There are many manufacturers out there who are trying to make the perfect electric car. However, most are bent on refining the hybrid technology. There is one manufacturer that was not expected to come up with an electric vehicle. This manufacturer is BMW and they have introduced the i3 electric car. This car does not have a gas engine. It runs solely on electricity. The idea of an electric vehicle may seem farfetched to some, but BMW has done it once again. The 2014 BMW i3 is definitely a car that will amaze everyone. Let’s look at how the 2014 BMW i3 is powered and its specifications:
Electric Motor and Batteries
Since the 2014 BMW i3 is an all electric car, there is no gas motor to charge its batteries. The i3 is equipped with a powerful motor which makes it pretty fast. While it may not be the ideal car to take on the track, it is excellent for speeding on the highway. The motor in the 2014 BMW i3 is rated at 170-horsepower or 125-kilowatts. Since this motor is quite powerful, it allows the i3 to accelerate swiftly. The powerful motor is powered by lithium-ion batteries.
The batteries are conveniently placed in the floor pan which keeps them out of the way. The batteries do generate heat, but they are kept cool by a liquid cooling system. These batteries are capable of delivering 22-kilowats of electricity per hour. One of the most innovative features of the i3 is the braking system. This is known as the regenerative braking. At high speeds if one needs to reduce the car’s speed, there is no need to use the brake pedal.
The speed of the car can be controlled by adjusting the accelerator pedal. The brake pedal will only be required if the car needs to be stopped completely. This may seem like a complicated feature, but it is pretty straight forward. Of course it does take some getting used to like transiting from a manual to an auto transmission. Once you get used to it, it can very well be the best thing you have ever driven.
Interior Design
The 2014 BMW i3 features freestyle doors. Since the car runs on an electric motor, it is extremely quiet in the cabin. The freestyle doors make cabin access for the rear passengers very easy. Moreover, the car has ample leg room for front and rear passengers alike.
The first impression of the interior boasts a futuristic theme. Instead of a regular speed meter, there is an LCD. In addition there is an LCD in the center console as well. The 2014 BMW i3 may seem like a small car from outside, but it is elegant and spacious on the inside.
Exterior Design
BMW has retained the signature grille in the 2014 BMW i3’s design. In fact the car looks like a compact version of the Utility Vehicles manufactured by the company. Its compact design makes it ideal for crowded cities. Maneuvering the 2014 BMW i3 in tight spots is a charm. Not to mention parking it in crammed parking lots is easy as well. The handling is not as crisp as other vehicles manufactured by the German automaker, but it is very decent for an electric car.
Charging Options
The 2014 BMW i3 is expected to be quite efficient. According to the company, the car will go about 80 to 100 miles after a full charge. Charging the car can be done with the help of a charging station. This can be set up at home and can charge the car in only 4 hours.
Since the 2014 BMW i3, is the first of its kind manufactured by BMW, it may have a few design inconsistencies. However, the design and features will only get better with time. It is only about time that we’ll see the perfect electric vehicle.