We were in attendance during today’s unveiling of the BMWi i3 & i8 Concepts and are digesting all of the information we obtained. While we gain some composure and put pen to paper or more so in our case fingers to keys- enjoy the photos from the Frankfurt. (Full gallery after the break)
Carbon fiber has been dubbed the material of the future for building vehicles. Whether it be planes or cars, the strength to weight ratio is almost unbeatable. Current market pricing of this high tech material has relegated it to ultra exclusive super cars, race cars and some high end sports cars- ///M models included. Pending legislation makes efficiency the utmost concern for future vehicles, reducing weight plays a significant role in increasing miles per gallon- and since all manufacturers and all cars will need to improve in this area, carbon fiber may finally become more mainstream.
Without this nudge from law makers carbon fiber may have remained exclusive to expensive cars into the foreseeable future due to the limited demand and inability to reach adequite economies of scale. Those factors just would not make it viable for the everyman’s mode of transport, thankfully that is all about to change.
BMW will launch the first installment of the “Mega City Vehicle” under Project-i (as a sub brand believed to be iSetta) to help improve the overall miles per gallon fleet average and help the environment (something BMW has always been at the forefront of). This vehicle will signify a huge leap in terms of production, materials and drive line. BMW is now stating that in 2013 they will bring their first rendition of the MCV to market and usher in the age of electric powered, carbon fiber structured BMW products.
The Megacity Vehicle will be be the first mass produced vehicle to utilize significant quantities of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics (CFRP). The use of these high tech materials will substantially reduce its weight and thus improve the overall range of the electric vehicle. The MCV is just the tip of the future of BMW carbon fiber use in vehicles.
BMW recently announced that along with SGL Carbon Fiber SE they will build a state-of-the-art carbon fiber manufacturing plant in Moses Lake, WA. This new plant will be a key component in creating cost effective CFRP for the Mega City vehicle and other BMW group products. Multiple sources indicate, that once complete, this plant will be supplied raw polyacrylonitrile (PAN) produced by SGL and Mitshubishi Rayon in Japan and convert those polyacrylic fibers into the actual carbon fibers.
MINI had its 50th birthday today, and released a concept. BMW is joining the party with a teaser of what the future holds. This video sets the stage for Frankfurt and the images/video we will soon see of the future MegaCity Vehicle from BMW and Project-i (i-Setta).
Anyone else noticing that some of these new models are becoming JOY’s to drive, rather than the “Ultimate Driving Machine”? Could we be seeing a split marketing campaign depending on the driving prowess of the vehicle?
According to BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer (as interviewed by Car and Driver) the BMW brand will be launching it’s Project i variant by 2012. As we’ve reported previously the car will be available with all electric, hybrid, petrol and diesel powerplants. The car will be aimed for worldwide markets but will be designed with an eye towards the US market and California’s new Zero-Emission-Vehicle (ZEV) requirements that call for large-volume manufacturers to sell ZEVs by 2012.
Here’s an excerpt from the article:
Styling will be BMW-like, with short overhangs, a wide track, and a low roofline. Electricity will be stored in a water-cooled lithium-ion battery pack that is expected to provide a 100-mile range. Other versions of the City will get a gas or diesel engine and are being developed for Asian markets, particularly China. It hasn’t been decided whether the electric City will be badged as a Mini or a BMW. Reithofer also hinted that it may get a new name. BMW holds the rights to Riley and Triumph, but considering the reputation of electrical systems in British cars, redeploying those old names probably isn’t the best idea.
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We believe in the old school BMW ownership experience. We believe in garage nights with a six pack and some friends. We believe in 2002s, in E30 M3s and E34 540s with the 6 speed. We believe in progress in both design and engineering but we haven't lost sight of what made the brand and its products great all those years ago. And yes, we believe in the manual transmission.
We long for the days of the wave and for the days of roll-up windows. Yet we love the gadgets on the inside and the xenons on the outside.
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Sections: BF Feature, BMW "City", BMWi, Concept, Design, Events, i3, i8, Technology, Vision Jul 29th, 2011 1 Comment 
