https://www.engineeringnews.co.za

BMW delays SA launch of electric, hybrid models to 2015

LATE-ARRIVAL BMW  The arrival of the i8 supercar has been delayed to March 2015

LATE-ARRIVAL BMW The arrival of the i8 supercar has been delayed to March 2015

Photo by Duane Daws

25th April 2014

By: Irma Venter

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

  

Font size: - +

BMW South Africa has postponed the introduction of the i3 city car and the i8 supercar to March 2015, says spokesperson Edward Makwana.

The i3 is an electric vehicle, and the i8 a plug-in hybrid. Both models were scheduled for local introduction this year.

Makwana says the models’ South African debut has been delayed “simply because demand for the BMW i3 is developing above expectation in some of the key European and US markets.

“Therefore, in order to make sure that all customers take delivery of their ordered BMW i3 within an appropriate timeframe, we have decided to postpone the market introduction in some countries, like South Africa, where the BMW i3 and i8 have not yet been on sale.”

The i3 electric vehicle is able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds, and weighs less than 1 200 kg.

The car uses carbon-fibre materials to reduce weight and improve driving performance.

Top speed is limited to 150 km/h.

The more expensive range extender version includes a 647 cc, 25 kW two-cylinder petrol engine that acts as a generator to extend the battery’s range. It never drives the vehicle, however.

The standard i3 has a range of 130 km to 160 km, while the range extender version can travel up to 300 km. It is somewhat slower to reach 100 km/h, at 7.9 seconds.

The BMW i8 hybrid, weighing 1 490 kg, can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. Fuel consumption is stated as 2.5 ℓ/100 km.

 

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

Comments

Showroom

SBS Tanks
SBS Tanks

SBS® Tanks is a leading provider of innovative water security solutions with offices in Southern Africa, East and West Africa, the USA and an...

VISIT SHOWROOM 
Environmental Assurance (Pty) Ltd.
Environmental Assurance (Pty) Ltd.

ENVASS is a customer and solutions-driven environmental consultancy with established divisions, serviced by highly qualified and experienced...

VISIT SHOWROOM 

Latest Multimedia

sponsored by

Photo of Martin Creamer
On-The-Air (15/03/2024)
15th March 2024 By: Martin Creamer
Magazine round up | 15 March 2024
Magazine round up | 15 March 2024
15th March 2024

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION







sq:0.062 0.108s - 158pq - 2rq
Subscribe Now