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Pricing Announced for Revolutionary BMW i3 Electric Vehicle

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The Australian public is one step closer to the BMW i experience with BMW Australia today announcing local pricing and on-sale details of the revolutionary and unique BMW i3 electric vehicle.

The BMW i3 has already received worldwide acclaim for its innovative technology, visionary design and holistic approach to sustainability and since launch in overseas markets demand is far out-stripping expectations – as well as production.

According to Phil Horton, managing director of BMW Group Australia, the BMW i3 offering will change the perception of electric mobility in Australia.

“With its revolutionary design, innovative construction and heavy focus on sustainability the BMW i3 in itself is a compelling proposition,’ he said.

“Add to this the innovative mobility services on offer with BMW 360 ELECTRIC and BMW ConnectedDrive and the benefits for the BMW i3 become crystal clear” said Horton.

The BMW i3 is the world’s first premium car designed from the ground up to be powered by an electric drive system. The result is hallmark BMW driving pleasure in undiluted form, delivered with zero emissions and an engaging intensity unmatched by any other electrically powered vehicle.

 

Also helping to deliver the BMW i3’s engaging driving experience is the single-pedal control feature carefully configured by the BMW Group’s drive system development engineers. Recuperation mode is activated the moment the driver takes his foot off the accelerator. The electric motor switches from drive to generator mode, feeding power into the lithium-ion battery. At the same time, it generates a precisely controllable braking effect. This recuperation is speed-sensitive, which means the car “coasts” with maximum efficiency at high speeds and generates a strong braking effect at low speeds. The ability to accelerate and brake using just one pedal creates an unusually direct interaction between driver and car. Thinking ahead in city traffic can allow the driver to carry out 75 per cent of braking manoeuvres without applying the brake pedal.

 

Like the car’s unique vehicle architecture – based around the LifeDrive structure and its carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell – the electric motor, power electronics and high-voltage lithium-ion battery have been developed and manufactured independently by the BMW Group under its BMW eDrive programme. This ensures typical BMW driving pleasure is also a central feature of the BMW i brand’s first electrically powered car. Also playing their part are the driver assistance systems and mobility services from BMW ConnectedDrive and 360° ELECTRIC designed specifically for the BMW i3. Intelligent integration of these features allows them to accentuate the premium experience of all-electric mobility in urban environments.

The BMW i3 will be available in Australia in two guises, as a pure battery electric vehicle and, for customers particularly conscious of ‘range anxiety,’ it will also be available with a range extender.

Performing the role of the range extender is a 650cc two-cylinder petrol engine developing 27 kW, which is mounted immediately adjacent to the electric motor above the rear axle. The engine drives a generator for the purpose of maintaining the charge of the lithium-ion battery at a constant level as soon as it dips below a certain value.

Both variants represent the ultimate in environmentally conscientious urban motoring with near zero emissions and sustainable production.

BMW i3

BMW i3 with range extender

With range extender engine in use

Equipment and specification.

The BMW i3 features a completely new and state-of-the-art display and operating concept which is based on two high-resolution monitors. The right monitor for the driver is positioned on the steering column and has a 5.5-inch digital display which provides the driver with essential information such as road speed and range. Positioned at the centre of the instrument panel between driver and front passenger, a 10.3-inch monitor handles the tasks of the Control Display, showing for example prompts from the standard professional navigation system and displays the image from the standard rear view camera. Infotainment, menu functions and vehicle settings can be adjusted via the intuitive BMW Touch Controller.

The i3 is available with three different interior worlds: Lodge (standard), Loft (no cost option) and Suite. These allow customers to change the look and feel of the interior. All worlds feature environmentally conscious materials such as sustainably sourced wood, natural fibres and naturally tanned leather.

Additionally six unique paint colours and three alloy wheel choices provide for further customisation of the BMW i3.

Both BMW i3 models will come generously equipped with identical standard specifications boasting innovative features and bespoke BMW i functionality such as dynamic range map and ECO route for the navigation system. Full specification details will be advised closer to launch.

360° ELECTRIC

Since 2007 BMW has been conducting comprehensive field test as part of the project i initiative. With more than 1,000 people taking part and racking up in excess of 32 million kilometres the knowledge gained as a result has been channelled into the creation of innovative vehicle concepts and mobility solutions. Based on this information, BMW i brings together a wide range of innovative products and services within the 360° ELECTRIC portfolio that makes electric driving a comfortable and pleasing everyday experience.

Convenient and flexible ways of charging.

Customer charging behaviour was a key focus of the project i field tests with the results showing the majority of charging will take place at the customer’s home. BMW offers two ways to help facilitate this; the recommended method is via the BMW i Wallbox Pure (BMW Genuine Accessory) which allows for a charging power of up to 3.7kW at 16 amps giving a charging time of approx 6 hours. The alternate method is carried out using the occasional use cable which is provided with each vehicle as standard. This cable allows for a charging power of up to 1.8kW which gives a full charge in approximately 11 hours and can be used in most domestic wall sockets.

Charging away from home is also possible and becoming increasingly more accessible as the network of public charging facilities across Australia steadily expands as more electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles take to the roads. Public charging points allow for a charging power of up to 7kW giving a charging time of approx three hours if a full recharge is required. The 360° ELECTRIC program supports the use of public charging infrastructure via a charge card which allows cashless payments for charging at charging points operated by BMW Australia’s public charging partner to be announced closer to launch.

The Australian specification BMW i3 will be charged through a Type 1 (SAE J1772) charging connector. This connector type is used by all electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles which are currently sold in Australia.

Flexible Mobility: supplementing the BMW i ownership experience.

BMW i3 customers are offered additional services such as BMW i Add-on Mobility.  Financial Services and BMW i have created bespoke offers specially created for BMW i3 customers, for example to provide them with conventional BMW hire cars for occasions when they need to go on trips that exceed the range of their BMW i3 or would prefer a larger model for going on a summer or winter holiday that includes transporting bicycles or skiing equipment. Customers can choose between various models for the duration of their choice, and this can easily be integrated into the purchasing or leasing contract.

In addition to enabling customers to charge their car at home, BMW i offers a wide range of assistance services, mobility guarantees and intelligent convenience functions to ensure uninterrupted mobility. These include an advanced BMW i ConnectedDrive navigation system to maximise range, and the ability to use the charging stations of external partners. And if by any chance a vehicle should break down or run out of power, a broad range of BMW i services is available to ensure speedy assistance.

BMW i ConnectedDrive

The BMW i3 is more than just a very intelligent car, it’s a wholly new approach to personal mobility, just one element in a package that includes innovative driver assistance systems from the new BMW i ConnectedDrive.

The BMW i3 is the world’s first fully networked electrically powered car. No other car boasts such a far-reaching exchange of information between the vehicle, its driver and the outside world. A SIM card, fitted as standard in the BMW i3, is the key that unlocks the BMW i ConnectedDrive services which, for example, offers navigation services specially developed to enhance electric mobility, as well as real time traffic information, intelligent eCall, concierge services and more.

Also part of the unique BMW i ConnectedDrive features is the BMW i Remote app which enables key vehicle and route planning information to be available to the customer at any time using their Android or Apple iOS smartphone. Vehicle information such as battery charge status, current available range and status of door locks and windows is readily available alongside the display of charging stations, current location of vehicle, last mile routing and the ability to remotely control features like locking/unlocking of the vehicle, charge programming and headlights.

Further detailed information regarding 360° ELECTRIC and BMW i ConnectedDrive will be communicated closer to the launch.

BMW i Sales and service network

The BMW i3 has been designed to be the ideal vehicle for driving and commuting in city traffic and urban environments and the sales and service network for BMW i vehicles has been nominated to reflect this. From the commencement of sales there will be four BMW i selling dealers operating in Australia; BMW Melbourne in Southbank, Melbourne; BMW Sydney in Rushcutters Bay, Sydney; Brisbane BMW in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane and Auto Classic in Victoria Park, Perth. At the end of the first quarter 2015 a further two sales dealers in Adelaide and Canberra will join the BMW i network.

On top of the authorised BMW i sales dealerships, service and repairs will be available on the BMW i3 through a selection of up to ten existing BMW dealerships all positioned in areas appropriate for BMW i ownership.

Financial services

A range of financial service packages, tailored to the specific needs of electric mobility, will be available from launch, including guaranteed future value based on the BMW Full Circle package.

BMW i3 Australian Pricing:

Australian  MRLP*

  

BMW i3 (BEV)

$63,900

BMW i3 (REx)

$69,900

*Manufacturer’s Recommended List Price is shown and includes GST and Luxury Car Tax (LCT) –  if applicable, but excludes dealer charges, stamp duty, statutory charges and on-road charges, which are additional and vary between dealers and States/Territories. Customers are advised to contact their nearest BMW dealer for all pricing inquiries.

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