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Report: BMW i3 Price and Specs - $35k, 150HP, 160 mile range

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A report out of Car and Driver claims that the the BMW i3, BMW's first electric vehicle, will start at approximately $35,000. The i3's power, range and top speed will be 150hp, 160 miles, and 100mph, respectively.

Even more stats are provided by their "deep inside source in München [Munich]" - luggage room is supposed to be a large-for-its-size 14.1 cubic feet, split between trunk and the under-hood space.

Despite being an all electric vehicle, the BMW i3 will have sporty intentions. It's been confirmed to be RWD and "mid-engined" and has all along been advertised as using extensive use of carbon fiber to keep its weight down while maintaining structural rigidity. It will be the world's first volume production car made of lightweight carbon fiber and is to be built in Leipzig. BMW expects to have the cars produced in "Significant volumes" by 2013, targeting 30,000 annual sales at the get-go.

* The picture above is merely a rendering. See the latest spy photos of the i3 here - http://www.bimmerpost.com/bmwi/

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[Greenkirby21]

wow great price, nissan leaf is similar(a bit lower), but I doubt it will be able to compete with this. great job BMW if it is in the same price range.

[Crimson92]

ill stick with my mini.

[Krozi]

Wow...biggest pile ever.

[rvladescu]

If it looks like the pic I want one

[Definitive]

Yea, does anyone know if that pic is accurate? Or just some photoshop? This would be a great option as a daily after I buy out my M3!

D

[samchoi604]

Originally Posted by Definitive

Yea, does anyone know if that pic is accurate? Or just some photoshop? This would be a great option as a daily after I buy out my M3!

D

Last sentence states...

* The picture above is merely a rendering. See the latest spy photos of the i3 here - http://www.bimmerpost.com/bmwi/

[johnca]

city daily drive would be nice

[Alchem]

Thats awesome. I want one as a 2nd car! This is the future. I love that BMW is so far ahead of the competition in electric cars.

[SoCali E90]

Am I the only one who thinks that's a bit high in price?

[AnalogDan]

Originally Posted by SoCali E90

Am I the only one who thinks that's a bit high in price?

Compared to the Volt and Leaf, definitely not. And a BMW vs. a Nissan or Chevy should be a no brainer...

[conradb]

Overlapping product range? Mini *cough*

Why not just buy a mini?

[Jblack4083]

That would be a nice daily driver.

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by Greenkirby21

wow great price, nissan leaf is similar(a bit lower), but I doubt it will be able to compete with this. great job BMW if it is in the same price range.

+1 I was fearing 40K. And the range on this thing is impressive too.

I tend to think BMW is swallowing profit margin to enter the "someday-profitable" electric car market. Probably a wise move.



I just hope it looks cool

[crackberry]

That is a little pricey for what you get. I just don't see the appeal of all electric cars when hydrogen cars are the way of the future.

[gunnerxq]

thank god everyone is forced to go green... not. If it wasn't for the restricting regulations and timelines BMW wouldn't have to build a car like this. Drill Baby Drill
Any environmentalists want to curse me out?

[bmwdinamo]

The rendering is way off. Headlights are at level with front wheel arches, not way up there.

[cuban335i]

Originally Posted by crackberry

That is a little pricey for what you get. I just don't see the appeal of all electric cars when hydrogen cars are the way of the future.

Because hydrogen cars aren't the way of the future you idiot (I couldn't think of a nicer word to call you, sorry but it's true). And they will never be... The amount of energy per liter of compressed hydrogen that can be extracted is a fraction of other fuels (so you would need huge tanks to hold enough compressed hydrogen to travel just 100 miles), not to mention the danger of having a huge compressed hydrogen tank in your car that could explode. Hydrogen cars are a gimmick. I hate when people say things with no real knowledge.

Also that is not pricey at all... BMW, all electric, carbon fiber body, and on top of that you get a huge Eco tax credit. -_-

[Taipei-TT]

Originally Posted by gunnerxq

thank god everyone is forced to go green... not. If it wasn't for the restricting regulations and timelines BMW wouldn't have to build a car like this. Drill Baby Drill
Any environmentalists want to curse me out?

Allow me to take a shot!

Electric cars are still good for people like you (and me) who still like a gasoline engine. Here's why:
1. Allow manufacturers to meet emissions targets and offer high consumption, high fun vehicles. I know you will say they are forced to do this. However, you will still benefit if the technology evolves to where cars are truly sustainable. And yes, I agree that this generation of electric cars are not. Electricity still needs to be made, batteries created and disposed of, etc. However, most engineers and business managers rightly point out this is a necessary technological and cultural step forward into a new and unknown technology.

2. Cars with electric motors have better acceleration, and theoretically, could be used for a more balanced car as the technology matures. Tesla hints at this potential, as done the i8 and the Audi e-tron. Are these applications ready to kill off today's refined internal combustion engines? Nope. Will they? I suspect so. So as auto enthusiasts, we should not resist change!

3. Finally, early adopters who wear their green values on their sleeves will buy these cars. Not only will they create a market for them, they will also live through the inevitable teething problems. (Check out the Leaf turtle stories!) You and I are not forced to buy these cars. But one day, we might choose one as the tech gets better!

And on the price, I think that is a pretty sweet price.

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by Taipei-TT

Allow me to take a shot!

Electric cars are still good for people like you (and me) who still like a gasoline engine. Here's why:
1. Allow manufacturers to meet emissions targets and offer high consumption, high fun vehicles. I know you will say they are forced to do this. However, you will still benefit if the technology evolves to where cars are truly sustainable. And yes, I agree that this generation of electric cars are not. Electricity still needs to be made, batteries created and disposed of, etc. However, most engineers and business managers rightly point out this is a necessary technological and cultural step forward into a new and unknown technology.

2. Cars with electric motors have better acceleration, and theoretically, could be used for a more balanced car as the technology matures. Tesla hints at this potential, as done the i8 and the Audi e-tron. Are these applications ready to kill off today's refined internal combustion engines? Nope. Will they? I suspect so. So as auto enthusiasts, we should not resist change!

3. Finally, early adopters who wear their green values on their sleeves will buy these cars. Not only will they create a market for them, they will also live through the inevitable teething problems. (Check out the Leaf turtle stories!) You and I are not forced to buy these cars. But one day, we might choose one as the tech gets better!

And on the price, I think that is a pretty sweet price.

nice post. I agree 100%.

I would add that while electric drive, though not intrinsically green (often coal is the source), it can be green with solar cell, hydro, or wind generation, try that with an ICB engine...

[OrangeDeep]

This is exciting! 35k seems cheap for what you're getting. Even if the range goes down during the winter months, you would still have enough range for long commutes.

[cmk227]

Originally Posted by gunnerxq

thank god everyone is forced to go green... not. If it wasn't for the restricting regulations and timelines BMW wouldn't have to build a car like this. Drill Baby Drill
Any environmentalists want to curse me out?

You are my hero. Drill baby drill!