BMW i3 to be unveiled in three continents today

Exactly two years after BMW had presented its i3 electric car concept in Frankfurt, the German auto-maker is set to unveil the production version of the car in three megacities of the world – London, Beijing and  New York. [Update: BMW i3 makes its World Premiere in New York, London and Beijing]

In each of the three metropolises, BMW Group board members will present the BMW i3 in a live transmission, explaining the development history and technology of this innovative model.

The i3 is the world’s first premium electric vehicle designed from the ground up to be powered by an electric drive system developed entirely in-house by the BMW Group. The electric motor weighs just 50kg and develops an output of125 kW/172PS and 250Nm of torque to get the i3 from 0-60km/h in just 3.7 seconds. 0-100km/h is achieved in just 7.2 secs while top speed is electronically limited to 150km/h.

Customers can charge the i3 from a conventional domestic plug socket or have a BMW I Wallbox installed, which helps charge the battery in six hours. However, when plugged into a modern, public fast-charging station, the battery is claimed to achieve 80 percent charge in just 30 minutes.

In day to day driving conditions, the i3 claims to offer an emission-free driving range of between 130km and 160km. For those with range anxiety, the electric car also comes with an optional range extender that claims to increase the range to about 300km. Essentially, the range-extender engine, mounted adjacent to the electric motor, comprises a two-cylinder 650cc, 34PS, petrol mill and helps maintain the charge of the lithium-ion battery at a constant level while on the move as soon as it dips below a certain value. BMW says installing the range extender won’t hurt the 9-litre luggage space located in the front of the car.

The i3 will command a starting price of 34,950 Euros or Rs 27.56 lakh when it goes on sale in November 2013 in Germany.

Stay tuned to ZigWheels.com for more updates from the car's unveiling later today.

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