concept is a practical and intelligent city car which produces zero local emissions. Its electric motor develops 125 kW/170 hp and produces its peak torque of 250 Newton metres (170 lb-ft) from standstill.

The electric motor provides the lightweight BMW i3 Concept with dynamic performance and impressive agility – and not only when pulling away from traffic lights. The electric concept model sprints from 0 to 60 km/h (37 mph) in under four seconds, and to 100 km/h (62 mph) in under eight seconds. The generous torque is available across a wide rpm range, resulting in very smooth power delivery. A single-speed gearbox sends the power to the rear wheels and accelerates the BMW i3 Concept to a top speed of 150 km/h (93 mph) – without interrupting the torque.

Power electronics: intelligent and efficient.
Intelligent power electronics ensure that the electric power onboard the BMW i3 Concept is used economically and efficiently. If the driver eases up on the accelerator, the electric motor acts as a generator, converting the kinetic energy into electricity which is then fed back into the battery. This results in a braking effect which the driver can make use of as necessary. Alternatively, the driver can select coasting mode, in which the zero torque control keeps the electric motor disconnected from the drive axle. In this mode the BMW i3 Concept coasts with virtually no power consumption, driven solely by its own kinetic energy.

With ECO PRO mode, drivers can increase the driving range of their vehicle and reduce their power consumption at the press of a button. With ECO PRO+, the BMW i3 Concept takes this a stage further and operates exclusively in range-maximising mode. In this mode the main electrical consumers such as the air-conditioning and heating systems operate at minimum power level, and auxiliary consumers such as the heated seats and heated mirrors are shut down altogether.

High-voltage battery: reliable, durable and powerful.
Another stand-out feature of the innovative electric drive system is the high power-to-size ratio of the motor. Since this compact drive unit is mounted over the rear axle, together with the power electronics, transmission and differential, there is no reduction in interior space. The power needed to drive the motor and to operate all other vehicle functions is supplied by specially developed lithium-ion battery cells. They too are positioned underfloor, in an ideal location. The optimized design of the high-voltage battery used in the BMW i3 Concept minimizes the effect of variations in external factors on the amount of power the battery can provide. An intelligent heating/cooling system keeps the battery at its optimal operating temperature at all times, helping to increase the performance and life expectancy of the cells. The battery can be fully recharged in six hours at a standard power socket. If the BMW i Wallbox high-speed charger is used, an 80 per cent charge can be achieved in just one hour.

The BMW i concept.
BMW i stands for visionary vehicles and mobility services, inspiring design and a new approach to premium mobility that is strongly focused on sustainability. Under this new sub-brand, the BMW Group is developing purpose-designed vehicle concepts which will redefine the whole concept of personal mobility. The cornerstones are the use of innovative technologies, intelligent lightweight design and innovative materials to create vehicles with minimized weight, maximized driving range, generous interior space, effortless driveability and optimized safety. Part of the same family as the BMW i8 Concept Coupe and BMW i8 Concept Spyder hybrid models, the BMW i3 is the first all-electric vehicle from BMW i. It will go into production in 2013.

Sustainability is a defining feature of BMW i and is applied right across the value chain, from purchasing, development and production to sales and marketing. BMW i will take efficiency to new levels in the production of its vehicles: the Leipzig production plant will achieve additional 70 per cent savings on water consumption and 50 per cent savings on energy consumption per vehicle produced. Moreover, 100 per cent of the energy used will be renewable.

BMW i: New sales structures for personal mobility give customers a whole new buying experience.

BMW i is a byword for the development of visionary vehicles boasting inspirational design and demonstrating a particularly keen sense for sustainability. However, BMW i also represents a fresh understanding of premium mobility, a form of personal mobility and flexibility geared to the demands of the future and the requirements of its clientele. New BMW i sales channels are designed to maximize the user-friendliness and premium attributes the sub-brand’s customers experience in accessing its range of products and services. To this end, it has demonstrated a particularly acute awareness of customers’ increasing expectations when it comes to flexibility within the purchasing process. This unwavering focus on what owners want opens up an all-new buying experience and helps to put clear water between BMW i and its competitors.

Sales of BMW i products and services will be handled via an innovative multi- channel model in selected markets. In addition to the established “stationary” sales channel – i.e. an authorised dealer – BMW i will also bring a mobile sales team, a Customer Interaction Centre (CIC) and internet sales hub on stream. All the new platforms will be fully interlinked, enabling customers to tailor their chosen contact channel to their needs and/or switch between channels at any time during the purchasing process, should they so desire.

The internet channel represents an ever-present response to a customer’s need to be able to source information and purchase products at any time and from any location. BMW is setting out to ensure that these benefits are available for all products and services.

The Customer Interaction Centre (CIC), meanwhile, specializes in providing a more personal service, if required. This includes a full suite of information on every aspect of mobility services and sustainability, and the services of a mobile sales advisor.

A mobile sales advisor offers potential customers the option of one-to-one consultancy for a BMW i product, provided on a flexible basis and away from the BMW showroom. This allows individual requirements – covering everything from model selection, equipment specification and colour to finance options – to be identified at an early stage. The mobile sales advisor arranges an initial test drive appointment at the most geographically convenient BMW i partner outlet for the customer. And the customer can also benefit from the advisor’s personal assistance during the initial introduction to the car and the test drive itself.

Whichever sales channel(s) a customer chooses, their contract is always with BMW AG and not, as is usually the case, with the dealer; this applies regardless of whether the customer has opted for one of the wide range of leasing offers or decided to purchase the BMW i outright. The new sales channels can even process all the various means of payment.

The traditional sales channel provided by independent authorised BMW dealers will continue to play an important role in vehicle sales. Expanding the system into a multi-channel model provides sales partners with additional resources when it comes to prioritizing time spent with customers.

However, not all BMW dealers will also sell BMW i models. Based on the customer target groups and vehicle characteristics, the BMW Group is initially intending to serve the regions generating greatest demand – i.e. large population centres – via selected BMW i partners. More than 10 per cent of European BMW dealers are expected to represent BMW i from the launch of the sub-brand in 2013, focusing primarily on vehicle availability and the range of services on offer to customers. And should demand increase as expected, the network can be expanded at any time to include additional BMW i sales partners.

The company’s main objective, however, is to maintain its focus on a comprehensive network of service locations which aims to maximise customer satisfaction and take into account the operating range of BMW i vehicles. For the most part, a standard service can be carried out within the existing BMW Service network. The bespoke elements of the carbon-fibre Life module and servicing of the high-voltage battery under warranty will be taken care of by experts at the selected BMW i partners.

BMW i: 360° Electric – the complete product and service package for electric mobility.

With its innovative vehicle concepts, accompanying mobility services and all- round high standards of sustainability, BMW i is following an integrated approach to mobility, aimed at meeting customers’ needs and perfectly matching all individual requirements. Customers who in future choose a BMW i can count on getting a complete product and service package designed to cater fully to the needs of the future BMW i driver. The specially compiled, all-inclusive 360° ELECTRIC package will combine the advantages of electric mobility with high levels of everyday reliability, convenience and flexibility

Taking the basic requirements for an electric vehicle as reliability, ease of use, and effortless everyday driveability, particular attention was devoted to aspects such as driving range, battery life, maintenance, charging options and breakdown management – those aspects which are foremost in the minds of EV drivers. With 360° ELECTRIC, BMW i will offer a complete product and service package which BMW i3 drivers can rely on at all times, wherever they go. This package will be adaptable to a complete range of individual, user-specific mobility preferences, using innovative concepts and solutions.

The 360° ELECTRIC product and service package is based on four main pillars: home charging, public charging, guaranteed mobility and, fourthly, integration with other innovative mobility concepts in order to overcome range restrictions. Services available to BMW i customers will include supply and installation of a home charging box, supply of green electricity, access to public charging points, comprehensive maintenance services and mobility guarantees, flexible car- sharing solutions and helpful BMW apps for the computer and smartphone.

HOME CHARGING
The driver will encounter one of the main differences between a conventional, combustion-engined vehicle and an electric vehicle when it comes to recharging. That said, in other areas of their daily life, drivers have long been used to recharging electric devices such as a mobile phone on a regular or as-needed basis. In the same way the BMW i3, too, can be recharged at any standard household power socket. For customers with their own garage or private parking place, BMW i will additionally offer BMW i Wallboxes which offer not only safer but also convenient and faster charging. Customers will be able to choose between a basic version for safe and convenient charging and a premium version for even faster, “smart” charging (for example charging can be managed in accordance with the current grid load). Optionally, BMW i can also provide an installation service for the BMW i Wallbox, which will be fitted by a trained specialist.

And because sustainable electric mobility begins with sustainable electricity generation, BMW i can also help drivers who want to use renewable “green” electricity. To go with home charging, BMW i will also offer drivers a range of green electricity products supplied in cooperation with partners in the energy industry.

PUBLIC CHARGING
Beyond this, BMW i can offer individually tailored solutions for customers who are not able to charge their vehicle at home or in the workplace. This will be the case particularly in towns and cities where parking space is very limited. In cooperation with car park operators and operators of public charging points, BMW i will offer such customers easy access to a full-coverage network of public charging stations. Using their navigation system, or via the internet and/or a smartphone app, BMW i3 drivers will be able to find out where charging stations are located along their route and, wherever the relevant technology is already up and running, conveniently book and pay for a slot in advance. This will also mean drivers can be sure of finding a slot available whenever they need one.


ASSISTANCE SERVICES
With the BMW i3, drivers can enjoy driving a reliable vehicle with the additional reassurance of being able to call on assistance round the clock if they need it. A comprehensive maintenance system and mobility guarantees, and intelligent comfort and convenience features, will ensure that customers can enjoy the advantage of electric mobility without stress or fuss.

Amongst other things, they can use their smartphone to check on – or program – the battery status and charge level, or remaining vehicle range. They can also check on or program the heating and air-conditioning systems. A navigation system with special additional options will provide useful assistance with journey planning. For example, it can be programmed to select the most energy-efficient route. Drivers can also view charging stations situated along their route,so that they make the most of the BMW i3’s driving range. In this connection BMW i is also actively supporting – together with other partners – the development of an integrated public charging infrastructure which will offer EV customers further convenience features such as advance booking of charging stations and easy and transparent payment processes.

All service or repair work requirements are covered by a comprehensive service package. The work is performed by a BMW i service partner, and the BMW i customer is offered an extensive choice of replacement mobility options while the car is off the road. BMW also provides prompt service in the highly unlikely event of a breakdown, or if the battery charge runs out. BMW mobile service vehicles will either charge the BMW i3 on the spot or, if the customer prefers, transport it to the nearest charging station.


FLEXIBLE MOBILITY
Sometimes customers have mobility requirements that cannot be optimally met by an electric vehicle, due to range restrictions. For such cases, BMW i offers complementary mobility packages which ensure that drivers who need to travel longer distances can do so without difficulty – for example by providing temporary hire of a conventionally powered BMW.

For maximum flexibility, particularly in the event of urban congestion problems, the BMW ConnectedDrive functions can also signpost customers to alternative modes of transport such as suburban rail or metro. And BMW i customers will also have access to the DriveNow car-sharing service, which can be an invaluable option when traveling to another city on business.
With its 360° ELECTRIC package, BMW i is demonstrating how intelligent, flexible solutions can overcome the range restrictions of an electric vehicle.

With this complete product/service package, BMW i will offer electric vehicle customers convenient and cutting-edge mobility whose flexibility offers attractive options for all types of customer.