BMW has debuted the i3 Concept Coupe, a sporty three-door version of its forthcoming i3 electric car. The i3 Concept Coupe is the fourth model in BMW’s electric i range, and will join the five-door i3, the i8 and i8 Spider.
The i3 Concept Coupe uses the same electric power gubbins as the five-door model, at the heart of which is a 125kW/170bhp electric motor and a lithium-ion battery with sufficient capacity for a range of between 80 and 100 miles, depending on how you drive it.
Several drive modes are available including Comfort (most performance), Eco Pro (slightly different accelerator pedal mapping and less power used) or Eco Pro+, which deactivates things like air-conditioning and limits the top speed to 56mph in an effort to eke out yet more range.
The i3 Concept Coupe’s battery pack can draw on the help of an optional ‘range extender’ which increases the total range to 186 miles. BMW has yet to reveal the exact specs for the device, but it’s expected to take the form of a small two-cylinder engine with a displacement of around 600cc.
Those of you with range anxiety will be pleased to hear BMW has introduced a number of clever range assistance features including a sat-nav that shows just how far you can drive in each of the car’s modes.
The internet-enabled i3 Concept Coupe can calculate your range dynamically based on traffic flow, road gradient and driving conditions. It will even tell you to select another driving mode if it thinks you won’t reach your destination in the current setting.
BMW will launch the four-seater i3 Concept Coupe later in 2013. A price has yet to be confirmed ─ stay tuned for more details.
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