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Why Motorcyclists Should Care About the New BMW i3

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Addressing its motorcycle division, BMW says it is realigning its brand with a focus on “urban mobility and e-mobility“. BMW is a smart, well run, forward looking company that, as it turns out, has been studying mobility trends for several years in an attempt to time the shift to new types of personal transportation. It is tracking that same shift with its automobile division, and the 2014 BMW i3 automobile represents BMW’s proclaimed first product for a new “era of true sustainable mobility”.

The 2014 i3, at first glance, is just another EV (like the Nissan Leaf, for instance), but BMW claims the i3 carries some distinctions. To begin with, the i3 is the first mass-produced vehicle featuring carbon-fibre-reinforced-plastic (CFRP) as a passenger shell material. As a result, the i3 will weigh roughly 2,700 pounds (relatively light for a vehicle stacked with batteries – the Nissan Leaf weighs roughly 3,300 pounds).

Second, BMW uses considerable renewable energy in the production of the i3, such as wind power and hydroelectric power. Finally, and perhaps most significant, BMW will offer the i3 with an optional, small 2.4 gallon gasoline tank and a gasoline engine generator (that maintains battery charge) as a “range extender” that will give operators close to 100 miles in the event the i3 batteries get close to being  fully discharged.

So the i3 points to an expectation that the motorcycle division of BMW is hard at work on two wheelers with similar technology.  From a packaging perspective, the “range extender” feature would appear to be much more difficult in a motorcycle than in an automobile.  On the other hand, the use of exotic materials like CFRP for weight reduction seem more likely.  Here is the full press release on the new BMW i3:

Woodcliff Lake, N.J. – BMW today introduced the all-new BMW i3 electric car, constructed in a revolutionary way from next-generation materials. The BMW i3 will go on sale in the US market in the second quarter of 2014, and starts with a base MSRP of $41,350, before any federal or state incentives, and before Destination & Handling fee (currently $925).

Contents:

1. Highlights & Quick-References: The All-New BMW i3.
2. The Ultimate Driving Machine: Driving Dynamics Worthy of BMW.
3. The Future of Urban Mobility
4. Design. Aesthetic Appeal with Elegant, Renewable Interior.
5. Explore the Worlds (Vehicle Trim Levels).
6. BMW ConnectedDrive. Mobility services and new driver assistance.
7. 360 Electric. Support and Convenience for Electric Mobility.
8. Safety: Always a true BMW.

1. Highlights: The All-New BMW i3:
The new all-electric BMW i3 is a landmark in BMW’s mission to provide a completely sustainable, electric vehicle that still stays true to the Ultimate Driving Machine moniker. The BMW i3 is the first product of the new BMW i sub-brand, and is a truly purpose built electric car. It’s a new era for electro mobility at BMW.

The vehicle concept behind the BMW i3 was designed from the outset to incorporate an all-electric drive system. This has numerous advantages over “conversion” vehicles, in which the original combustion engine is swapped for an electric motor. The engineers can design whatever works best, in terms of construction, dimensions and configuration of the electric drive system’s components. The car’s development is dictated by the characteristics designed into the car by the development team and not by the constraints imposed by a pre-existing vehicle design. For example, the space in a conversion vehicle set aside for the fuel tank or exhaust system cannot be used. In the BMW i3 there is no need for this kind of compromise.

This leads to the LifeDrive architecture concept, which was purpose-built specifically for the BMW i3. It is comprised of two modules; the Life Module, and the Drive Module. Think of the Life Module as the passenger cabin, or greenhouse. It is the first-ever mass produced Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) passenger cell in the automotive business, and is a big factor in the cars efficiency. Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic is equally as strong as steel, while being 50% lighter, and 30% lighter than aluminum. The result is an electric car that weighs about 2,700 lbs (preliminary US figures).

Due to the lightweight, high tensile strength of CFRP, the passenger cell has added protection, and the battery has less work to do, which allows for the use of a smaller, lighter battery that saves even more weight, reduces charging time and increases range. The light weight design of the Life Module also lowers the BMW i3’s center of gravity, making it a more engaging and dynamic car to drive.

The Drive Module, which is constructed out of 100% aluminum, consists of the 22-kWh, 450 lb. lithium-ion battery, electric drive train, MacPherson strut and 5-link rear suspension system and structural and crash components. The battery mounted in the rear, close to the drive wheels, gives impressive performance characteristics while also providing better traction.

Another benefit of the LifeDrive architecture concept is that there is no space-consuming transmission tunnel running through the center of the car, like in most internal combustion powered cars, because of the separate Drive Module. This gives the BMW i3 the interior space of the BMW 3 Series, while only having the footprint of the much smaller BMW 1 Series.

Even the vehicle’s key is sustainably manufactured. The source material of the new bio-polymer key is based on castor oil pressed from castor seeds. The owner’s manual is also made from renewable resources.

The interior is made using high quality renewable sources and recycled materials. The BMW i3 has the Next Premium interior, which blends sustainable resources with a premium feel for the same interior quality as the BMW 5 Series Sedan. 25% of the plastics in the interior and 25% of the thermoplastic parts on the exterior are made from either recycled materials or renewable sources.

According to studies carried out as part of BMW’s Project i, involving more than 1,000 participants and conducted over some 12.5 million miles, it was revealed that the average daily distance covered was around 30 miles. The BMW i3 will be able to travel 80 to 100 miles on a single charge. This can be increased by up to approximately 12% in ECO PRO mode and by the same amount again in ECO PRO+ mode. It is able to recharge in only 3 hours with the use of a 220V Level 2, 32-amp J1772 charger. The SAE DC Combo Fast Charging, which charges the BMW i3 up to 80% in 20 minutes, and 100% in 30, can be had as an option.

In order to reduce range anxiety, a rear-mounted 650cc, 34 hp, two-cylinder, gasoline-powered Range Extender generator is available, which roughly doubles the vehicle’s range. When the battery gets to a certain level, the Range Extender starts and maintains the battery’s current state of charge. The Range Extender never directly drives the vehicle’s wheels. The Range Extender adds roughly 330 lbs. to the vehicle curb weight and has a fuel capacity of 2.4 gallons.

Since 1999 according to the DOE, average gasoline prices in America have increased from approximately $1.136 to $3.618, or about a 218%. In the same time, the pricing of electricity has increased from 6.6 cents to 9.9 cents, a change of only 50%, making electricity a far more attractive commodity from a pricing standpoint.

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BMW i3 Quick-Reference Highlights.
– Pricing (before federal or local incentives) starts at $41,350; $45,200 for Range Extender model. Destination & Handling Fee not included.
– On Sale: Q2 of 2014 in the USA.
– BMW’s 360 Electric electro mobility services.
– BMW i Remote app, which connects with the car.
– BMW Navigation is standard.
– BMW Intelligent Emergency Call (‘eCall”), Anti theft alarm and Rear Parking Distance Control are standard.

Driving.
– 170-hp, 184 lb-ft hybrid-synchronous electric motor with max. revs of 11,400 rpm.
– 80-100 mile real-world EV range.
– 22-kWh lithium-ion battery, which weighs 450 lbs.
– 650cc gasoline powered Range Extender optional; holds charge, doesn’t power wheels.
– 0-30mph in 3.5 seconds, 0-60mph in approximately 7.0 seconds (preliminary).
– Top speed of 93 mph, electronically limited to preserve efficiency.
– BMW’s signature, near-perfect 50-50 weight distribution.
– Ultra-tight turning radius (32.3 ft), which is ideal for city driving.
– Macpherson strut front and 5-link rear suspension set up.
– Single Pedal Driving Concept with Brake Energy Regeneration, which feeds power back into battery.
– 3 drive modes: Comfort, ECO PRO and ECO PRO+.
– 3 hour 220 V @32 amps charging time.
– Optional SAE DC Combo Fast Charging allows for 80% charge in 20mins; 100% in 30 mins.

Chassis and Body.
– Purpose built construction. World’s first mass-produced CFRP-constructed electric vehicle.
– Built on innovative LifeDrive architecture composed of two parts: Life Module and Drive Module.
– Life Module is essentially the cabin, constructed from Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP).
– Drive Module is where all of the powertrain components are housed.
– Drive Module is made from 100% aluminum.
– Magnesium cross-member for instrument panel saves 20% weight vs. steel.
– BMW 1 Series external footprint with BMW 3 Series interior space.
– Adaptive Full LED headlights and LED taillights (standard in US market).
– Weighs in at roughly 2,700 lbs.
– No space-consuming transmission tunnel dividing car’s interior.
– Pillar-less design with rear coach doors allow for easy entry and exit to rear seats.
– Driver-oriented super-ergonomic controls.
– Three vehicle Worlds (trim levels): Mega (standard in US), Giga, and Tera.
– Standard 19-inch light alloy wheels with unique 155/70 all-season tires. 20-inch light alloy wheels optional.
– No transmission tunnel and low console allows for Slide-through Experience, which benefits urban driving by the ability to exit from the passenger side.

Sustainability.
– Made with sustainable, renewable materials.
+ Instrument panel surround and door trim use fibers from Kenaf plant.
+ Carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) roof panel is made partially with recycled CFRP from manufacturing process of other components
+ 25% of plastic used in interior comprised of recycled materials.
– Dashboard wood trim crafted from responsibly-forested eucalyptus.
– CFRP components are sustainably produced in Moses Lake, WA, USA, where the factory uses hydroelectric power.
– The Leipzig, Germany assembly plant uses wind-generated electricity.
– Olive-leaf extract is used to tan interior leather surfaces.

2. The Ultimate Drive Machine®.
BMW makes the Ultimate Driving Machine, and that holds true for the BMW i3. The hybrid synchronous electric motor, which weighs only 110 lbs., is developed and produced specially by the BMW Group for use in the BMW i3, with maximum revs of 11,400 rpm, generates an output of 170 hp and outputs maximum torque of 184 lb-ft on tap from the moment the car pulls away. That’s propels the 2,700 lb car from 0-30mph in 3.5 seconds, 0-60mph in approximately 7.2 seconds, and to an electronically limited top speed of 93 mph (preliminary USA figures). Much like engine braking with a manual transmission, but even more effective, the accelerator pedal also acts as a brake when the driver lifts off the accelerator.

The BMW i3 features Brake Energy Regeneration, which, when the driver lifts off, the motor acts as a generator and converts the kinetic energy into electricity, which is fed back into the battery for a range gain. This Regeneration is speed-sensitive, which means that the car “coasts” for added efficiency at high speeds, and generates the strong braking effect at lower speeds.

The BMW i3’s accelerator pedal has a distinct “neutral” position. Rather than switching straight to energy Regeneration when the driver eases off the accelerator, the electric motor uses zero torque control to separate from the drivetrain and deploy only the available kinetic energy for propulsion. In this mode, the BMW i3 cruises using virtually no energy at all. This is another way anticipatory driving can preserve energy and increase the car’s range.

The impressive electric motor, small turning circle of 32.3 feet, – a major benefit to driving in the city – BMW’s near-perfect 50-50 weight distribution, precise electric power steering and the stable suspension set-up help to make the i3 as satisfying to drive as every other BMW.

The BMW i3’s tires are a unique 155/70/19 size on 19-inch light-alloy wheels, but the contact patch is the same of that of a more conventional 16-inch tire. To improve efficiency, they have low rolling resistance, and the narrow section width is a key factor in the BMW i3’s super-tight turning radius.

The BMW i3 uses the BMW eDrive rear-wheel drive powertrain previously found on the BMW ActiveE. eDrive offers driving dynamics worthy of the Ultimate Driving Machine name and offers zero tailpipe emission driving. Beyond the traditional immediacy of response offered by electric motors when pulling away, power development in the BMW i3 also remains unbroken through higher speeds. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a single-speed transmission, allowing the BMW i3 to accelerate with an uninterrupted flow of power up to its top speed.

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3. City Friendly: The Future of Urban Mobility.
The BMW i3 marks the introduction of a new type of megacity vehicle. Its small size allows it to easily maneuver and park on city streets, while the car’s short front and rear overhangs make parking in tight spaces much easier. Its sharp turning radius and nimble handling are the perfect match for city driving. In the front, the Slide Through Experience allows the driver to slide through the car and exit on the passenger side, to avoid exiting into a busy city street. This is made possible because of the absence of the transmission tunnel. The coach doors make getting into and out of the car much more practical by eliminating the B pillar and creating one large opening to enter and exit.

Not having to fill up on gas is a big advantage while living in the city due to the lack of gas stations. Since electricity is so readily available, recharging is possible almost anywhere, and practically gives the BMW i3 unlimited range due to being able to charge at any and every stop.

Emission-free driving is also a plus in the city. Cities are so congested with cars idling at red lights or stop and go traffic, so having a car that runs on electricity that doesn’t pollute is another way that the BMW i3 benefits the environment, and its owner.

On a similar note, the navigation system can take traffic conditions into consideration and help route around any areas of large congestion, which is a huge benefit when living in a city with a lot of traffic. It can help maximize efficiency and cut down commute times in order to save you time.

The same navigation system also remembers the owners driving style and can judge by that and the amount of charge left if a route is too long or if a recharge is necessary for the return journey.

4. Design: Aesthetic Appeal with Elegant, Renewable Interior.
The BMW i3 is stretching the definitive envelope of what a conventional car can be and how it should look. Its striking appearance is unique to the BMW i sub-brand while still remaining unmistakably a BMW.

Black Band.
The front end has a clear and simple design. BMW’s iconic kidney grilles headlines the front end with the BMW i blue background. Under the kidney grille, silver layers sculpt the front apron. Contrasting black surfaces identify the functional load compartment under the hood and air inlets. Aerodynamic Air Curtains give an aggressive appearance to the BMW i3, while also helping to increase the range by minimizing air resistance and drag. U-shaped, LED headlights, give a fresh take on the BMW light design and give the car character.

At the rear end, the large rear window gives great visibility and easy access to the trunk. The roof lines are optimized to give as much interior space as possible. The LED U-shaped taillights are housed in the rear window and appear to be floating there.

Stream flow.
The rear diffuser is the lowest point on the car and lends to its aerodynamics. Outlined in blue (not available with Solar Orange Metallic exterior color), the diffuser is shaped to show the BMW i3’s powerful stance.

Thanks to its LifeDrive architecture, the BMW i3 is a new canvas for BMW interior designers. There is no center tunnel taking up space, which creates an open, roomy cabin. The front and rear bench seats allow for easy movement inside the vehicle and even allow the driver to exit through the passenger door if necessary.

All driving controls are ergonomically placed for easy access to the driver. The instrument panel stretches through the whole interior from the air vents next to the steering wheel to just before the passenger door. It encompasses the radio and climate controls as well. The freestanding steering column is a distinctive element in the light interior. All of the driving controls, such as the instrument cluster, start/stop button and gear shift selector can be found there.

The interior, which is put together using a technique known as layering, – which is the utilization of space through the structuring of lines and surfaces into layers – features Next Premium. It is made of high quality renewable raw materials, in the name of sustainability. The driver’s seat is located in a semi-command driving position, set-up higher for a better view of the road. Certain parts of the instrument panel and door panels are made using southern Asia’s Kenaf plant natural fibers to save about 10% weight, while the interior leather is tanned using a natural process that uses olive leaf extract to provide protection against fading and wear while giving a unique look.

Using a magnesium supporting structure for the instrument panel saves weight in two ways. Superior material attributes over conventional sheet steel results in a weight reduction of 20%. Also, the high composite rigidity of the magnesium supporting structure allows a reduction in components and lowers weight by a further 10%.

The wood trim used in the dashboard is crafted from eucalyptus which is grown in Europe and certified as 100% sourced from responsible forestry. As the eucalyptus ages, it darkens and changes color. The location of the crafting was selected carefully to ensure short delivery routes to the production stages.

The Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP), which is produced near Moses Lake, Washington, is made primarily with the use of hydroelectric power, harvested nearby. This is done to minimize the effect that BMW i3 production has on the environment. Since more than 10% of the carbon fiber needed to manufacture the BMW i3 is made from recycled materials, it is another way the BMW i3 is completely sustainable. The roof is made of CFRP scraps to help recycle left over material from other parts.

5. Explore the World: Vehicle Trim Levels.
Due to the unfamiliarity of electric mobility technology in the United States, buying an EV can be a daunting experience for the average customer. BMW sought to make this process as simple as possible in the new BMW i3. The BMW i3 comes in three different worlds: Mega, Giga and Tera, all of which come equipped with a very high level of standard equipment.

The base Mega World comes standard with 19-inch extra-efficient forged aluminum wheels, BMW Navigation, BMW ConnectedDrive with eCall, the BMW i Remote, an alarm, 7.4 kW on board charger and LED headlights, DRLs and tail lights. The interior is donned in bright, lightweight Sensatec and sustainable cloth, which is made from recycled materials. It also features a leather trimmed steering wheel and grained dash trim.

The next level, Giga World, has all the features of the Mega World but with the addition of distinct Giga-specific 19-inch wheels and an interior wrapped in leather and wool cloth. A universal garage door opener is included for easy access to the i3’s BMW i Charging Station, which is usually mounted in the garage. It also has Comfort Access, a sunroof, and satellite radio. The leather-trimmed steering wears contrasting stitching to give a classy, sporty look.

The top-of-the-line Tera World, adds unique 19-inch wheels, a luxurious full leather, olive leaf-tanned interior, with textile accents and contrasting stitching, and anthracite floors mats.

Available for every world is the Technology and Driving assist, and the Parking assist packages. The Technology and Driving Assist package adds a host of convenience and safety technologies to the BMW i3. It includes the wide-screen Navigation Professional with advanced real-time traffic and the new touch pad, Traffic Jam Assist, BMW Assist with Enhanced Bluetooth and USB with BMW Apps, Online Information services, Deceleration Assistant, ACC Stop & Go, Speed Limit info, BMW ConnectedDrive services, Forward Collision Warning, Pedestrian Protection and City Collision Mitigation. The Parking Assist package is ideal for living in the city and includes a rearview camera, Park Assistant, which helps take advantage of tight parallel parking opportunities, and Front Auto Park Distance Control.

The BMW i3 full options list for USA will be released Fall 2013.

6. BMW ConnectedDrive. Mobility services and new driver assistance systems.
BMW ConnectedDrive is the interface between the customer, their car, 360 Electric, and the Premium Mobility Service. Connected mobility is the embodiment of an individual, sustainable, efficient and convenient form of urban mobility. It is a crucial part of the BMW i and urban lifestyle.

An embedded SIM card in the BMW i3 is the key that unlocks the BMW ConnectedDrive services, available to the new electric model. A feature of BMW ConnectedDrive is BMW i Navigation, which can search for a nearby charging station, which should give the driver piece of mind, knowing that there is a station nearby. It can also give a real world range estimate and visualization of the estimate with the SpiderMap, Real Time Traffic Information and plan a route that avoids the traffic as best as possible.

The customer has access to personal assistance from a BMW ConnectedDrive agent at any time of the day or night. Concierge Service can help answer almost any of the driver’s questions. They can recommend restaurants, give information on destinations or guide the driver to the nearest charging station, among other things.

In the unfortunate situation when an accident occurs, Intelligent Emergency Call (“eCall”) sends information like location, number of front-seat occupants, and even crash severity data to the BMW ConnectedDrive Call Center, which quickly informs the appropriate 911-dispatch center.

BMW ConnectedDrive can also connect directly with your iPhone with an original Apple cable that connects to the car and built-in BMW Apps.

The optionally available Driving Assistant Plus for the BMW i3 comprises Collision Warning with brake priming function, which is activated at speeds up to about 35 mph (60 km/h) and is able to respond to both moving and stationary vehicles ahead, as well as to pedestrians. It also comes with Active Cruise Control including Stop & Go function. In addition to visual and audible warnings, the system is capable of braking the vehicle by itself, if required, with up to maximum stopping power. The Parking Assistant can also be found on the option list and performs the steering maneuvers at the same time as controlling accelerator, brake and gear selection, enabling fully automated parallel parking. Another handy optional extra is the Traffic Jam Assistant that allows drivers to delegate the tasks of pulling away, braking and steering to keep the vehicle in lane. Meanwhile, the Speed Limit Info system is also offered.

7. 360 Electric: Support and Convenience for Electric Mobility.
Electric cars differ drastically from their gas-powered counterparts, and the 360 Electric features further that differential. All of the 360 Electric features help to ensure convenient electro mobility in most situations.

If the BMW i3 buyer has a private parking space at their home, BMW i will offer a home charging station, which includes a BMW i charging station for convenient charging. They will even send a representative to install it to any specific need. 360 Electric will also help with public charging by locating the nearest station.

As part of 360 Electric, the BMW i Remote app links to your car and can monitor its battery level, charging status and other charging-related functions, such as heating and air conditioning. The app can also give the cars location, lock or unlock the doors, honk the horn, or flash the lights.

Before driving away in the BMW i3, it is recommended to precondition that battery to the preferred operating temperature of between 60 – 70 degrees Fahrenheit to optimize range. Battery temperature may be monitored through the iDrive system. The battery liquid cooling system keeps the battery at the ideal operating temperature which increases performance and life expectancy. Battery condition is controlled and operated in harmony by the intelligent energy management system. This, combined with Brake Energy Regeneration system extends the vehicle’s range while enhancing its performance.

The Range Assistant is engaged both for route planning and during journeys already under way. Topographical mapping technology helps find the most efficient route to your destination by calculating distance, elevation and other factors, in order to get the best range from your BMW i3. If the destination is beyond the cars range, it can suggest switching to ECO PRO or ECO PRO+ to get more from the battery’s charge.

In the unlikely circumstance of a breakdown, the BMW Assist Safety Plan provides contact with a Response Specialist at the touch of a button.

BMW Assist also introduces Navigation services specially-developed to enhance electric mobility alongside familiar features including the Concierge Services information facility and the intelligent BMW Assist eCall. Moreover, drivers may use the BMW i Remote app to share information with their car using a smartphone. The pedestrian navigation function guides the driver from parking place to their final destination and back.

8. Safety: Always a true BMW.
From an efficiency standpoint, the body of the BMW i3 needs to be not only strong but, above all, light. However, from a safety point of view, it has to be not only light but, above all, strong. This apparent conflict of interests highlights the engineers’ pioneering work in developing the vehicle architecture of the BMW i3. Here, there is no contradiction between lightweight construction and safety. Quite the opposite, in fact: the LifeDrive concept of the BMW i3, with its combination of aluminum and carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP), is on a par with other structures and even performs better in some areas of crash testing despite its lightweight design. The use of CFRP essentially allows the construction of extremely lightweight bodies. Moreover, CFRP possesses an impressive ability to absorb energy and is extremely damage-tolerant. CFRP is the lightest material that can be used in the construction of car bodies without compromising on safety.

The LifeDrive concept is based around two horizontally separate independent modules. The Drive module – the aluminum chassis – gives the car its high-strength foundations and integrates the battery and drive system into a single structure. The Life module, meanwhile, consists principally of a high-strength and extremely lightweight passenger compartment made from CFRP. With this innovative concept, the BMW Group takes the combination of lightweight design, vehicle architecture and crash safety to an entirely new dimension.

LifeDrive module offers tremendous safety.
The crash requirements in automotive manufacture are very strict. Numerous impact criteria stipulated by the stringent guidelines of global consumer protection organizations and legislators have to be taken into account. During the development of the BMW i3 concept, there was close consultation with the international crash test institutes on the innovative car body and safety concept of the BMW i models.

The high-strength passenger compartment teams up with the intelligent distribution of forces within the LifeDrive module to provide the cornerstones for optimum occupant protection. Even after the structurally-debilitating offset front crash at 64 km/h (40 mph), the extremely rigid material maintains an intact survival space for passengers. The crash-activated aluminum structures at the front and rear end of the Drive module provide additional safety, so that less body deformation occurs compared with comparable steel bodies. Furthermore, the “cocoon effect” of the CFRP car body ensures that the doors can be opened without any problem and the interior remains largely free of any intrusions.

Even rescue scenarios have been worked through and checked. In standard cutting tests, the process of rescuing occupants from a BMW i3 involved in an accident was comparable to that for a conventional vehicle. In some respects, indeed, it was more straightforward since the lighter components can be more easily cut than high-strength steels, for example.

Impressive rigidity, combined with its ability to absorb an enormous amount of energy, makes CFRP extremely damage-tolerant. Even at high impact speeds it displays barely any deformation. As in a Formula One cockpit, this exceptionally stiff material provides an extremely strong survival space. Furthermore, the body remains intact in a front or rear-on impact, and the doors still open without a problem after a crash.

In its dry, resin-free state CFRP can be worked almost like a textile, and as such allows a high degree of flexibility in how it is shaped. The composite only gains its rigid, final form after the resin injected into the lattice has hardened. This makes it at least as durable as steel, but it is much more lightweight.

The high tear resistance along the length of the fibers also allows CFRP components to be given a high-strength design by following their direction of loading. To this end, the fibers are arranged within the component according to their load characteristics. By overlaying the fiber alignment, components can also be strengthened against load in several different directions. In this way, the components can be given a significantly more efficient and effective design than is possible with any other material that is equally durable in all directions – such as metal. This, in turn, allows further reductions in terms of both material use and weight, leading to another new wave of savings potential. The lower accelerated mass in the event of a crash means that energy-absorbing structures can be scaled back, cutting the weight of the vehicle.

Superior protection in a side impact.
The ability of CFRP to absorb energy is truly extraordinary. Pole impacts and side-on collisions both highlight the impressive safety-enhancing properties of CFRP. Despite the heavy, in some cases concentrated forces, the material barely sustains a dent, and passengers enjoy nearly unbeatable protection. All of which makes CFRP perfectly suited for use in a vehicle’s flanks, where every centimeter of undamaged interior is invaluable. However, there are limits to what CFRP can endure. If the forces applied go beyond the limits of the material’s strength, the composite of fibers breaks up into its individual components in a controlled process.

In the Euro NCAP side impact test, in which a pole strikes the side of the vehicle dead-center at 32 km/h (20 mph), the carbon fiber composite also demonstrates its extraordinary energy-absorbing capacity. The Life module absorbs the entire impact with minimal deformation, guaranteeing optimum passenger protection. Even as CFRP dissipates energy, danger to passengers or other road users is substantially mitigated.

The best of both worlds: combining aluminum and CFRP.
The new Drive module has also been carefully designed and structured with these exacting crash requirements in mind. Crash-active aluminum structures in the front and rear sections of the vehicle provide additional safety. In a front or rear-on collision, these absorb a large proportion of the energy generated. The battery, meanwhile, is mounted in the underbody section of the car to give it the best possible degree of protection. Statistically, this is the area that absorbs the least energy in the event of a crash, and the vehicle shows barely any deformation here as a result. Moreover, positioning the battery in the underbody allows the BMW Group development engineers to give the vehicle an ideal low center of gravity, which makes it extremely agile and unlikely to roll over.

The high-voltage battery also benefits from the excellent deformation properties of the CFRP Life module. In the side crash test, the pole does not penetrate as far as the battery. The mix of materials used and the intelligent power distribution in the LifeDrive module ensure that the high-voltage battery is optimally protected even in the side sill area.

All in all, the high-strength CFRP passenger cell teams up with the intelligent distribution of forces in the LifeDrive module to lay the foundations for optimum occupant protection.

Post-crash notification.
In the unfortunate situation when an accident occurs, Intelligent Emergency Call (“eCall”) sends information like location, number of front-seat occupants, and even crash severity data to the BMW ConnectedDrive Call Center, which quickly informs the appropriate 911-dispatch center.

Lithium-ion batteries are safe even in the event of a fire.
Safety is a key criterion in the development of the BMW i models. A range of systems and measures have been implemented in the vehicle that ensure safety in normal operation and in the event of accidental fires. The high-voltage system is designed to cope with accidents beyond the legal requirements, with the high-voltage battery including features that ensure its safe reaction even in situations such as this.

The latest series of tests conducted by the renowned DEKRA E-Mobility Competence Center were extremely extensive – ranging from how a car might catch fire, how the flames might spread and what would be required to extinguish the fire, to the pollution caused by run-off of the water used for fighting the fire. The experts concluded that electric and hybrid cars with lithium-ion drive system batteries are at least as safe as vehicles with conventional drive systems in the event of fire.

To ensure maximum safety in such a crash scenario, the high-voltage battery is disconnected from the high-voltage system and the connected components discharged when the passenger restraint systems are triggered. This safely prevents the possibility of a short circuit, which could lead to electric shocks or cause a fire.

68 Comments

  1. dave r says:

    Well this is dumb. The added weight and cost of the gas engine, gas tank, etc could have added 30 miles more range in battery without even adding nearly the weight of the gasoline components. This is just dumb. They could have cornered the low cost EV market with a 130 mile range vehicle, but NO!!!

    We have a 2013 Leaf…more range is always welcome but comes at a cost. Giving people more battery than they need is dumb. They ought to offer the same vehicle in a variety of range options but keep it all electric, and maybe also allow later additions of range extending packs that raise the rear floor say and additional 3 or 4 inches but add 40 more miles for $7k more? Why not?

  2. barryb says:

    use the carbon bodywork to build a roofed bike with a decent sized engine or electric motor – that is the future, albeit one tried by bmw on a smaller scale

  3. Provologna says:

    Naming things with the prefix “i” in homage to Apple, one of the f’d up companies on earth (pay little to nothing in US taxes, slave labor in Asia, paid off Obama to ignore international trade and patent law…) is the definition of excrement.

    • Keyser Soze says:

      Wow. Talk about a rant. You claim that Apple paid off Obama to ignore international trade and patent law? I’m pretty sure that is wrong on two counts. I doubt if Apple paid Obama a single cent, unless by chance it was prepaid by way of previous campaign contributions, which would not have carried any sort of guarantee of reward after the fact. And even if Apple had contributed to Obama’s campaign, it would have been only the limited amount permitted by law, which is to say, not enough to permit any one company or person to unduly influence the outcome of an election or anything else. The part that is misinformed about international trade and patent law. That’s wrong for several reasons, because, for starters, international law only ever goes as far as the individual nations commit via trade agreements and so forth. So unless there was ever a law passed by the USA to agree to defer to the ITC, there is no violation of law. The ITC simply got too big for its own britches, and besides, the only reason that Samsung even took their case to the ITC was retaliation for being sued by Apple over Samsung’s flagrant theft of Apple’s designs. This isn’t even something that is debatable. Samsung’s smartphone designs changed dramatically, shortly after the iPhone came out. It was a FLAGRANT theft of designs that were in true fact protected by design patents within the USA and elsewhere. Samsung ripped Apple off, blatantly, and it is prima facie obvious that they did. They refused to admit it, and refused to pay the fines that were lawfully awarded, and instead, they took legal action against Apple for Apple’s use of Samsung technical patents that were very obviously included in the fair use laws, for technology that is essential for a phone to operate in certain networks. Bottom line: you clearly do not have any idea what you are talking about.

  4. proheli says:

    This was just an add right?. How much were you guys paid to run this… On Ducati.ms there are Mazda ads everywhere. It makes me want to promise NEVER to purchase a mazda. The ramifications of the article are interesting, but it reads like an add because it is just an ad.

    • Provologna says:

      I have to agree. The US-GM made Chevy Volt gets little to no notice here. The only justification for this marketing drivel posted above is that it’s from a car company that also makes bikes. Woopee.

      The Chevy Volt seems far higher value and better priced that this car.

      Give GM some love too, MD!

  5. BulletBob says:

    If you don’t understand the impact of this vehicle then you really don’t have a good grip on what the world’s “actual” oil reserves are. You also probably have a home phone.

  6. TimZ says:

    Sweet bleeding wheels!

    This is a shot across the bows of conventional transport – and if you cannot see the future embedded in this story, the fact that a large manufacturer of sports-oriented transport has warned global markets regarding their future goals, then you should try to see a little further down the road.

    Try to move away from mere commentary regarding this design, your current transport and your sports needs and think very seriously about the world you or your children will inhabit twenty years from now.

    This company may be looking a lot further than you can see. What happens when all the motorcycle producers and all the car companies and all the concerned governments start to actually examine and agree with the future this story foreshadows?

    You, and the motorcycling world, have been warned.

    • mickey says:

      Kind of melodramatic wouldn’t you say? That would look good on a sandwich board.

      When I was in grade school, in the 4 th grade, around 1959, we were shown movies of how our lives would be different in the future. They showed us movies produced by the automakers of cars that were solar powered, and electric powered that were guided by wires in the ground, and hovercraft vehicles. We were promised a life free of the dependance on oil. As I became an adult, Carter told us this, Reagan told us this, Bush 1 told us this, Clinton told us this, Bush 2 told us this and Obama has told us this. I’m soon to be 64, and still driving the only true viable means of transport, the gas powered automobile and motorcycle. My grand daughter starts driving next year and if she wants to go any further than 30 miles from home she will still depend on gas…and I ‘m betting she will 20 years from now.

      What you say is true, someday we will be driving electric vehicles, maybe in my grand daughters, granddaughters lifetime.

      • DaytonaJames says:

        You naysayers all slay me… I hate the term ‘think outside the box’ but you’ve got to think beyond what you know and use your imagination. Imagine if you will, a world not threatened by the highest and most dangerous levels of CO2 in the atmosphere. Imagine not worrying about whether your children will be able to breathe every day without the use of supplemental oxygen and air filters – we’re closer than you think. Imagine technologies refined by early adopter companies like BMW that develop into new forms of transportation without the need for oil… the greatest scourge to affect not only humanity, but every living species on the planet. And before you jump down my throat and obviate the coal that is burned during electrical generation, go a step further and imagine other forms of generation to fill that gap. We don’t just need a wee diversion from our current direction of energy use, we need to rewrite the book. Rememner when Kennedy challenged the US to get a man on the moon by 1969? We need to dig even deep to rise to the even greater challenge of a new energy age.
        Bravo BMW… I salute you. I just wish more people would wake up and embrace a new vision of the future. One with health instead of wealth as the most important criteria.

      • DaytonaJames says:

        You naysayers all slay me… I hate the term ‘think outside the box’ but you’ve got to think beyond what you know and use your imagination. Imagine if you will, a world not threatened by the highest and most dangerous levels of CO2 in the atmosphere. Imagine not worrying about whether your children will be able to breathe every day without the use of supplemental oxygen and air filters – we’re closer than you think. Imagine technologies refined by early adopter companies like BMW that develop into new forms of transportation without the need for oil… the greatest scourge to affect not only humanity, but every living species on the planet. And before you jump down my throat and obviate the coal that is burned during electrical generation, go a step further and imagine other forms of generation to fill that gap. We don’t just need a wee diversion from our current direction of energy use, we need to rewrite the book. Remember when Kennedy challenged the US to get a man on the moon by 1969? We need to dig even deeper to rise to the even greater challenge of a new energy age.
        Bravo BMW… I salute you. I just wish more people would wake up and embrace a new vision of our energy future. One with health instead of wealth as the most important criteria.

  7. Timothy Beal says:

    Why should I care about this car? I should not, it’s just another cage! A non-motorcycle I DO care about is the Toyota i-Road. Now THAT is interesting to a motorcyclist!
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVLMX72bMD0
    Timothy in Seattle

  8. hrembe says:

    I have far less interest in 4 wheeled EVs then my nonexistent interest in 2 wheeled electric scooters. If “green” is the goal develope hydrogen IC.

  9. Charlie says:

    I’m a motorcyclist & I don’t give a big rats’ ass about a $41,000 BMW Prius!

  10. Marshall says:

    >> i3 – who cares.

    It’s the first production vehicle that’s truly being mass produced using CFRP. This probably will cause a huge revolution in auto body design that will trickle down to motorcycles too. I myself am looking forward to higher performance and greater efficiency. Like Commentor “Dave” stated, this is something that RMI and Amory Lovins have been proposing for more than a decade. Good to finally see this coming to a show room near me.

    >> $41K – too much

    Not for what’s on offer – CFRP, 100 mi. all-electric range. It’s an amazing value.

    Kudos to BMW for designing it and thanks Dirck for bringing it to my attention!

    • Provologna says:

      If this cage for $41k is “amazing value” then what do you call the Volt for $10k less?

  11. Jeremy in TX says:

    I came. I saw. I care not.

  12. dabimf says:

    Ok, $41k price tag. Can’t go very far. Can’t carry many people. The owners will most likely be taxed (California) for road use taxes it is not paying for at the pumps. What is not to like?

  13. randy says:

    Where was the part about why motorcyclists should care about this CAR?

    • todd says:

      because it’ll be one more idiot driving while using their phone you need to watch out for.

  14. Michael H says:

    Say we were all driving around in electric cars with their high cost, short range, toxic batteries and random conflagrations. And then some Edison-like genius says “I have invented gasoline. It will let your car travel farther on one fill-up, go faster and be really fun do drive! And with proper controls you’ll get ginormous horsepower plus great fuel mileage, and you won’t pollute the air! Plus, we can make the stuff form goo that comes from underground in nearly limitless supply! And your cars will carry more and cost about half as much!”

    We’d run away from electric cars as fast as we could. Nothing is as cost efficient as the internal combustion gasoline/diesel engine.

    • Colors says:

      I concur. I don’t understand why the civilized world is developing such a distaste for maybe the most useful invention of the 20th century.

      • Starmag says:

        From Peter Egan’s first story, after pushing his Norton (shocking, I know) across town 2 miles to a freight station to send it home with a bent valve : “I found new respect for the latent energy in a cup of gasoline”.

  15. joe b says:

    isn’t this just another Volt?

  16. randy says:

    “Why motorcyclists should care about the i3”. Uh, did I miss something? I didn’t see where motorcyclists should care.

  17. Starmag says:

    Nice try at extra revenue but there are car sites for this sort of thing. Please don’t ruin my favorite MOTORCYCLE site. What’s next, politics and religion?

    • Klaus says:

      Right. After reading the whole article I asked myself: “Why should I care about this i3?”

  18. Martin B says:

    Nice to know that the designer of the much maligned Pontiac Aztec can still find work…

  19. Mr D says:

    The electric rigs are coming along nicely, but I could commute for 2 months with my ’72 F-250 on one monthly payment.(for a 40k puddle jumping BMW) Not really green thinking, but I know it, I can fix it, and if it dies on the side of the road I can diagnose with my ears, eyes, and a little common sense. No laptop required. I also wonder if this thing could handle a trailer to tow your Zero to the track?

  20. Dave says:

    This (carbon fiber frame/bodywork for automobiles) is what the Rocky Mountain Institute has been advocating for some time (http://www.rmi.org/impact_driving_a_clean_future_with_ultralight_autos). I applaud BMW’s effort but see this as more of a concept than production reality.

    What is really needed (for both the 4 and 2-wheel EV crowd) is an international standardization on battery modules so modules can be quickly/easily swapped out at ubiquitous stations. Give up on all this old-think “gotta fill up the tank” regular/quick recharging stuff. The future adoption of EV is so obviously battery module swapping (just like gas barbeque grills) that delay in standardization (and work on various recharging methods/connections) is counterproductive.

  21. Right, Said Fred says:

    I like the Tango better. I don’t care that a BMW is plastic/carbon. I have a bike that is plastic already, that costs 1/10th the price.

  22. Austin ZZR 1200 says:

    Just one milestone on the way to more sustainable transportation. I’m all for it. Let the early adopters subsidize the development so it trickles down faster to the rest of us. In 5 years, we will see similar vehicles selling for 20K. The we all can trade in our Civics.

  23. Gary says:

    “True sustainable mobility” requires an on-board, gas-powered generator??!! Thanks for the belly laugh.

  24. jim says:

    155/70/19 caught my eye

  25. joe says:

    but can i split lanes with this thing?

  26. Klaus says:

    The “Range Extender” – I’m sure you’ll regret it if you decide not to buy it – is a 330 lbs 650cc gas engine that makes 34 hp and costs an extra $4,000. Why not make it a permanent hybrid? Why not use the 800cc twin from the F that makes 85 hp and dump the 450 lbs battery and all the electric gizmos?
    Things don’t really add up for me. I could buy a small car and save $20,000 which buys me a lot of gas.
    Volkswagen built a lightweight Lupo (small car) with a turbocharged 1.2L three cylinder diesel engine that uses only 3l/100km (80 mpg). No charging, no heavy batteries, no short ranges; gas it up anywhere and go – that’s economical and green!

  27. mickey says:

    Glad they are working on such things…my children might see the benefit..or my grandchildren, which are just becoming driving age. . At 63 doubt I’d drive enough to make this viable for me. My 40 mpg $17,000 Civic does a great job now pretty economically. I could buy a lot of gas for the $ 23,000 price difference..at todays gas price, around 320,000 miles worth if I figure correctly. I’d never be able to drive that far before they scatter my ashes in Montana per my request. At any rate I guess it’s inevitable that these things become commonplace. And to think 50 years ago, they promised us a Jetson Mobile by now.

  28. MGNorge says:

    This brand doesn’t come cheap no matter the product they produce. Add to that their maintenance costs down the road can be substantially higher than some other brands and I start to look elsewhere.

  29. endoman38 says:

    They evidently weren’t “forward thinking” enough when they bought Husqvarna and entered WSB.

  30. Willy says:

    At $40G+, this is nothing but a toy for the well-to-do.
    BFD.

    • Norm G. says:

      if you think $40K is bad…? you really aren’t going to like the arrival of the i8.

    • Gary says:

      Go price a Chevy Volt, they retail for around 40K too and only go a miserable 35 miles (at best) on a charge. They also have an engine that will charge the batteries in case they go low, and on the gas engine will deliver an unbelievable 40 MPG…. whoopie

  31. John A. Kuzmenko says:

    As for looks, it’s an enviro-crap-box on skinny wheels.

    This is what you buy if you’ve got the money (credit) and have been brainwashed by the environmental propaganda floating around since 1970.

    • Norm G. says:

      I suppose if you’re inclined, you could become a “Muskaphile” and drop $70 grand on a Model S…? as the cool kids say, then you’re “big pimpin”. 🙂

  32. Gutterslob says:

    I say BMW will abandon this platform in the next ‘realignment’, where they’ll announce a move into the 3D-printing space.

  33. Bryan W. says:

    Yes it is expensive @ $42K or $32K after tax incentives, but it gives great MPGe and requires no maintenance. That plus the fact that I would never have to visit a gas station unless I wanted to is really important to me.

    While I won’t get the BMW I have ordered the Honda FIT. Currently my wife spends about $300 per month on gas and about $250 per month on maintenance for her Acura CL Type S. The Honda is $282 per month including liability and collision ins. Plus it comes with a Level II charger. We have solar on the roof and it is actually over sized for our current needs. I planned for additional usage when we got it.

    If it works out I may replace my DL650 with an EV as well.

    • Willy says:

      “$250 per month on maintenance for her Acura CL Type S.”
      ?

      Better sell it!

      • mickey says:

        That does sound exorbitant…. $250 a month for maintenance? I have a Civic, my wife has an Accord, and we have a Ridgeline and 2 Honda motorcycles and I guarantee you I don’t spend $250 a month on maintenance for all 5 put together. Heck, thats nearly 3 grand a year she’s spending just on maintenance.

        • Bryan W. says:

          Yeah, in the last year we have had to replace front CV joints and bushings. We just had the 125K mile service to the tune of about $1200 and was just as expensive as last year’s servicing. With the miles she drives we change the oil constantly and after the quickie Lube left the drain plug loose she won’t go back.

          The blasted tires are $1000 a set, special low profile and high speed ratings. This isn’t a Honda Civic it is a Type S so that means everything is more.

  34. Colors says:

    This is all well and good and I like seeing the advancement of manufacturing and materials… but until liquid fuel costs me more than 20% of my monthly income, I’ll take an internal combustion engine. Plastic is nice for microwaving my lunch but I like my auto’s to be made of metal. I know this doesn’t make me green but I prefer to leave that to Kermit. Hurray for everyone that does throw they’re coin at these kitchen appliances on wheels though, the more of them they buy the the longer I’ll have petrolium to burn.

  35. Norm G. says:

    re: “Is $10000 depreciation in the first couple of years of ownership a good guess?”

    prolly a great guess. unless of course another “arab spring” occurs somewhere and spikes the price of crude.

    re: “How is this car viable?”

    because it’s green. or more specifically because “green” is no different than the 10,000 other reasons people pay MORE for a vehicle. for some it’s because it wears a funny logo that many think is a propeller (but actually isn’t)…? others because it’s adorned with a 3 pointed star…? others still because it’s American made and has 5xx hp/5xx torque. truth is novelty has supplanted practicality as the main “driver” of vehicle sales decades ago.

    • mickey says:

      Got that right Norm. We don’t buy things that are practical we buy things cause they please us ( like motorcycles for example)

  36. Michael H says:

    More plug-in cars are exactly what America needs as our government plans to close down coal powered electric plants that produce about 40% of our electricity.

  37. Norm G. says:

    well isn’t this special…? 🙂 (dana carvey, church lady voice)

  38. Kent says:

    I think it’s great that there are more and more real electric cars, rather than some of the janky homebrew stuff being sold. For some people, this really makes sense.

    “Not having to fill up on gas is a big advantage while living in the city due to the lack of gas stations. Since electricity is so readily available, recharging is possible almost anywhere, and practically gives the BMW i3 unlimited range due to being able to charge at any and every stop.”

    I disagree with this part of the press release. I have a bunch of friends who live in San Francisco. Only a small minority of them have off street parking in an assigned space (5%?), yet there’s a gas station every 100 yards. I don’t buy gas in SF, but it would never be a problem finding it.
    You obviously wouldn’t buy this unless you had a dedicated secure parking spot with 220v (which probably means you own a house with a garage) or could charge at work.

  39. John says:

    I think I’ll buy a bigger 40mpg car for $20k, but thanks.

  40. Bud says:

    Base MSRP of $41,350. Optioned up, with the gas charging engine, say 45K?

    Is $10000 depreciation in the first couple of years of ownership a good guess? I spend about $2K a year on gas…

    How is this car viable?

    I do have to admit that the charge times are impressive, though.

    • RichBinAZ says:

      I stopped reading when I saw the $41K price tag. I was going to write more, but why bother…

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