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Grant Thomas provides a 30 minute review of the BEV version of a right hand drive, UK delivered, BMW i3.
At approx 17:28 there is a demonstration of the i3's autonomous Active Cruise Control feature which doubles as a stop & go traffic jam assist and collision avoidance brake system.
A very thorough review with comparative costing; not just cost of ownership but carbon costs as well. |
We have added a video documentary on the history of BMW to our new satellite site: View.
Made in 1995, before the i3 was even a pipe dream there is nothing to suggest what was to come. Much of the film is of restored vehicles and recreated scenes featuring the cars and bikes, some historic material but not as much as there could or should have been. Some useful film of car production methods at different times in the 20th century give a good insight into the changes brought about by increasing mechanisation and early robotics; compare production then with the methods used now and shown in the videos below.
Made in 1995, before the i3 was even a pipe dream there is nothing to suggest what was to come. Much of the film is of restored vehicles and recreated scenes featuring the cars and bikes, some historic material but not as much as there could or should have been. Some useful film of car production methods at different times in the 20th century give a good insight into the changes brought about by increasing mechanisation and early robotics; compare production then with the methods used now and shown in the videos below.
Watch the BMW i3 being built from start to finish.
Part 1:
Carbon fibre, battery assembly, assembly of the drive module |
Part 2:
e-transmission assembly, electric engine construction, cockpit and dashboard moulding. |
Part 3:
body pressing, assembly, and painting. |
Part 4:
Final assembly. |
A 'Car Design' Interview With Benoit Jacob Head Of Design BMW i3
VISIONARY DESIGN AS AN EXPRESSION OF AGILITY, INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY.
BMW i3 PRODUCTION CAR - A new brand, a new understanding of premium. Already a globally successful manufacturer of premium vehicles, the BMW group is also set to play a leading and ground breaking role in shaping the face of personal mobility in the future. The research and development work carried out since 2007 as part of project i has laid the foundations for sustainable mobility solutions influenced by environmental, economic and social change around the world. The BMW Group is pursuing an integrated approach, as embodied by the new BMW i brand, in its drive to achieve the necessary balance between individual needs and the global mobility requirements of the future. BMW i is committed to creating innovative vehicles and mobility services with a premium character that is defined squarely in terms of sustainability. This vision is about to become reality: the BMW i3, the first series-produced model from the new brand, offers customers emission-free mobility in a premium car package.
The LifeDrive architecture and BMW eDrive drive technology allow an exceptional degree of freedom in terms of design. Indeed, the appearance of the BMW i3 is as memorable as the feeling of space and driving experience on board. A body measuring 3,999 millimetres in length, 1,775 mm wide and 1,578 mm in height gives the BMW i3 distinctive proportions whose dynamism and compactness underline the car's agility in urban use. The short overhangs of the BMW i3 are also a clear pointer to its nimble driving characteristics. Large glass surfaces imbue the i3 with a compelling lightness and, together with its visible carbon structures, provide a window into the car's low-weight design. |
The use of the light yet extremely rigid material CFRP in the construction of the passenger compartment allows it to dispense with B-pillars, making access to the two rows of seats extremely easy. One of the signature features of BMW i models is their "black belt", which extends from the bonnet over the roof and into the rear of the car. Another product of the stand-alone BMW i design language is the "stream flow" sweep of the side contours, which allows larger side window surfaces at the rear and thereby magnifies the generous feeling of space inside the car.
The front-end design of the BMW i3 is defined by a powerfully contoured apron, by the distinctive interpretation of the BMW kidney grille as an enclosed element, and by headlights bordered with U-shaped LED light units. The likewise U-shaped LED rear lights are integrated as "floating" elements into the large, fully glazed tailgate. Opposing "coach" doors, coupled with the absence of B-pillars and the centre tunnel normally found in conventional vehicles, form the basis for the unusually high degree of spaciousness and freedom of movement inside the BMW i3 (given its compact exterior dimensions). The lines and surface sculpting of the cockpit and door trim accentuate the impression of lightness and contemporary functionality. |
The mixture of naturally treated leather, wood, wool and other renewable and recycled raw materials ensures that the premium character of the BMW i3 -- complemented by the extra allure of impressive sustainability -- is something you can both see and feel.
The BMW i3 is fitted with lightweight seats featuring extremely slim backrests. A slightly raised seating position optimises the driver's view over city traffic. The gear selector and start/stop switch share a control element projecting from the steering column. Both the instrument cluster and the iDrive operating system's Control Display (6.5 inch or 8.8 inch) come in free-standing display form. The BMW i3 can be ordered with exterior paintwork in a choice of two non-metallic and four metallic colours, all of which present an eye-catching contrast to the black belt. The interior can be tailored to the customer's personal style with the Loft, Lodge and Suite equipment lines available as alternatives to the standard Atelier trim. Standard equipment for the BMW i3 includes the iDrive system and Radio Professional, telephone hands-free facility, air conditioning, Park Distance Control with rear-mounted sensors, stationary climate control and a variable luggage compartment. Also standard are onboard connectivity via an integrated SIM card and extensive Smartphone integration via USB and Bluetooth, including the BMW i Remote App. Additional options include a choice of navigation systems, Adaptive LED Headlights, an electrically operated glass roof, automatic climate control, heated seats, Comfort Access and a host of BMW Connected Drive features. Also available as options are a range extender and driver assistance systems such as Driving Assistant Plus, Parking Assistant, a rear view camera and Speed Limit Info. |
The BMW i3 the first car from the new "i" sub-brand for eco focused Beemers. Can an all-electric BMW car drive like a BMW? Find out.
Jan 2014 |
The BMW i3 was launched last year but is already available in the UK. Robert Llewellyn gives it a spin and says "Not only is it an amazing car, but the way it's manufactured and what it's made from is equally impressive." Jan 2014
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