Hi folks -- last year while at BMW in Leipzig we learned quite a lot about BMW's development efforts related to its' new i3. Yesterday there was plenty in the news about the i3 product launch, and below is an article form the Detroit News. At the heart of this new car is the feature of carbon fiber body panels, and this involves a plant in Washington state. So the BMW i3 is emerging as a trans-national world car in its own right. One could write a nice essay on the global assembly line and its various connections. Did this phenomenon start with the lowly Ford Pinto -- engines and transmissions!
Frankfurt, Germany — BMW AG is showing off the production model of its new i3 electric compact that uses carbon-fiber materials to keep the weight down and improve
driving performance.
driving performance.
CEO Norbert Reithofer stressed at a New York unveiling that the car was designed as an electric from the ground up. The i3 is “born electric,” he said.
was designed as an electric from the ground up. The i3 is “born electric,” he said.
The company says the i3, built in Leipzig, Germany, will go from zero to 62 mph in 7.2 seconds. Its range is billed as 80-100 miles. Models with an optional range extender gas engine can go as far as 200 miles.
can go as far as 200 miles.
The car goes on sale in November in Germany and other European markets starting at 34,950 euros ($46,000) and reaches the U.S., Japan and China next year.
From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130729/AUTO0104/307290057#ixzz2aWuqivfD
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