BMW's "i" Brand Finally Kicks Off in Earnest | BMW
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Public Debut at Tokyo Motor Show
BMW's 'i' Brand Finally Gets Serious
Ahead of the "Tokyo Motor Show" held at the end of this month, BMW has unveiled its first production models of the electric vehicle "i3" and the plug-in hybrid sports car "i8" in Japan for the first time.Tokyo Motor Showin Japan for the first time.Production Electric Vehicle "i3"andPlug-in Hybrid Sports Car "i8"The production models of the plug-in hybrid sports car "i8" were unveiled in Japan for the first time.
Text by AKIZUKI Shinichiro (OPENERS)
i3 Deliveries Begin in April, i8 After Summer
The stars of the BMW booth at the Tokyo Motor Show, opening November 22nd, are two premium cars focused on sustainability: the electric vehicle "i3" and the plug-in hybrid sports car "i8". These two models were revealed ahead of the show's opening.
The i3, developed as the brand's first mass-produced electric vehicle, is designed with a clear separation of roles between its carbon-fiber passenger cell and aluminum chassis, resulting in an exceptionally light curb weight of 1,195 kg.
The car is powered by an electric motor producing 125 kW (170 hp) and 250 Nm of torque, offering a range of 130-160 km for daily use. With the optional range extender, equipped with a two-cylinder gasoline engine, the range can be extended to 300 km. Sales in Japan will commence on April 5th next year, with prices starting at 4.99 million yen for the standard model and 5.46 million yen for the range-extended version, including 8% consumption tax.
The "i8," as its appearance suggests, is BMW's new generation sports car designed for both zero-emission urban driving and sporty highway performance. It employs a plug-in hybrid system combining a 170 kW (231 hp) three-cylinder gasoline turbo engine with a 96 kW (131 hp) electric motor.
With a rapid 0-100 km/h acceleration in just 4.4 seconds, it achieves an average fuel consumption of 2.5 liters per 100 km and CO2 emissions of 59 g/km, offering performance comparable to a high-performance sports car while matching the fuel efficiency and emissions of a compact car. The price in Japan is set at 19.17 million yen, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the summer of 2014.
World Premiere: 4 Series Convertible
The Tokyo Motor Show, opening November 22nd, will host the world premiere of BMW's new coupe, reborn as the "4 Series," which is a successor to the "3 Series Coupe." Also making its debut will be the open-top version of this new coupe.4 SeriesThe "4 Series Convertible" inherits the stylish proportions of the 4 Series Coupe, including its wide kidney grille and minimized overhangs. Like the 3 Series Convertible, it features an electric metal roof.4 Series ConvertibleThe "4 Series Convertible" inherits the stylish proportions of the 4 Series Coupe, including its wide kidney grille and minimized overhangs. Like the 3 Series Convertible, it features an electric metal roof.
The lineup will include the "435i Convertible" as the top model, with engines ranging from inline-six gasoline and four-cylinder gasoline to four-cylinder diesel, offering power outputs from 135 kW (184 hp) to 225 kW (306 hp).
Additionally, the high-performance version of the 4 Series, the "Concept M4 Coupe," which debuted at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California last August, will also be introduced to Japan.Concept M4 CoupeOf course, the recently announced new "X5" will also be on display.The "X5," for which sales in Japan have just been announcedwill also be present at the venue.
BMW Concept M4 Coupe