Ahead of the 2012 Los Angeles International Auto Show, BMW has unveiled a concept of the BMW i3 in coupe 2 door format.
The passenger cell forms the core of the Life module, which is built from carbon fibre-reinforced plastic(CFRP). BMW i is scaling new heights for automotive engineering by making such extensive use of this high-tech material.
The i3 Coupe boasts many of the same features including the carbon fiber body, low center of gravity with lithium-ion batteries under the floor, and a 170hp electric motor. The i3 Coupe concept uses the same wheelbase as the standard i3, but looks lower and wider than the 4 door version.
According to BMW, the visual impact of the i3 Coupe is largely shaped by the gracefully flowing coupe roof line and the ‘fresh interpretation of the BMW i “stream flow” design’ that can be seen in the side rear window styling. In keeping with the BMW i green methods, the renewable interior uses leather, wood and even wool.
This is the first version of the BMW i3 that we’ve seen with production ready doors – the glass filled doors of the original BMW i3 concept would never pass safety testing to make it to market. Due to the lack of a center console, the interior feels much larger than other vehicles of similar sizes.
