The BMW i3 is set to be the German manufacturer’s first production vehicle in its new sustainable mobility model range, dubbed the ‘i Series’. The BMW i3 will be sold as either a fully electric or range-extended vehicle, which to-date has only been shown in concept form (as seen above).
The design sketches shown here were leaked from company’s patent office via L’Automobile and give us a good idea of the i3′s final production form.
The sketches suggest the BMW i3 has remained remarkably similar to the concept car that was originally shown at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Significant changes include: the absence of the transparent door panels, smaller rear doors due to the front doors being set further back; as well as more conventional head- and tail-light clusters, door mirrors and bumper designs.
The electric version of the BMW i3 will be powered by a rear-mounted electric motor generating 127 kW and 249 Nm of torque, which is expected to provide a range of around 150 km on a single charge. The range-extending model will benefit from a 650 cc, 2-cylinder motorcycle engine, which will increase the vehicle’s range to roughly 220 km.
There has been no word on pricing as yet, but the car is expected to go on-sale in Europe before the end of the year.
