BMW i3 Concept Coupe: The car for the megacities

New Delhi, Dec 2: BMW has unveiled the all-electric i3 Concept Coupe — a stunning three-door hatch that offers premium-class motoring with zero local emissions.Debuted at the LA Auto Show this week, the i3 Concept Coupe follows BMW's LifeDrive ethos. The Life part of the amalgam is the carbon fiber-reinforced plastic passenger cell; the Drive part is the horizontally split aluminum module that includes the drive system, chassis and battery.It is a battery-powered hatch and is fourth concept model in the project ‘i' family, which already includes the five-door i3, i8 and i8 Spider.The new i3 has a near-production-ready interior, an eye-arresting look and points towards a three-door i3 that could arrive in 2014 – after the five-door version debuts in late 2013.Driven purely by electric power, the concept car has been built to fulfill the demand of sustainable and emission-free mobility. It embodies an intelligent form of urban transportation and commuting.Just like the BMW i3 Concept shown earlier, the Coupe features a 125-kilowatt/170 horsepower motor that delivers 184 pound-feet of torque. The emotor gathers its energy from powerful lithium-ion batteries, which are fitted under the vehicle. Three energy modes – COMFORT, ECO PRO and ECO PRO+ – allow the driver to choose from maximum ride comfort, extended range and maximum range, again customizing the driving experience.According to BMW the car is designed to travel “around 100 miles” on a full charge before needing an electron fill-up. The company will also offer a range-extending petrol engine as an option.The i3 Coupe comes with the same 2,570mm wheelbase than the five-door, but is lower and wider. It has the floating roof design, with no B-pillar, a longer door and stepped shoulder line. This enhances the rear glass area, which according to the company makes the visibility of rear passengers outstanding, something that's always criticised in city cars.The BMW i3 Concept Coupe design emphasises dynamism and sheer driving pleasure. Since there's no transmission tunnel, the cabin offers plenty of space, with two individual seats in the rear side. Up front, you can BMW has offered the familiar iDrive dial. A 6.5-inch screen replaces the traditional instrument cluster and an 8.8-inch display – used for the sat-nav and infotainment controls – sticks out from the dash.On the inside, the company has used a lot of natural resources like the European eucalyptus wood that underscore the premium standard of BMW i. The leather used in the interior is tanned using a natural agent derived from olive leaves. The olive leaf extract provides natural protection against fading and wear while giving the leather a unique look and unmistakable character. The car also uses cowhide from southern Germany which is not only environmentally friendly, but also produced for maximum durability. Further, the wood used in the dashboard is made entirely of timber grown in Europe and certified as 100 per cent sourced from responsible forestry.The BMW i3 Concept Coupe includes intelligent ConnectedDrive features that promise to simplify your trip. The car's navigation system offers you the most efficient and eco-friendly route for maximum range, and shows all available charging stations along your way. In addition, the intelligent remote app allows you to plan your trip before you set out, and always check your maximum range. Moreover, by using the BMW ConnectedDrive remote app, available for iOS and Android, a driver can access all vehicle data and route information from a smartphone anytime, anywhere.BMW is still sorting out its plans for electric vehicles, but don't be surprised to see a four-door i3 arriving in late 2013.