At an exclusive yachting event, Les Voiles of Saint-Tropez, BMW has shown its two BMW i models, the i8 hybrid sportscar and the i3 Megacity vehicle.
The two i models debuted last month at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show and will go on sale in 2014.
With a curb weight of 1,195 kilograms, the BMW i3 is lighter than most vehicles in the compact segment, yet offers significantly more space for up to four occupants.
The car’s electric drive-train generates output of 125 kW/170 hp and peak torque of 250 Newton metres, which is immediately available from a standing start. The BMW i3 sprints from 0 to 60 km/h in 3.7 seconds and from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds. Its top speed is limited to 150 km/h for efficiency reasons.
The BMW i3 will go on sale in the US market in the second quarter of 2014, and starts with a base MSRP of $41,350, before any federal or state incentives, and before Destination & Handling fee (currently $925).
BMW i8 uses a plug-in hybrid system consisting of a turbocharged three-cylinder BMW TwinPower Turbo petrol engine and BMW eDrive technology in the form of an electric drive system.
The 1.5-liter combustion engine develops 170 kW/231 hp and drives the rear wheels of the BMW i8, while the 96 kW/131 hp electric drive sends its power to the front wheels and allows an all-electric range of up to 35 kilometers (22 miles) and a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).
We have recently test drove the BMW i8 and you can read our first driving impressions.
In Germany, the BMW i8 starts at €126,000, while in the UK it will cost £ 99,125. The U.S. market will also get the BMW i8 in 2014 at a base price of $135,700.
[Source: Bimmertoday]
