Autoblog

BMW to launch loaner program to avoid range anxiety on i models

Zach Bowman — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 10:15:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Technology, Hatchback, BMW, Electric

BMW is looking to stave off electric vehicle range anxiety with a new program that offers buyers a free gasoline loaner with every i3 purchase. Ward's Auto reports BMW is confident that the EV will give buyers the kind of transportation they need for 90 percent of their trips. The loaners, meanwhile, will be available for those few occasions when drivers need to cover more ground than the machine's batteries will allow. The i3 gets around with help from a 180-horsepower electric motor paired with a lithium-ion battery pack.

The combo is good for trips of between 80 and 100 miles depending on driving habits and weather conditions, though BMW also plans to offer a model with a small two-cylinder range-extending gasoline engine as well. That option will likely set you back an additional $4,000. When the machine bows in 2014, it will likely come with a charge time of four to six hours when suckling from a 220-volt outlet.

As far as the conventionally powered loaner car goes, the cost of the program is included in the i3's purchase price, though BMW has yet to figure out how many free loans will be offered, or what happens after that threshold is reached.

BMW to launch loaner program to avoid range anxiety on i models originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Mar 2013 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

BMW planning to slot i5 minivan into new range

Noah Joseph — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, BMW, Electric, Luxury

Imagine you're an auto exec launching a new line of cars. One's a sportscar, the other a city car - pretty much opposite extremes on the spectrum of automotive bodystyles. Do you give them alphanumeric nameplates close to one another? Of course not. You assign them disparate numbers to make room for more models to slot in between.

That's just what BMW is doing with its upcoming "i" range, with an i3 at one end and the i8 (star of the recent Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol). So what does it have planned to fit in the middle? According to Autobild out of Germany, an i5.

The third model in the range is tipped to come in as a compact MPV in a similar mold as the Toyota Prius V - only probably significantly more expensive. Underpinnings would likely be borrowed from the i3, but stretched out a bit to make extra room for people and stuff. For that matter, we wouldn't be surprised to see an i2 come in as a two-door version of the i3 with the Smart ForTwo in its sights, or an i6 or i7 electric sedan, either.

BMW planning to slot i5 minivan into new range originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

BMW ActiveE enrollment process now open in test markets

Chris Shunk — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:15:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, BMW, Electric

It isn't every day that BMW offers an electric vehicle, but the ActiveE is just that. The German luxury car maker is now accepting applications for 700 ActiveE "Electronauts" in the test markets of Boston, Hartford, New York, Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego and San Francisco.

The hand-raisers will need to complete a charging station consultation with BMW Partner AeroVironment to make sure the house of the perspective lessee can handle a charger. The meeting will also serve as a teaching session to make sure the user understands the charging and maintenance of an electric vehicle.

Once the perspective lessee meets those criteria, they will be given the opportunity to lease the
4,000-pound, electrified 1 Series Coupe for 24 months at $499 per month, plus $2,250 down. Hit the jump to look over the BMW press release, and head over to BMWActivateTheFuture.com if you're interested in learning more about the ActiveE.

Continue reading BMW ActiveE enrollment process now open in test markets

BMW ActiveE enrollment process now open in test markets originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

BMW i3 and i8 revealed [UPDATED w/video]

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 06:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Technology, Hatchback, BMW, Electric, Luxury

We've just touched down in Frankfurt to get all the details on BMW's new electric cars, but before we get into the nitty-gritty of BMW i, its philosophy and the engineering behind it, here's a brief introduction to the first two models, the i3 and i8. Officially, the two artfully greenhoused cars seen above are 'concepts,' but they're actually anything but. Click through to the jump to read all about them.

UPDATE: Added a few live images, along with the first promo vid. More to come.

Continue reading BMW i3 and i8 revealed [UPDATED w/video]

BMW i3 and i8 revealed [UPDATED w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Jul 2011 06:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Confirmed: BMW i3 to be RWD, mid-"engine"

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:28:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Hatchback, BMW, Electric

2013 BMW i3 prototype - Click above for high-res image gallery

As if the spy video we featured previously wasn't enough proof, today we've confirmed that the smallest BMW i family offering, the i3, will be coming to market in 2013 with a rear-wheel-drive powertrain, and the electric motor powering those wheels will be mounted amidships.

The platform, which is all-new and primarily comprised of carbon fiber, was developed to house the motor ahead of the rear wheels, with the battery pack mounted below the trunk. According to a BMW spokesperson, the drivetrain can be completely separated from the body, making service and replacement a cinch.

The first version of this all-electric drivetrain will be fitted to the ActiveE 1-Series, BMW's second EV after the Mini E, which will make its North American debut at the New York Auto Show later this month. However, the primary difference between the i3's system and the unit fitted to the ActiveE is the battery pack. On the i3, the cells will be grouped together, whereas the electrified 1 Series will have battery packs spanning the space between the passenger compartment and the trunk. Additionally, BMW will be using the NY show to announce the lease plan and pricing for the Active E, so for those looking to get in on the EV sports coupe action, start saving your pennies now.

Gallery: Spy Shots: BMW i3

[Images: CarPix]

Confirmed: BMW i3 to be RWD, mid-"engine" originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Apr 2011 15:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Report: BMW plans to sell 30,000 i3 models a year

Aaron Richardson — Wed, 09 Mar 2011 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Europe, BMW, Electric

BMW Megacity EV - Click above for high-res image gallery

When BMW launches the i3 in 2014, it reportedly hopes to move 30,000 of the electric city cars a year. That number is derived from BMW's stated target of matching the volume of its lower-production Mini models.

The i3, formerly known as the Megacity Vehicle, will launch alongside the i8 plug-in hybrid as the first offerings from BMW's new i subbrand. The i8 is based on BMW's 2009 Vision EfficientDynamics Concept. The i8 will fill the sports car market segment for i.

There's no definitive word on pricing yet, but BMW sources have reportedly told AN it expects to price the i3 somewhere north of 40,000 Euro, though presumably it would be significantly cheaper if it reaches North America.

Gallery: BMW Megacity Vehicle

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Report: BMW plans to sell 30,000 i3 models a year originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

BMW teases Megacity EV, first volume production vehicle with carbon fiber structure

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 09:39:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, BMW, Design/Style, Electric

BMW Megacity Vehicle - Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW has released the first teaser images of its upcoming Megacity electric vehicle and also confirmed that not only will the body panels be formed from carbon fiber, but so will the structure. The Megacity will become the first high volume vehicle with this type of construction. Previously, carbon fiber structures have been limited to race cars and supercars like the McLaren F1 and the new MP4-12c.

BMW is taking advantage of the new flexibility afforded by the electric powertrain and batteries to totally repackage the Megacity and using the carbon fiber structure, it should be able to shed as much weight as possible. The Megacity will be powered by a motor with over 100 kilowatts, but its top speed will be limited to 93 miles-per-hour since the vehicle is designed mainly for urban use. Although the electric drive could push the Megacity to higher speeds, limiting the speed gives the engineers the ability to maximize efficiency and thus range.

When we first drove the Mini E in late 2008, we noted that BMW had programmed in much more regenerative braking when the accelerator is released than other electric cars. BMW is planning to stick with this strategy to effectively turn the Megacity into a one pedal car so that most normal braking is done just with the accelerator and the brake pedal will only be for emergency use. The Megacity vehicle goes on sale in 2013.

Gallery: BMW Megacity Vehicle

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW teases Megacity EV, first volume production vehicle with carbon fiber structure

BMW teases Megacity EV, first volume production vehicle with carbon fiber structure originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 09:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Detroit 2010: BMW ActiveE concept is all charged up and ready to go

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Europe, BMW, Electric

BMW ActiveE concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

At first glance, the BMW ActiveE concept is little more than a 1 Series with a questionable paint job. Seriously, the ActiveE looks like it's been sniffing blue paint. However, should you choose to look more closely, you will notice it's missing tailpipes. Also, someone ripped off the fuel-filler door. There's a blue light on the back of the antenna, too. Why? Good question.

The ActiveE concept is all electric. Similar to the Mini E electric car, the ActiveE is powered by a rear-mounted electric motor that stumps up 170 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, which may even be decent enough to lug the notoriously overweight 1 Series around town. BMW claims 0-60 in less than nine seconds. The juice is stored in a chained-together group of laptop batteries - quite similar to how the Tesla Roadster is set up.

Like the Mini E, BMW is planning on putting the production ActiveE into the hands of consumers who want one. Fleets, too. No word whatsoever on pricing, but expect a lease. For lots more information, read the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Detroit 2010: BMW Active-E concept

Gallery: BMW Concept ActiveE

Live Photos by Chris Paukert / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: BMW]

Continue reading Detroit 2010: BMW ActiveE concept is all charged up and ready to go

Detroit 2010: BMW ActiveE concept is all charged up and ready to go originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

REPORT: BMW will create new electric vehicle sub-brand

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:33:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Marketing/Advertising, Hatchback, BMW, Mini, Rolls-Royce, Electric

BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer has confirmed to Reuters that its future electric cars will be badged as BMWs. This contradicts some earlier rumors that the automaker would revive another brand such as Triumph or Isetta for its electric vehicles.

The company will stick with its existing BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce marques, but Reithofer revealed that the board has voted to create a sub-brand for electric vehicles. This new sub-brand will be similar to BMW's seperate marketing of the "M" line of vehicle, will be targeted at urban drivers and include a two wheeler. The first of these new vehicles will likely start appearing sometime around 2012-13.

Gallery: Quick Drive: MINI E

REPORT: BMW will create new electric vehicle sub-brand originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments