When talking about the future Project i, BMW->ke178 said it will be like no other car they built before, featuring an electric motor and a carbon fiber structure. A first prototype will be unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show->ke235 and the production version will follow in 2013.

The Project i will feature a carbon steel - because there is no material that is lighter and stiffer - with the target being a total weight of 950 kilos. There will be three different body versions. The plan is a production of 150,000 cars per year including a three-door/four seater with a length of 4.00 m. We already know of this particular model. Its name is the Megacity and will be produced starting in 2013. The next model is a three-door/two seater with a length of about 3.30 meters that is said to be launched in 2015 and a five-door version with a length of 4.2 meters debuting in 2017.

Basically, the Project-i models start with electric drive and lithium-ion batteries. The top version will be offered with a regenerative braking system. The mid-level version is expected to be a long range hybrid and the entry level will deliver around 100 HP and will have an autonomy of 150 to 200 kilometers.

Prices will start in the 30,000 euro range ($36,000 at the current exchange rates) for the base model.

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