First two cars of the new brand will be the BMW i3 and the BMW i8. The i3 is the production version of the Mega City Vehicle, the i8 the production version of the Vision Efficient Dynamics.
Both of the new cars will be built at BMW’s Leipzig plant in Germany thanks to a 400 million euro ($543 million) investment, including the announcement of 800 new jobs. The cars are set to hit the market some time in 2013.
Both the i3 and i8 keep their weight to a minimum thanks to a"revolutionary construction concept" known as carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP), according to BMW. This, the firm says, cancels out practically all the extra weight added by the batteries, so the i3 and i8 will offer"superior driving dynamics" combined with significantly increased range when running on electric power.
New BMW sub-brand: BMW i
"With BMW i, we are building on the success and strength of our core brand," emphasised Robertson. The BMW i3- previously known as the Megacity Vehicle - will be the BMW Group's first series-produced car for urban areas to be driven by electric power alone. The BMW i8, meanwhile, is based on the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept study. Its plug-in hybrid drive blends the sporting ability of a high-performance machine with the fuel consumption and emissions of a small car. Both models are based on a revolutionary construction concept known as LifeDrive architecture. An aluminium chassis houses the powertrain, and the passenger cell consists of high-strength but extremely lightweight carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP)."Both cars have been designed specifically for their respective alternative drive systems. We used the innovative architecture and CFRP to cancel out practically all of the extra weight added by the batteries. For our customers this means superior driving dynamics combined with significantly increased range using electric power," explains Klaus Draeger, BMW Board member responsible for development.BMW i8 to be built in Leipzig
Like the BMW i3, the BMW i8 will also be manufactured at BMW's Leipzig plant. Around 400 million euros will be invested in new plant facilities and some 800 jobs will be created up to 2013. Development and production synergies will be achieved through both vehicles using the same component sets for the electric motors, power electronics, and high-voltage lithium-ion batteries.A range of vehicle-independent services
An additional range of mobility services - which can also be used independently of the cars - will be an integral component of BMW i. This will allow the creation of a new, profitable area of business over the long term and attract new customers to the company's brands."Mobility requirements are changing in rapidly expanding megacities" adds Ian Robertson."Our commitment to car-enabled mobility services, like BMW ConnectedDrive, will be significantly expanded under BMW i. We'll also grow our car-related premium mobility services. What's truly groundbreaking is that we'll begin offering car-independent premium mobility services. BMW i aims to provide customized mobility solutions across a seamless network of premium products and premium services." The focus is on solutions which will improve usage of existing parking spaces, as well as intelligent navigation systems with local information, intermodal route planning, and premium car-sharing. In addition to services developed in-house, the BMW Group is pursuing collaborations with partner companies and exploring strategic capital investments in providers of mobility services. To this end, the venture capital company BMW i Ventures has the goal to expand the range of products and services offered by BMW i in the long term by taking stakes in highly innovative service providers. New York-based My City Way is the first company in which BMW i Ventures has taken a stake. Of the partnership, Ian Robertson said,"I am thrilled to announce that we have just signed our first strategic partnership with My City Way. As a mobile app, My City Way provides users with information on public transportation, parking availability, and local entertainment for over 40 cities in the US. Another 40 cities will be part of the global rollout, including Munich, of course."
Both of the new cars will be built at BMW’s Leipzig plant in Germany thanks to a 400 million euro ($543 million) investment, including the announcement of 800 new jobs. The cars are set to hit the market some time in 2013.
Both the i3 and i8 keep their weight to a minimum thanks to a"revolutionary construction concept" known as carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP), according to BMW. This, the firm says, cancels out practically all the extra weight added by the batteries, so the i3 and i8 will offer"superior driving dynamics" combined with significantly increased range when running on electric power.
New BMW sub-brand: BMW i- BMW i stands for sustainable vehicles and mobility solutions
- Two models available from launch: BMW i3 and BMW i8 Mobility services complement core business
- BMW i Ventures holding company founded
"With BMW i, we are building on the success and strength of our core brand," emphasised Robertson. The BMW i3- previously known as the Megacity Vehicle - will be the BMW Group's first series-produced car for urban areas to be driven by electric power alone. The BMW i8, meanwhile, is based on the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept study. Its plug-in hybrid drive blends the sporting ability of a high-performance machine with the fuel consumption and emissions of a small car. Both models are based on a revolutionary construction concept known as LifeDrive architecture. An aluminium chassis houses the powertrain, and the passenger cell consists of high-strength but extremely lightweight carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP)."Both cars have been designed specifically for their respective alternative drive systems. We used the innovative architecture and CFRP to cancel out practically all of the extra weight added by the batteries. For our customers this means superior driving dynamics combined with significantly increased range using electric power," explains Klaus Draeger, BMW Board member responsible for development.BMW i8 to be built in Leipzig
Like the BMW i3, the BMW i8 will also be manufactured at BMW's Leipzig plant. Around 400 million euros will be invested in new plant facilities and some 800 jobs will be created up to 2013. Development and production synergies will be achieved through both vehicles using the same component sets for the electric motors, power electronics, and high-voltage lithium-ion batteries.A range of vehicle-independent services
An additional range of mobility services - which can also be used independently of the cars - will be an integral component of BMW i. This will allow the creation of a new, profitable area of business over the long term and attract new customers to the company's brands."Mobility requirements are changing in rapidly expanding megacities" adds Ian Robertson."Our commitment to car-enabled mobility services, like BMW ConnectedDrive, will be significantly expanded under BMW i. We'll also grow our car-related premium mobility services. What's truly groundbreaking is that we'll begin offering car-independent premium mobility services. BMW i aims to provide customized mobility solutions across a seamless network of premium products and premium services." The focus is on solutions which will improve usage of existing parking spaces, as well as intelligent navigation systems with local information, intermodal route planning, and premium car-sharing. In addition to services developed in-house, the BMW Group is pursuing collaborations with partner companies and exploring strategic capital investments in providers of mobility services. To this end, the venture capital company BMW i Ventures has the goal to expand the range of products and services offered by BMW i in the long term by taking stakes in highly innovative service providers. New York-based My City Way is the first company in which BMW i Ventures has taken a stake. Of the partnership, Ian Robertson said,"I am thrilled to announce that we have just signed our first strategic partnership with My City Way. As a mobile app, My City Way provides users with information on public transportation, parking availability, and local entertainment for over 40 cities in the US. Another 40 cities will be part of the global rollout, including Munich, of course."