BMW i - history written over the years
The impossible becomes possible. Electric cars, like a huge flood wave, break into the real world. Moreover, their offensive comes not from the side of technologically advanced Japan, but from the side of the old continent, more precisely, from the side of our western neighbors.
History is written over the years
As early as 40 years ago, the BMW Group began to work intensively on the use of electric drives in its vehicles. The real turning point began in 1969, when BMW introduced the 1602. This model is best known for its introduction at the 1972 Summer Olympics. This car proudly drove the long Olympic tracks with marathon runners. Its design shocked the world at the time, although it was quite simple. Under the hood are 12 lead batteries with a total weight of 350 kg. This decision helped the car accelerate to 50 km / h, and the cruising range was 60 km.
Further versions of electric vehicles appeared over the years. In 1991, the E1 model was introduced. Its design helped to reveal all the advantages and disadvantages of electric drives. Thanks to this car, the brand gained a huge experience that could be systematically expanded over the years.
The real leap forward has come with the ability to use lithium-ion batteries as the power source needed for propulsion. Used until now to power, for example, laptops, they opened up a lot of possibilities. Thanks to the combination of several dozen batteries, it was possible to cope with the current consumption of 400 amperes, and this was necessary to set the electric car in motion.
2009 marked another offensive for the Bavarian manufacturer. At that time, customers were given the opportunity to test the Mini's electric model, known as the Mini E.
Currently, in 2011, models labeled ActiveE have appeared on the market. These vehicles not only provide drivers with driving pleasure, but are also designed to test how transmissions that will be used in future vehicles such as the BME i3 and BMW i8 will perform in practice.
All this led the BMW brand to the moment when the decision was made to bring the "sub-brand" BMW i to life. The models, designated as BMW i2013 and BMW i3 Plug-in Hybrids, should appear on the market in the fall of 8 year.
The 81st Geneva Motor Show (March 03-13) will reveal more details about the new cars. However, it is known that the first car will be a typical urban, all-electric vehicle, which is especially appreciated in large cities. The next model, in turn, should be based on the recently introduced BMW Vision EfficientDynamics. The latest plug-in hybrid drive is expected to make it a sports car with high performance and fuel efficiency at the level of a small car.
The new brand BMW i gives hope that the German company will not part with internal combustion engines so soon. For fans of eco-friendly driving, this is a great alternative.
