BMW Unveils i3 and i8 Concept Cars

Today BMW took the wraps off of two concept cars- the BMWi i3 and i8. These are the first two entries in a new BMW sub-brand called BMWi. BMWi will focus on efficient cars powered by fully electric motors, hybrid gasoline-electric systems, or other alternatives to conventional gasoline engines. The i3 is a fully electric city car, with small proportions and lots of interior space to facilitate urban lifestyles. The i3 is powered by a 170hp electric motor and has a range of 93 miles (150km). Its carbon fiber construction gives it a weight of only 1250kg, or about 2750 pounds, slightly less than an E30 3-series. Power goes to the rear wheels in typical BMW fashion, and it gets from 0-62 mph (100kph) in about 8 seconds. The BMW i8, on the other hand, is a full on sportscar with a hybrid drivetrain. Combined, its electric and gasoline motors can propel it to 62mph in under 5 seconds, rivaling cars such as the BMW 335i or M3. The rear wheels are powered by the gasoline engine, while the front gets electric power only. You might recognize the BMW i8- we've seen it before as the BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics concept. However, the i8's drivetrain runs on gasoline-electric hybrid system, where the Vision ED concept was diesel powered and only used the combustion engine as a generator to recharge the battery for its electric motors. Check out the gallery of images below, as well as BMWi's videos on YouTube that highlight the two new cars (link below).

Source: BMWUSANews.com

BMWi on YouTube
BMWi on Twitter

BMW i3:




BMW i8:

Toyota Signs $100 Million Contract With Tesla Motors

Toyota Motor Co and Tesla Motors are teaming up to build an electrically motivated RAV4 SUV. The RAV4 EV will be powered by a Tesla electric powertrain, presumably similar to the powertrain found in the Tesla Roadster and upcoming Model S. According to a press release by Tesla Motors, the first prototype has already been built and they expect to have a fleet of RAV4 EV's ready for testing by the end of the year.

Source: Tesla Motors

Pictured: 2012 Toyota RAV4 V6

2012 Porsche 911 Hot Weather Testing in South Africa

Check out this video from Porsche featuring the new 911 undergoing hot weather testing in South Africa.

Washington to Open EV Charging Stations

The State of Washington has begun a $1 million project to install Electric Vehicle Quick Charging stations along the I-5 highway. The project will be undertaken by AeroVironment EV. The stations are planned to be 30-50 miles apart, and will be able to charge a Nissan Leaf in 30 minutes. The stations will also have slower chargers to top off cars such as the Chevy Volt and Toyota Prius plug-in hybrids. It is also assumed to be compatible with BMW's 1-series ActiveE as well as the Mini E electric car and the Tesla Roadster. This project is part of a larger initiative to build a "West Coast Green Highway" which will serve 1,350 miles of road between Washington, Oregon, and California.

Via The Seattle Times
Photo Credit: The Wall Street Journal