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Tuesday, 17 December, 2013 12:58 PM
First
drive of the 2015 BMW i3 electric sedan at 2013 Los Angeles Auto
Show
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
The
2014 BMW i3 electric vehicle holds 22 kWh of power, 38 percent
more than the Chevrolet Volt.
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LOS
ANGELES -- I had the rare opportunity to test drive a 2015
BMW i3 during the press days of the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show.
This modernistic electric sedan was definitely turning heads on
the streets of downtown Los Angeles. I really like the new BMW i3
electric sedan for many reasons. First, the design inside and out.
Secondly, the drive is smooth and quick to accelerate. Third, it
reduces our footprint on foreign oil since it is an EV. However,
if you take your foot off the gas pedal, the vehicle automatically
begins to slow down and regenerate power. Coasting is not possible
in the BMW i3 like you would be able to do in a gasoline-powered
vehicle.
"It
has a new architecture, it's called LifeDrive," said Jose Guerrero,
BMW i Product Manager. "Life being the passenger compartment
all made from carbon fiber-reinforced plastics and the drive module
being made from aluminum. The interior is made from Next Premium
Design. That's a tagline we use to really describes the use of layering
and a simplistic design using materials more of a substainable and
renewable focus. Everything is tastefully done. We have open-pour
eucalyptus wood on the dash panel, we use KENAF fibers for the door
panels and the dash, which is a recycled renewable source. We also
have olive tanned leaf interior. Instead of using formaldehyde,
we're using olive leaves to obtain the interior with the leathers."
The BMW
i3 is a pure electric vehicle that comes with a 22-kWh lithium ion
battery that achieves 80 to 100 miles of driving range. It can be
charged in just three hours using a 240-volt power source. The electric
sedan can also be charged to 80 percent capacity in about 20 minutes
using a DC fast charge system.
"It's
completely unique, especially in the small premium segment,"
Guerrero added. "Compared to the non-premium competitors, this
has the ingredients of the Ultimate Driving Machine, has the low
center of gravity, 50-50 weight distribution and it's a blast to
drive. It's worthy of the BMW emblem on it and we're really excited.
For us, driving is believing. We have the cars outside. Please take
a spin and enjoy it."
To
me, the BMW i3 looks more like a crossover vehicle or an SUV than
it does a sedan. The German-based automaker is calling it the world's
first mass-produced carbon fiber electric vehicle. The carbon fiber
is made at BMW's plant in Moses Lake, Wa. from hydroelectric power.
Final assembly of the i3 takes place in Leipzig, Germany.
"The
focus is on sustainability and renewable energy," the BMW i
Product Manager explained. "We're not limited in quantities.
We're taking customer orders and ready to do real volume. There's
going to be a lease option. We haven't announced the pricing yet.
However, the base i3 without any federal, local or state incentives
will be $41,350. Especially here in California, we're going to take
about $10,000 off that. It comes in at a very attractive price of
the low 30's."
Related
Stories: PREVIEW:
2015 Volkswagen e-Golf and 2015 MINI Cooper make up two of 50-plus
debuts coming to 2013 L.A. Auto Show; All-New
2015 Lincoln MKC provides Fresh Choice for Small Premium Utility
customers; New
2014 Fiat 500 “1957 Edition” Highlights 57 Years of
the Legendary Icon; Ford
debuts the Edge Concept at 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show; Honda
shows off FCEV Concept at 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show; Toyota
discusses teen driving safety at 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show;
Honda
Accord wins 2014 Green Car of the Year Award at L.A. Auto Show;
Hyundai
introduces Tucson FCEV and Veloster Turbo R Spec at 2013 L.A. Auto
Show; Infiniti
reveals the Q30 Concept at 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show; Volvo
debuts the 2015 V60 sportswagon at 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show;
Chevrolet
shows off the 2015 Colorado midsize pickup truck at 2013 L.A. Auto
Show; KIA
enters the luxury sedan market with introduction of the 2015 K900
at L.A. Auto Show; 2014
MINI Cooper hardtop introduced at 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show;
2014
Jeep Cherokee replaces the Liberty in the automaker's line-up
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PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
BMW
i charging station
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
The
BMW i3 is very futuristic in design
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
The
i3 produces 170 hp and 184 lb.-ft. of torque
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
The
second row of seats features room for two with cupholders
in between
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| PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
Two
displays on the dashboard
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PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / ©AMERICAJR.com |
The
center LCD screen features your navigation and
more
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