The future promises even greater agility:
The BMW i3 Concept Coupe.The
world premiere of the BMW i3 Concept Coupe sees the BMW Group unveil a
particularly nimble and emotive version of its concept for sustainable
premium-class motoring with zero local emissions. The study presented at
the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show has been brought out in parallel to the
ongoing development process for getting the first ever all-electric
model from the BMW i brand ready for series production, and demonstrates
the potential for conceivably extending the model range. The
state-of-the-art, clean-cut and open design showcased by the BMW i3
Concept Coupe represents a pioneering form of urban mobility that makes
sustainability awareness an intrinsic part of the premium profile.
Beyond this, the three-door model employs the design idiom that has been
created especially for the BMW i cars to convey an undeniable sense of
dynamism and driving pleasure.
The carbon-fibre body’s visual
impact is largely shaped by the gracefully flowing coupe roof line and
the fresh interpretation of the BMW i “stream flow” design that can be
seen in the side window styling, and gives an instant impression of
lightness, transparency and streamlined aerodynamic qualities. On the
inside, the sense of spaciousness typical of the BMW i brand is combined
with an exclusive lounge-style ambience in the two individual rear
seats. The BMW i3 Concept Coupe furthermore assumes the title of the
world’s first fully networked electric vehicle. Thanks to the inclusion
of innovative BMW ConnectedDrive functions that have been devised by BMW
i for use in production vehicles, operation of the navigation system as
well as the information transfer between the vehicle, the outside world
and the driver’s smartphone has been geared towards the specific
requirements of e-mobility.
The BMW i3 Concept Coupe sharply
focuses the spotlight on the dynamic performance that can be achieved
with the purely electric version of the BMW eDrive technology. Like the
BMW i3 Concept, the Coupe is also propelled by an electric motor
developed by the BMW Group, which develops a maximum output of 125
kW/170 hp and peak torque of 250 Newton metres (184 lb-ft), and channels
its instantaneous power delivery to the rear wheels via a single-speed
transmission. The electric motor draws its energy from the lithium-ion
storage cells under the floor. Positioning the battery units here has
the effect of lowering the centre of gravity considerably, which further
adds to the vehicle’s sensationally agile handling.
The
LifeDrive concept for the BMW i vehicle architecture is instrumental in
enabling a brand new vehicle character to be married so harmoniously
with BMW eDrive, a technology that is already nearing production
standard. The horizontally split construction consisting of two
self-contained elements intrinsically focuses on the technical
requirements of the electric drive train, and helps to produce a design
concept, sense of spaciousness and driving experience that are unique to
BMW i cars.
The passenger cell forms the core of the Life
module, which is built from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP). BMW i
is scaling new heights for automotive engineering by making such
extensive use of this high-tech material. Because it is extremely light
yet very strong too, CFRP opens up tremendous scope for design and
therefore has all the right credentials for translating the inimitable
and unmistakable BMW i design idiom into a wide array of variants. On
the BMW i3 Concept Coupé, the drive system, chassis and energy storage
unit, along with the structural and crash functions, are once again
incorporated into the Drive module that is made chiefly of aluminium.
Measuring
3,964 millimetres in length, 1,768 wide and 1,555 high, the BMW i3
Concept Coupe can be noted for its highly individual proportions. When
compared directly to the BMW i3 Concept, the new study has a broader,
lower-slung look that serves to highlight its agile nature at first
glance. The wheelbase, on the other hand, is unchanged from that of the
standard BMW i3 at 2,570 millimetres.
Body design: LifeDrive architecture sporting new look and colour scheme.Transferring
the design idiom developed specifically for BMW i cars to a coupe
concept has resulted in a body whose styling smacks of fun at the wheel
while still plainly signalling sustainable mobility. The BMW i3 Concept
Coupe’s looks let the brand values of efficiency, lightness, safety and
premium quality clearly shine through, along with the study’s distinctly
dynamic bias. The exterior surfaces and colour scheme are structured in
such a way as to visualise the basic construction defined by the
LifeDrive architecture. The principle of overlapping levels known as
“layering” serves to symbolise the harmonious interaction between the
striking construction and design elements of the Life and Drive modules,
as well as providing the basis for a transparency in the vehicle design
that reinforces the concept’s sustainability. For instance, the
structure of the carbon-fibre material employed in the Life module can
be clearly seen in the entrance area and the roof pillars when the door
is opened. It is here, as the two-dimensional CFRP laminate typically
used for load-bearing elements comes into view, that the material’s
composition becomes particularly apparent.
The bodywork panels
around the wheel arches, doors and rear sidewalls are painted in Solar
Orange metallic, a warm shade bursting with energy that was created
especially for the BMW i3 Concept Coupe. It forms an electrifying
contrast with the high-gloss black finish on the bonnet, roof and boot
lid, as well as with the body’s black lower edge.
The front
apron includes black embedded elements designed to create an air curtain
effect that carefully directs the airflow in the vicinity of the wheel
arches. The rear apron’s lower section incorporates a diffuser component
to optimise flow conditions towards the rear of the vehicle’s
underside. The licence plate holder features a narrow border in Solar
Orange, while the U-shaped rear light clusters are integrated into the
rear window, just as they are on the BMW i3 Concept.
Contrasting
touches of Frozen Grey matt for the BMW kidney grille and the sill
lines along the sides are specific to this model and add to its visual
appearance. The brand emblems in Stream Blue at the front and rear and
on the wheel hubs are characteristic BMW i features.
Innovative coupe lines spell pure driving pleasure.A
steeply raked windscreen that extends a long way forward and a roof
line that descends gently into the vehicle’s tail are the defining
features of the BMW i3 Concept Coupe silhouette. The long doors with
frameless windows also have a typical coupe feel to them. The specific
way in which a CFRP passenger cell is constructed means there is no need
for a B-pillar. Not only does this facilitate access to the rear seats,
it gives extra impact to the dynamic flow of lines visible in the
window styling.
The BMW i3 Concept Coupe includes a fresh
interpretation of the brand’s hallmark “stream flow” design for the side
window contours between the doors and the C-pillars. As a result of the
enclosed body concept around the doors and the rear sidewalls, the
ratio between the body’s basic structure and the window area is clearly
marked by the shoulder line. The latest version of the window outline
tapers sharply towards the rear, once again putting clear emphasis on
the vehicle’s excellent aerodynamic properties. The upper and lower
edges are spaced particularly far apart on the BMW i3 Concept Coupe,
producing an enlarged window area at the rear. This means that, in
contrast to conventional coupes, passengers in the rear compartment are
able to enjoy a remarkable sense of spaciousness and feel far more
involved in the driving experience.
The highly distinctive and
dynamic view of the BMW i3 Concept Coupe in profile is completed by the
gently rising swage line on a level with the door openers, as well as a
striking character line that produces an intriguing interplay between
light and shade just above the side sills. The exterior mirrors also
sport a design that’s specific to this model, with black mirror bases
and caps in Solar Orange metallic that pick up on the body’s overall
colour scheme. 20-inch light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design further
intensify the car’s sporting aura. As is customary for BMW i models,
they are shod with comparatively narrow, reduced rolling-resistance
tyres measuring 155/60 R20 at the front and 175/55 R20 at the rear.
All
in all, the even more purist interpretation of the design idiom
compared to the BMW i3 Concept, coupled with the more horizontal focus
of the exterior’s styling, highlights the car’s enhanced aerodynamic
properties. The BMW i3 Concept Coupe therefore epitomises the future of
urban mobility, at the same time as instilling it with a distinct sense
of sportiness and emotional appeal.
Interior: inviting, spacious, clear-cut and inspiring.Individual
styling and material selection ensure that the brand’s trademark
principles of sustainability, lightness and transparency are applied to
genuine effect in the interior design of BMW i models, too. The interior
of the BMW i3 Concept Coupe illustrates how the cockpit design has
evolved as it is readied for series production, while at the same time
creating an individual ambience that fits in with the concept of a
sporty three-door car. The layering structure employed for the exterior
once again underpins the arrangement of the function elements and
controls, while a mixture of leather, wood, wool and other renewable raw
materials ensures that the car’s premium characteristics, including the
new aspect of sustainability, can be both plainly seen and felt.
The
freestanding steering column’s two-part design with its light and
graceful feel is further accentuated by the colour scheme. All
supporting elements are finished in a light grey colour, whereas the
steering wheel’s outer grip areas and all controls are coloured black.
Besides the display that acts as the instrument cluster and the control
stalks for the direction indicators and windscreen wipers, the steering
column is also home to the electronic gearshift lever and the Start-Stop
button.
Above the steering column and behind the instrument
cluster, there is a horizontally mounted wooden panel that spans the
full width of the interior in a dynamic sweep. Sourced from certified
sustainably managed European forests and treated using natural
materials, the light eucalyptus wood adds a real touch of class, and is
made all the more noticeable by the contrast with the black, three
dimensionally shaped controls. The control panels on either side of the
steering column are bordered by brushed aluminium accent strips. The
sweeping design of the eucalyptus wood panel is echoed by the contour of
the armrests in the doors, meaning that the driver and front passenger
are encircled by a series of harmoniously styled surfaces.
At the
cockpit’s centre, the bottom of the dashboard terminates in a flat
control panel that is angled slightly towards the driver and is used to
operate the climate control and audio functions as well as housing the
favourite buttons for the iDrive system. The iDrive Controller and
direct menu control buttons are located on the centre console between
the driver and front passenger on a level with the seat cushions. The
BMW i3 Concept Coupe has also kept the area between the dashboard and
seat cushions completely clear across the cockpit’s entire width. Its
particular drive concept, furthermore, dispenses with the need for the
transmission tunnel normally found on conventional vehicles, resulting
in a completely open space connecting the left and right footwells. Not
only does this create an impression of roominess, it can be of practical
benefit, too, as it allows the driver to easily swap to the front
passenger seat and get out on that side – a real boon, for example, when
using city-centre parking spots so tight that the driver’s door cannot
be opened.
Sustainability blended with sophistication: surfaces made from renewable resources and naturally treated materials.The
manually adjustable seats with integrated head restraints that were
specially designed for the BMW i3 Concept Coupe are upholstered in a
blend of warm-toned textured wool yarn and a cool-looking monofilament
material. The elegant, sporty colour scheme’s light grey tones also
reflect the sustainable character of the natural materials. The door
support panels made from anthracite-coloured kenaf fibre are perfectly
in keeping with this, and also blend harmoniously with the doors’
leather trim panels. The leather adorning the interior of the BMW i3
Concept Coupe is treated using natural products exclusively, with an
extract from the leaves of the olive tree serving as the tanning agent.
There
are two individual seats in the rear of the BMW i3 Concept Coupe where
passengers are able to savour a whole new form of motoring comfort in a
lounge-style ambience. The seat backrests both curve outwards
prominently to form a seamless connection with the rear panelling.
Whereas the seating position engenders a feeling of security, the
windows – which are exceptionally large for the rear of a coupe – make
passengers there feel more part of the driving experience. After tilting
the front seat backrests forwards, getting in and out of the rear is
facilitated by leather-trimmed grab handles that double as belt feeders
for the driver and front passenger.
Display and control concept featuring the very latest display technology.The
BMW i3 Concept Coupe comes with two top-class displays, which provide
the interfaces for the exchange of information between vehicle and
driver and for operating the infotainment and communications functions.
Information that can help to make driving a more comfortable, efficient
and safe experience is flashed up in the displays. The navigation
system, meanwhile, is networked with the outside world via BMW i
ConnectedDrive.
Information is visualised in the form of
three-dimensional, high-resolution graphics depicted in the reduced
style typical of the BMW i brand. The task of the instrument cluster is
assumed by a 6.5 inch (16.5 centimetre) screen positioned on the
steering column, where all driving-related information appears in
digital form. The second display in the centre of the dashboard is
positioned at exactly the same height for perfect legibility. With a
screen diagonal of 8.8 inches (22.4 centimetres), it enables detailed
graphics to be reproduced, just like the central information display in
BMW production cars. This screen is used, for instance, to display the
functions of the navigation system including the BMW i ConnectedDrive
services. The information provided by the functions familiar from BMW
ConnectedDrive is likewise shown here. This central information display
also serves to keep the driver and front passenger fully informed of the
vehicle’s status and the drive system’s operating mode.
The two
displays have been designed to interact in such a way that the
information shown is distributed between the two screens as the
situation dictates. In the case of the BMW i3 Concept Coupe, their
interaction is best illustrated by a typical urban mobility scenario.
When the car is started, the instrument cluster springs to life first.
It signals that the vehicle is ready to start with a welcome sequence
whose animation spreads to the central information display. In the
meantime, the system has already connected to the drive’s smartphone and
is showing current calendar entries. Shortly afterwards the driver
receives a text message with the agreed venue for his meeting. The
address data are automatically used to generate a navigation
destination, which then appears on the central information display. The
driver learns that his destination is within the vehicle’s range and he
is advised to recharge the car there. Shortly before arrival at the
destination, various charging stations in the vicinity are displayed and
the driver is offered the option of booking one of them. He confirms
and books the nearest one. During the journey the driver can also find
out about the restaurant he is heading for as well as listening to
personal playlists. On arrival, the driver hooks the vehicle up to the
charging station. The illustration of the different functions is rounded
off by an animated charging graphic that appears on both displays when
recharging the battery.
COMFORT, ECO PRO and ECO PRO+: three driving modes for the ideal mix of driving pleasure and efficiency.The
range covered by vehicles with an all-electric drive is very much
dependent on driving style, just as fuel consumption is in
conventionally powered cars. The BMW i3 Concept Coupe helps the driver
to optimise efficiency by choosing an appropriate vehicle set-up. The
Driving Experience Control switch on the centre console can be used to
select the three driving modes, COMFORT, ECO PRO and ECO PRO+. The
sportiness and comfort of the BMW i3 Concept Coupe can be best
experienced in the standard COMFORT setting. ECO PRO mode places the
focus more on economical energy management for an increased range and
even cleaner performance. The accelerator mapping is modified, for
example, so that the same pedal travel delivers less power. At the same
time, the heating and air conditioning are switched into a more
energy-efficient operating mode. Changing from COMFORT to ECO PRO mode
can extend the vehicle’s range by as much as 20 per cent.
Efficiency
can be boosted yet further in ECO PRO+ mode, which is designed to do
everything possible to maximise driving range. So, not only is the
accelerator mapping modified, maximum speed is also limited to 90 km/h
(56 mph). Comfort functions such as the heating and air conditioning are
furthermore run at the minimum level required to prevent the windows
from misting up, for instance. Electrical consumers like the seat
heating, mirror heating and non-essential components of the daytime
running lights are even switched off completely. As a result of all
this, more miles can be added to the vehicle’s range.
Total networking thanks to BMW i ConnectedDrive with specific functions.The
BMW eDrive system fitted in the BMW i3 Concept Coupe is designed to
allow the vehicle to cover a distance of around 160 kilometres (100
miles) on a full battery charge before it has to be plugged into a
charging station again. This range comfortably allows it to be used for
more than just urban mobility.
Thanks to the BMW i
ConnectedDrive services that were purpose-developed for electric
mobility applications powered by BMW eDrive technology, the driver
receives realistic estimates of his vehicle’s current range, which can
be viewed even before setting off. The BMW i3 Concept Coupe therefore
assumes the title of the world’s first fully networked electric vehicle.
Precise, reliable, realistic: driving range display in the navigation system with BMW i ConnectedDrive services.The
BMW i3 Concept Coupe is equipped with a navigation system featuring BMW
i ConnectedDrive services. Both the navigation system and the BMW i
ConnectedDrive services have been carefully tailored to the specific
demands of electric mobility. Apart from the route guidance function,
the system also offers drivers assistance with their mobility
requirements that extends beyond just the journey planning. One of the
key elements of the networked navigation unit is a dynamic range
display, which delivers precise, reliable readings by factoring in all
relevant variables.
The battery’s charge status, driving style,
activity of electric comfort functions and the selected driving mode are
all taken into account for the calculation, along with the route’s
topography and current traffic levels. The system is therefore able to
make allowance for the extra energy used up for both an upcoming climb
and stop/start traffic or traffic jams, and lowers its range calculation
accordingly. Up-to-the-minute and detailed real-time traffic data is
also added to the equation. The information is analysed and evaluated
centrally by the BMW ConnectedDrive server that stays in permanent
communication with the vehicle thanks to its built-in SIM card. The SIM
card’s fixed installation ensures an optimum connection at all times
throughout the vehicle’s life.
The dynamic range display is
visualised on the vehicle’s central information display not only as a
figure but also as a peripheral contour within the navigation map.
Taking the vehicle’s current location as a starting point, all points
that can be reached with the available energy reserves are joined up to
form a peripheral contour. Since the driver is able to actively
influence the vehicle’s energy consumption and therefore its range by
switching the driving mode, the graphical representation of the range
calculation is always made available in two variants, allowing the
driver to view the relevant current range regardless of whether the
COMFORT, ECO PRO or ECO PRO+ mode is selected.
When route
guidance is activated, the driver is given a precise and true-to-reality
indication of whether the destination is within range and how much
energy he has to spare. The most efficient route is also shown as an
alternative to the fastest. If necessary, the Range Assistant will even
recommend changing to ECO PRO or ECO PRO+ mode in order to increase the
range. This function clearly demonstrates the interaction between the
tailored route guidance for electric vehicles from BMW i ConnectedDrive
and the special energy management from Efficient Dynamics.
If
desired, the driver is able to call up a charging station near to his
destination and reserve it with another push of a button. The system
additionally notifies him of the charging time required before
commencing the return journey or the onward journey to the next
destination. The wealth of functions offered by the navigation system
with BMW i ConnectedDrive services makes it possible to plan out
journeys using electric power alone with supreme precision, reliability
and convenience.
Intelligent networking simplifies mobility
planning: a smartphone app with eRemote function developed by BMW
ConnectedDrive for BMW i.The mobility planning information
provided is made available on the customer’s smartphone as well as in
the vehicle courtesy of a smartphone app for the iOS and Android
operating systems which was specially developed for BMW i. The app is a
further development of the eRemote functions from BMW ConnectedDrive and
offers the driver constant access to the vehicle data and relevant
route planning information. Thanks to this intelligent networking,
customers are able to check the vehicle’s status or plan out upcoming
journeys in the BMW i3 Concept Coupe from the comfort of their office or
even over breakfast.
If the vehicle is plugged into a public
charging station or the BMW i wallbox, the charging procedure can be
controlled both remotely and via a timer function. The range display
shown in the BMW i navigation system can also be viewed on the
smartphone in exactly the same format as in the vehicle. The BMW i app
can additionally be used to search for and select either a navigation
destination or a free charging station and then import it to the
vehicle’s system. Available charging stations are indicated in both the
navigation unit and the BMW i app, which also show whether the stations
are currently free.
When the customer leaves the vehicle at the
journey’s end, he can furthermore use the pedestrian navigation function
built into the BMW i app to guide him to his final destination. For
this, the navigation destination selected by the driver in the vehicle
is automatically transferred to the BMW i app via the BMW ConnectedDrive
server.
The route planning function that was specially
developed for BMW i and the specific requirements of urban centres also
includes local public transport networks, allowing the available
transport connections to be taken into account if required. This gives
the driver the option of selecting an intermodal route in his BMW i car,
whereupon he is first directed to a public car park by the navigation
system. After leaving his vehicle, he now uses the BMW i app to guide
him first to the correct bus or tram stop and then on to his destination
while completing the final leg of the journey on foot.
In
addition to this, BMW i also offers pioneering mobility services that
can be incorporated into the customer’s mobility planning. These include
the premium car-sharing service DriveNow, which has been available in
Germany since 2011 and, since September 2012, in San Francisco as well.
It was here that the ParkNow facility was also introduced as a world
first, enabling parking spaces to be booked via a smartphone app.
ParkNow and other services are provided to the customer via BMW
ConnectedDrive and made available to use in the navigation system.