[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckwOsAs4_Qk[/ame] Today is the day that BMW took the wraps off its biggest gamble to date. No it’s not a full car reveal. Actually much more grand and has greater implications than any single new model. The brand is BMW i and the idea is to rethink the car and the way we use our transportation infrastructure. Along with the brand, BMW announced its plan to produce two cars under the i name. The i3 will be a fully electric three and five door hatch with a carbon fiber monocoque on an aluminum frame (yes body on frame is back). Pricing has yet to be even hinted at but we expect this to be a premium offering (ie high-end 3 Series territory). The i8 will also be much more premium costing more than $150,000. But it will have performance, design and engineering that will live up to that price. Likely very similar to the Vision concept that debuted at Frankfurt a year and a half ago, the car will likely redefine what a sports car is. With its three cylinder turbo diesel developing great power while being extremely efficient, the i8 will lead the brand. Look for the BMW i8 to debut in 2013 and the i3 to follow it about a year later. Source - MotoringFile
Good marketing hype to start, lets see what they deliver. I can't believe calling it i though. Surely they could've come out with something a little more creative that jumping on the i-branded bandwagon.
Considering they already use i in their monikers, it is a bit contrived. Anxious to see what it is all about, tho. Glad I have my MINI!