| | |||||||||||||||||||
BMW has made good on their plans for developing an urban vehicle for the metropolitan areas. They’ve unveiled the first sketches and official details on the future Megacity Vehicle due to come to the market in 2013. According to BMW, it will be the world’s first volume-produced vehicle with a passenger cell made from carbon. The Megacity Vehicle will be built on a new LifeDrive architecture that will help reduce the car’s weight by 250 to 300 kilos. The LifeDrive concept consists of two horizontally separated, independent modules. The Drive module integrates the battery, drive system, and structural and crash functions into a single construction within the chassis. Working in conjunction with the Drive module is the Life module which consists primarily of a high-strength and extremely lightweight passenger cell made from CFRP. These aspects of car building will lead the way to a whole new process for building cars. A process that will be simpler, more flexible, and use less energy. "The drive system remains the heartbeat of a car, and that also applies to electric vehicles. Powertrains also remain a core area of expertise of Bayerische Motoren Werke. Electromobility and the hallmark BMW driving pleasure make an excellent match, if you go about things the right way. For this reason we are developing the powertrain for the Megacity Vehicle in-house – that includes the electric motor, the power electronics and the battery system." In an interview with Automotive News, BMW revealed plans on selling 30,000 units of the i3, which they say is "comparable to one of the lower-volume Mini derivatives." BMW also revealed that when it does go on sale in 2013, the i3 will be priced at about 40,000 euro in Europe, or about $55,000 at the current exchange rates. UPDATE 05/16/2011: New details on the BMW i3 have been revealed thanks to CarAndDriver. According to them, the i3 will be priced at about $35,000 and will be powered by an 150 HP electric engine. It will be capable of hitting a top speed of 100 mph, while delivering an average autonomy of 160 miles. UPDATE 08/15/2011: The BMW i3 was recently spotted on Wacker Drive in Chicago, presumably while filming a commercial. Hit the jump to see the i3 live and in color! UPDATE 11/21/2011: After a very long time the upcoming BMW i3 has been caught on the back of a truck in the south of Germany. This latest prototypes gets the headlights in the correct position, while the roof line and that the window in the C-pillar are similar to the i3 Concept. The doors will be opened the same way as on the Mini Clubman - meaning the i3 will also get suicide doors. The car will use a powerful 170 HP electric engine that will sprint the car from 0 to 60 mph in under 8 seconds and up to a top speed of 93 mph. UPDATE 02/01/2012: The upcoming BMW i3 has been caught testing again, during winter conditions in Nothern Sweden. UPDATE 08/01/2012: Our spy photographers have caught the next BMW i3 testing during hot weather conditions somewhere in Southern Europe. Press release after the jump. BMW i3, Presumably During Commercial Filming Cold Weather Testing in Sweden Press release The BMW Group is once again breaking new ground with the Megacity Vehicle (MCV), due to come onto the market in 2013: “The Megacity Vehicle is a revolutionary automobile. It will be the world’s first volume-produced vehicle with a passenger cell made from carbon. Our LifeDrive architecture is helping us to open a new chapter in automotive lightweight design. Indeed, this concept allows us to practically offset the extra 250 to 350 kilograms of weight typically found in electrically powered vehicles.” says Klaus Draeger, Member of the Board of Management for Development. 45 comments: BMW i3 Wow, the last time that I saw this one, it is just a drawing. And now I am seeing the prototype finally hitting the streets, looks very promising indeed.
 For sure,BMW only focuses on the design of this car. I think they should consider first the concept of electric car, they should study it further. For sure this future car will turned into electric-diesel hybrid!
 Actually, BMW has been tinkering with the Megacity vehicle concept for several years now. It is just recently that they have decided to move on with an actual concept.
 Well, BenBoston , i think BMW will definitely dropped this concept. I think we should wait for further detailing and production of this car. Though, i find the concept not that extraordinary but it’s BMW anyways, for sure they will apply the concept of the future mobility here!
 It is likely that his one might take a bit before becoming reality. As it is, there are still a lot of issues that needs to be sorted out before BMW can release a production version of this one.
 How I wish I could be excited about this car! I don’t know if Megacity is a new series or based from their recent series? I’m not happy about this “remote controlled car”. I need a new car technology. Understood?
 This one would definitely be a fine concept it BMW is able to make it work. But I doubt that it would reach the market anytime soon.
 Wow, $55,000 for this car, that’s actually quite cheap. And when you consider all the features that BMW says will be included in their release, then this is definitely worth it.
 M3 killer and one of the best designs to come out of BMW lately. Considering trading my e46 m3 for 2011 z3 35 is,but waiting for BMW to make M Z4.
|
| ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
Posted on
04.19.2011 @ 01:04