BMW's latest models start e-mobility revolution

Karsten Engel, president and CEO of BMW Group Region China, unveiled the BMW i8 at the launch ceremony in Beijing on Sept 21. CHINA DAILY

German premium vehicle producer BMW Group is kicking off a new era of e-mobility after it launched its latest battery electric vehicle model i3 and plug-in hybrid i8 in Beijing on Sept 21.

"Sustainability is set as a strategic objective of the BMW Group. Our commitment is all-round, among which e-mobility is the future of our business," said Karsten Engel, president and CEO of BMW Group Region China.

As a step to further enhance the company's branding philosophy of "Your Driving Pleasure, Our Joy" in China, the two models were unveiled at BMW's event - Joy Night.

Two variants of the pure electric four-door compact i3 will be sold at 449,800 yuan and 516,800 yuan respectively, while the price of the most progressive sports car - the plug-in hybrid i8 - was fixed at 1.988 million yuan.

"It's the start of a revolution, which the car industry has awaited for over a century. This holistic approach to e-mobility is a solid step forward in China," said Engel.

For nearly 130 years, cars have been made of steel and powered by combustion engines. "Today, the BMW i8 and i3 are breaking this norm and setting new standards for the future, as they, for the first time in the auto industry, implement sustainability throughout the value chain and re-define the luxury concept in the market," Engel said.

As the first purpose-built electric cars from the very beginning, the i models come with a unique LifeDrive architecture and intelligent lightweight concept.

Lightweight

BMW is the only car manufacturer who has mastered volume production of carbon-fiber materials, which are extraordinarily light, strong and safe.

"This high-tech material brings unparalleled inspiration and freedom for engineering and aesthetics design," said Engel.

The use of carbon fiber helps improve sustainability without compromising performance. The BMW i8 can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h within just 4.4 seconds. The car consumes 2.1 liters of fuel per 100 km when fully charged and driven in the city.

More impressively, as a pure electric car designed for megacities like Beijing, the BMW i3 is zero-emission.

Equipped with the latest BMW eDrive technology and well-designed battery system, with one charge, a standard i3 can run for 160 km. The Range Extender model is capable of going 285 km, which should satisfy daily transport requirements in big cities.

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