Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Rendering of the BMW Project i

The first of the Project i prototype from BMW is expected to be displayed during the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2011. This model, installed with an electric motor and having a carbon fiber structure would be unique in its features is what BMW has claimed. Fully fledged production of the model would commence from 2013.

The targeted weight of the vehicle by the makers has been set at 950 kilos. For this reason they are using carbon steel as no other material exists which is lighter and stiffer. The planned production is of a 150,000 units per year in three different body versions. The model would have a three door and four seating option. Length of the vehicle would be 4 meter. The selected name for the model is the Megacity. The second version would have three door and be a two seater with length of 3.30 meter to be launched in 2015. The third version that of 4.2 meter and five doors would be launched in 2017.

All Project I models would have electric drive and lithium-ion batteries. The cars would be installed with regenerative braking system for the top version. The mid level version would be a long range hybrid and the entry level version would have an autonomy of 150 to 200 km with its engine delivering 100 hp.