I3 Coupe Concept Previews BMW Eco Brand Launch This Year
The BMW i3 Concept Coupe has made its European debut at the Geneva Motor Show ahead of planned sales of the i3 later this year.
A variant of the BMW i3, the i3 Concept Coupe was presented to Europeans for the first time by Dr. Norbert Reithofer, Chairmain of the Board of Management, BMW AG. According to Reithofer, many of the components used on the i3 Concept Coupe are close to the production vehicle, which will have a maximum output of 170 hp from an electric motor.
BMW claims the i3 will be able to drive 80 to 100 miles (130 to 160 km) in normal operation while a special Eco Pro+ mode will offer up to an additional 25 miles of range. Those who demand even more will be able to opt for an i3 with a range extending gasoline engine, with a 186 mile total range.
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Of course, with so many rumors of the i-Series being in limbo last year, Reithofer reaffirmed that BMW is committed to its electric car program: “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.”
That means that we’ll be seeing more use of carbon fiber on the i-Series, as well as sustainable production for the lineup. He also promised the media an opportunity to drive the i3 this fall.
GALLERY: BMW i3 Concept Coupe
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Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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