The BMW i3 Concept Coupe - The Future Is Now

For a peek at BMW's sustainability efforts, look no further than the German carmaker's efficient dynamics initiatives and the BMW i3 concept coupe.

There were no speeches, tears of joy, or agents and co-stars to thank, but no matter - the BMW i3 Concept Coupe stole the spotlight as one of BMW Group's stellar cast of sustainable cool cars at the LA Auto Show late last year. And auto enthusiasts could not get enough of the German marque's sleek, revolutionary automotive masterpiece.

So cool, it’s hot

The BMW i3 Concept Coupe is an uncompromisingly sustainable vehicle that runs on clean, renewable electric power, designed purely for the urban driver. BMW Group, the world's most sustainable automotive company for the eighth consecutive year [Dow Jones Sustainability Index], has done it again. Purpose-built to meet the demands of sustainable and emission-free mobility, the BMW i3 Concept Coupe embodies state of the art urban transportation and zero-emission commuting.

The BMW i3 Concept Coupe is an uncompromisingly sustainable vehicle that runs on clean, renewable electric power, designed purely for the urban driver.

Ready for series production this year, BMW Group's first-ever all-electric model employs the design idiom created specially for BMW i cars. The carbon fiber body makes a powerful visual statement with its flowing coupe roofline, i “stream flow" side-window styling and aerodynamic design.

Participants at the LA show were even more impressed when they climbed into the BMW i3 Concept Coupe. On the inside, BMW's typical sense of spaciousness is combined with an exclusive lounge-style ambience in the two individual rear seats and enlarged windows - the sense of space and brightness is purposefully designed to enhance the passenger experience. The world's most sustainable electric vehicle is the first fully networked automobile on the market, too. Thanks to BMW's innovative ConnectedDrive technology, the BMW i series' navigation system; as well as the information transfer flow between the vehicle, the outside world and the driver's smartphone; has been designed for optimum e-mobility. By using the BMW ConnectedDrive remote app, available for iOS and Android, the driver can access all the vehicle data and route information from a smartphone at anytime, anywhere.

Made not just for "tree-huggers", the BMW i3 coupe puts out an impressive 250Nm of 'torque from its all-electric motor.

Sustainable urban mobility

The BMW i3 Concept Coupe's eDrive technology, comprising an extremely agile electric motor developed and built by BMW, innovative battery technology and an intelligent engine management system, makes the vehicle a joy to drive. The electric motor, sited over the rear axle which generates 125kW/170hp and impressive 250Nm of torque from a standstill, and the car's small turning circle combine to deliver a pleasantly dynamic driving experience. The BMW i3 Concept Coupe accelerates from zero to 60km/h in under four seconds, and from rest to 100km/h in less than eight seconds.

The vehicle makes extensive use of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic [CFRP] - a lightweight yet extremely strong, high-tech material. BMW Group's use of CFRP is opening up new horizons in automotive engineering and design, which is clearly reflected in the BMW i3 Concept Coupe. Carbon fiber components have not only revolutionized lightweight automotive engineering, they've also played a significant part in the design of BMW i vehicles. The fact that carbon fiber is light, extremely robust and easy to shape has paved the way for more complex design features and improved aerodynamics, with an enhanced sense of interior space.

The BMW i3 Concept Coupe center stack

Measuring 3,964mm long, 1,768mm wide and 1,555mm high, the BMW i3 Concept Coupe has a highly unique profile. Its low-slung design and standard BMW i3 2,570 mm wheelbase mean exceptional agility for the urban driver.

The BMW i3 Concept Coupe's looks champion the marque's brand values of efficiency, lightness, safety and premium quality. The exterior surfaces and color scheme are designed to visualize the basic construction, as defined by the car's LifeDrive architecture. The principle of overlapping levels known as “layering” serves to symbolize the harmonious interaction between the striking construction, and the design elements of the “Life", and “Drive" modules, and also provides the basis for a transparency in vehicle design that reinforces the concept's sustainability. When the BMW i3 Concept Coupe rolls out later this year, it will represent the German carmaker's next stage of Efficient Dynamics technologies.

Compact, efficient, powerful

Derived from BMW Group's green strategy of committing to the efficient use of the world's limited energy resources while conserving the environment, BMW's EfficientDynamics initiatives have been key contributors to the Group's continued success as the world’s most sustainable carmaker. BMW Group's EfficientDynamics technologies have been developed to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions while improving vehicle performance. The key principles of Efficient Dynamics include engine optimization, intelligent energy management, lightweight construction and enhanced aerodynamics.

Efficient Dynamics covers all areas of vehicular development across BMW Group. BMW's teams of industry-leading experts strive to develop new solutions to pressing environmental challenges while researching and developing new materials and technologies that optimize vehicular weight and enhance the overall driving experience. As such, customers always receive a vehicle that represents state of the art craftsmanship, quality, and sustainability.

To date, BMW Group has invested over 1.2 billion euros [S$1.9 billion] in EfficientDynamics technologies [BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, eight-speed automatic transmission, automatic start/stop function, and brake energy regeneration, to name a few], and more than 3.5 million vehicles equipped with these environmentally friendly, sustainable technologies are on the road today. At the beginning of 2012, the range of BMW and MINI models consisted of 73 vehicles with CO2 emissions of no more than 140g/ km, including 30 BMW models with emissions not exceeding 120 g/km.

Lightweight and strong, carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) constitutes a part of BMW’s LifeDrive architecture.

BMW Group has also introduced BMW ActiveHybrid cars. Developed with an intelligent hybrid-drive technology, BMW ActiveHybrid cars are powered by a six-cylinder in-line petrol engine as well as an electric motor, which means local emissions-free driving in urban conditions or when coasting.

Hence, it's crystal clear that Efficient Dynamics has not only been a driving force in shaping BMW Group's product development but also steering the company to the position it occupies today at the forefront of sustainability. Really, one need not look further than the BMW i3 Concept Coupe as the triumphant epitome of these initiatives.