Photo Rendering: BMW i3 to be RWD, could offer up to 100 miles of gas-free driving

Posted: Apr 11, 2011
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Photo Rendering: BMW i3

Photo Rendering: BMW i3

Mystery still surrounds BMW’s plans to make a compact all-electric car that was dubbed the i3. Sketches, illustrations, preliminary info and spy photos exist all over the Internets, but no official renditions yet from the HQ in Munich. So we commissioned our rendering artist Christian Schulte in Munich to come up with a rendition of what the i3 could look like from recent spy videos and details BMW has released.

Click here for more news on the BMW i brand.

So far, it looks like something along the lines of a Scion xD, only slightly sportier. Of course, still in the unknown are particulars with the headlights but you can always expect kidney grills in usual BMW signature tradition.

Click here for more news on the BMW i3.

BMW confirmed that the i3 will be rear-wheel drive and the electric motor will be mounted on the rear axle to assist with driving dynamics. The BMW i3 is speculated to be powered by a 35 kWh lithium-ion battery, which will fuel a 150-hp electric-motor that will turn the rear-wheels. On a full charge, the BMW i3 is expected to allow a driving range of 100 miles with a top speed of 95 mph. The electric motor will also be accompanied by a range-extending internal-combustion engine of some sort.

The i3 however is still two years away from being production ready. Either way, BMW will definitely make eco-friendly cars more interesting.

Photo Rendering: BMW i3:

Photo Rendering: BMW i3

- By: Chris Chin


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  • Anonymous

    Not bad, but there are definitely some problems with this guess. Now that there are photos of the car during cold weather testing, you can see the obvious differences. First, the nose will have a pronounced bump in it above the bumper line, not a smooth transition from bumper to grill area. The headlights will be much lower than they are shown here, and will be on the level of the license plate in this CGI picture. Also the taillights stick out from the car, and aren’t flush like this shows.
    Plus, the original i3 released will be a three door hatch, not a five door like shown. The five door is supposed to follow in the second year of production.
    For more i3 photos & info, check out this link:
    http://bmwi3.blogspot.com/

  • Pat

    Looks better than the Nissan LEAF and chevrolet volt… id buy it ove them if it was priced right