BMW i3 production car images leaked
Images of the BMW i3 production car have been leaked ahead of its world premiere next week – this thing seems to happen more or less like clockwork lately, maybe they should just skip the official presentations all-together in this Internet age that we live in.
The production version takes a lot of inspiration from the i3 concept car that we first saw back in 2011 at the Frankfurt Motor Show however, the production BMW i3 does feature a mildly restyled front bumper with new headlights and round front fog lights while the blue-framed twin kidney grille remains.
As it was expected, the concept’s translucent doors and rear hatch have been replaced by more conventional opaque units and the rear suicide doors have been reduced in size.
The new rear bumper and LED tail-lights join the illuminated BMW badge and a tailgate-mounted spoiler.
The i3 will be the first vehicle to ride on BMW’s new LifeDrive platform – which is said to enable greater interior space while retaining a small wheelbase. The futuristic looking cabin of the i3 seats four and features a blue-trimmed two-spoke steering wheel as well as a digital instrument cluster and a central touchscreen.
It is expected that the touchscreen will be the car’s connectivity, navigation and entertainment functions hub and most likely will feature smartphone integration as well.
The leaked images also reveal metallic interior accents and optional wood trim highlights.
The electric version of the i3 will be almost four meters long and powered by a 125kW/250Nm electric motor and a lithium-ion battery, of course, the company claiming a range of up to 160km. there’s a range extender version which features an additional 650cc two-cylinder petrol engine which can maintain the battery charge and is meant to extend the range to up to 290km.
The official international debut of the BMW i3 will be on July 29at simultaneous events in London, New York and Beijing.
