i3 is revealed to the world today!

Hard to believe it's finally here. Seems like just yesterday we were cruising Southern California in the MINI E while BMW pondered an electric car. After the MINI E came our current ActiveE and early next year, the i3 will be available to all. Check out these links for all the details...lots of info released today:

Click here to see color, wheel and interior choices.

Click here for full 46 page press release (choose EN for English) along with 165 high resolution photos.

Moses Lake, WA plays a big roll in the new BMW i3

As one who grew up in Washington State near the Columbia River, I couldn't be prouder that BMW chose Moses Lake, WA after a world wide site review as the location for their carbon fiber plant. This plant will provide carbon fiber for the upcoming BMWi line of electric vehicles. Here's a video from BMW about the plant.

Here's a second video with more info about the Carbon Fiber itself.

BMW i3, the inside story: what it’s made of, how it’s made

Great article on the inner details of the upcoming BMW i3.

Nice write up in Autoweek

Enjoyed this write up from the folks at Autoweek.

Touring the BMW i3 Assembly Plant

The folks at MotorTrend recently toured the BMW i3 plant in Leipzig. I was surprised to learn about the lower cost of production as compared to a regular gasoline 1 series. Also, the repair costs that many folks have been concerned about are discussed in detail. Click here for the article.

Autoblog Green article on the upcoming i3

Here's an informative read on the upcoming i3. I especially liked this quote, "Our goal, right from the start, was to come to market with a car which will be emotional and fun to drive and deliver on our core competence which is driving pleasure."

News from Geneva!

Today the i3 Coupe Concept was shown in Geneva.  Here is what Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management, BMW AG had to say about it: 

Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to the BMW Group!

This is what individual mobility of tomorrow looks like and we will bring it to the road – as early as this year. This stands to show that we don’t just talk the talk. We walk the walk – because we are convinced that e-mobility is the technology of the future. We all know how the world is changing. In megacities, the car can only have a future if we take the right steps to lead it from low-emission to zero-emission technologies today. We strongly believe that sheer driving pleasure will also work without emissions.

The BMW i range offers a broad range of possibilities. What you can see here in Geneva is a variant of the BMW i3 – the BMW i3 Concept Coupe.

And I can tell you this much: Many of the components used for this Coupe are close to the series vehicle. This model highlights the great dynamics of the fully-electric BMW eDrive technology. Just like the BMW i3, the Coupe offers a maximum output of 125 kW or 170 hp. This e-drive is an in-house development – which is what customers expect from a company called Bayerische Motoren Werke AG. The underbody is fitted with lithium-ion batteries that provide the power to the e-drive.

We believe that customers will decide to buy an e-car if they receive compelling offers. Still, success is not guaranteed. But I am an engineer, and as such I know that technical progress and pioneering work require a daring approach. At the BMW Group, we have tackled the issue of e-mobility from a holistic perspective, and let me add: more so than any other automaker.

This means:

• A completely new vehicle concept, consisting of Life and Drive modules.
• New materials such as CFRP.
• Sustainable production.

The media will have the opportunity to test-drive the BMW i3 this fall. I have already driven it quite a few times, and let me tell you: Cruising the city in this agile and noiseless sprinter is, without a doubt, sheer driving pleasure. Unfortunately, our stage is too small; otherwise, I would be happy to give you a little demonstration on the spot. Thank you very much to the BMW i3 Concept Coupe!

The BMW i range is one example of the foresight that we have at the BMW Group. We aim to provide our customers once and again with innovative solutions and attractive services, which meet their individual demands and offer them additional benefits. Proof of this is the vehicle we would like to present to you next.

BMW i3 is just a year or so away

Had a great time seeing the i3 Coupe Concept at the Los Angeles Auto Show last month. I loved the color and the styling. Although the coupe is still just a concept and the 4 door version is the one coming late next year, I hope BMW fast tracks the coupe.

Check out these two videos:

Video 1

Video 2

Check out the new BMW i website!

BMW i unveiled a new website today. Check it out!

Interior shots via BimmerPost

Not sure what to make of these shots but if nothing else it shows the i3 is getting closer to production. While I'm enjoying the ActiveE, I'm looking forward to the i3.

BMW i3 & i8 Driving Experience

Two new videos to check out. Love the clean, bright interface. While the ActiveE is fantastic these two upcoming cars look Super!

BMW i3 Video
BMW i8 Video

i3 caught testing in Dubai

Was excited to read about the i3 testing in Dubai. If you look at the photo closely you can see some differences between this picture and the vehicle being shown to the public currently. The doors seem to be of a different size for instance. Exciting!

BMWi info just revealed

New information about the i3 and i8.

BMW Blog visits the i3 at the NY Auto Show

Check out this article for photos and thoughts on the i3 from the New York Auto Show. I'm having a great time driving the ActiveE and look forward to transitioning to the i3 when it becomes available.

Loved seeing the i3 in person this past November

At the Los Angeles Auto Show this past November, I was able to spend some time with the i3 and i8.
This picture shows how much I like the i3. Can't wait for it's arrival. Until then, we're driving the BMW ActiveE. 100% Electric, 100% BMW. For more information on BMW i check out BMW Activate The Future.

Great ad campaign with BMW i and Apple

Very cool advertising tie in with BMW i and Apple for iAD. Check out this video.

i3 spied in Sweden!

Click here to see shots of the upcoming i3.

ActiveE lease to be competitive with the Volt lease?

According to this article on the LA Times blog, the ActiveE lease will be competitive with the current Volt lease. While I'm excited, it'll be great to get some confirmation on this before I jump up and down.

The ActiveE is the final step before the BMW i3 comes to market.

All 4 films now up and available to view....

If you haven't had a chance to check out the film series on mobility, now's a great time as all four are up. Click here to check them out.
While I don't appear but for a few words in the films, I had a great time taking part in the project.

BMW Megacity is now the BMW i3

Today BMW announced the creation of a sub-brand of BMW called BMW i. Click here to view this mornings press conference. The vehicle previously referred to as the Megacity vehicle is now officially the BMW i3.

Also be sure to check out the BMW i website.

Finally we have a Facebook group started by Tom Moloughney with myself and Peder Norby serving as Administrators.