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It is our collective and individual responsibility to… protect and care for the environment in which we all live – Dalai Lama
BMW cars have always been more than just automobiles. They are like a Swiss army knife; A finely crafted tool with everything you need for whatever the road throws at you. A BMW is a purpose-built machine that you wear like a robot man suit, a technologically advanced one; You need to be a rocket scientist to understand all its intricacies. To appreciate all that potential and fully understand why BMW builds its cars the way it does; All you need to do is drive one.
The world is plunging into the abyss of climate change, and as the future of petroleum is as secure as Lindsay Lohan’s next movie role, everyone is turning to greener vehicles. Hybrid and electric cars are no longer trendy toys, but have become a necessary and important cornerstone in the plan to transition off oil. Once considered poor technology and limited to a meager range, the electric car is being reborn as a viable alternative to the beloved internal combustion engine. BMW has joined the fray with not just a new car, but a whole new car line. The BMW i8 Concept is one of a group of cars being produced by BMW i, a new sub-brand for the commercialization of low-emission (green) vehicles.
Along with the i8, BMW plans to introduce a convertible roadster version called the i8 Spyder, as well as a smaller electric hatchback called the i3. i8 hybrid electric vehicles are designed to combine the sportiness of regular BMW cars with the fuel economy of a small car. The design features a new BMW Vision EfficientDynamic Concept which is an innovative plug-in hybrid that combines the revised electric drive system of the i3 Concept. To increase the range, the electric motor is fitted with a rear mounted high performance three-cylinder combustion engine on the front axle. The engine will act as an on-board generator and BMW promises acceleration of 0-62MPH in less than 5 seconds with an estimated 86MPG.
The key to this configuration is the torque, which is available from a standing start and will provide smooth acceleration. The battery technology is based on ultra-powerful lithium-ion cells with an integrated liquid cooling system for ideal operating temperatures. The car can be charged from a home power supply system, and has a range of 20+ miles on battery power alone. The architecture is known as Lifedrive, and is basically a weight-efficient layered approach to car design. The bottom layer is the drive section, which includes the chassis, battery array, powertrain, suspension, steering and brakes. The top layer is the life section, which is a carbon fiber reinforced plastic passenger cell. This is the first time carbon fiber is being used on a mass market vehicle, and was developed here in the United States. The two sections connect with just four bolts and industrial grade adhesive. Using this setup, BMW promises a low center of gravity, perfect 50/50 weight distribution, and amazing handling.
The I8 is surprisingly handsome, with sweeping lines and a flat silhouette. It has a large transparent greenhouse (though I suspect the production version will remain unchanged) with doors that swing up like wings. The car is sculptural and organic, with a distinctive kinetic wedge shape and a forward-looking stance. From the front, the car features typical BMW design cues that are augmented by two U-shaped full-LED light configurations. There’s also a black semi-transparent V that rises from the hood and offers glimpses of the electric motor and carbon fiber Life Cell. At the rear are three-dimensional air outlets, a huge rear diffuser and “floating” taillights that match the U-shaped headlights. Both the headlights and taillights pulsate like the heart of some futuristic monster and the effect is jaw-dropping.
Inside the i8 there are large transparent surfaces in the doors and roof that give every section of the car the impression of merging together. The interiors are finished in a layered design with porcelain white support structure, black technical level and comfort section in mocha brown. The effect is modern and comfortable at the same time, and the dashboard and center console are free of excessive buttons and switches. The instrument cluster is made up of a large display with information presented in a three-dimensional high-resolution format. There is also a center mounted freestanding information display. The i8 is expected to be priced around $122,000 USD. Production is expected to begin sometime in 2014.
Article courtesy of Chris Raymond
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