The BMW i-series will come to the U.S. in 2013. 07/13/2011
Earlier this year, BMW announced that it will begin selling the i-series, a new sub-brand that will be specifically made up of electric vehicles (EVs). The German automaker's effort to break into the EV market began in 2007 with the Mini E, according to the Los Angeles Times.
At the 2011 New York International Auto Show, BMW showcased the ActiveE production car, which will make its way to America this fall for long-term consumer testing, according to CNET. The vehicle is based on the 1-series, and its lithium-ion battery delivers 170 horsepower and can get up to 60 miles per hour (mph) in less than nine seconds. The news source reports that this acceleration is just slightly more than the Nissan Leaf, which climbs to 60 mph in about seven seconds.
In 2013, BMW plans to introduce two new EVs to the American market - the i3 and the i8, a hybrid model. Both new cars will be built with carbon fiber reinforced frames that make them lighter and can lower production costs, the savings from which could be passed onto consumers. The vehicles will retain the luxury car quality for which BMW is known, while reducing emissions and gas consumption.
The engine of the i3 will have smaller dimensions and weigh much less than a combustion engine, which can increase the EV's driving range, improve sustainability and allow for more interior space. The new car will also include technology that actively decelerates the vehicle when the driver's foot leaves the accelerator, which the automaker claims will increase the i3's battery range by as much as 20 percent.