BMW i. Latest News.
Green energy for BMW i cars.
Strategic cooperation between NATURSTROM AG and BMW AG supplies electricity from regenerative sources.
In future, NATURSTROM AG and BMW AG will be working together closely in supplying energy from regenerative sources for electric cars. As part of the strategic cooperation, BMW i customers in Germany will be able to acquire a tailor-made green electricity package for emission-free driving with BMW i cars.
BMW i wants to achieve a comprehensively sustainable product life cycle. This is why – starting from the development stage of the innovative vehicle concepts – new standards are being set in lightweight construction using carbon fibre and the thoroughly optimized eDrive drivetrain technology. Even the production of the BMW i vehicles is powered 100% by clean wind energy. And with the green electricity package, emission-free mobility becomes a daily experience for BMW i drivers.
"With NATURSTROM AG at our side, we have a partner capable of offering the best supply of green electricity. NATURSTROM supplies 100% renewable electricity with a very high wind energy component, which is largely generated in Germany. The electricity product that we shall be supplying together in the future will be an attractive offer for our BMW i customers in Germany," explains Cosmas Asam, Head of Cooperation at BMW AG.
More information at http://www.naturstrom.de/
BMW i. App.
Users can explore the new BMW i App to find out if the brand's vision can better their own, tracking their urban driving experiences to discover which BMW i vehicle best suits their urban needs.
The heart of the app is the "Born Electric Analyzer," a tool that connects the user's journey through the city to a BMW i electric vehicle. iPhone and Android tracking capabilities allow users to trace their path through the city and pause to check mileage, petrol usage and other key driving statistics. The final results of the "Born Electric Analyzer" offer an in-depth look at the journey and a recommendation for the driver's ideal BMW i vehicle.
Alternatively, users can engage with a simulated journey planner and experience the benefits of BMW i solutions from home. Entering start- and endpoints results in a BMW i3 or BMW i8 recommendation, depending on the needs of the user.
Car fans can explore both models, swiping through detailed interior and exterior views of the vehicles. Those looking for mobile solutions in fields such as car sharing or parking will find a host of options to explore: rich video and image material provide a comprehensive look at the different offers.
You can find the iPhone version of the app here.
The Android version can be downloaded in the Google Play store.
How it works:
DriveNow and ParkNow Launch in San Francisco.
Electric, premium car sharing and parking makes its way stateside.
At a press conference with San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee, BMW Group Member of the Board Dr. Ian Robertson today announced the upcoming launch of ParkNow, an innovative mobile parking solution that is a joint venture with Urban Mobility, and provided new details about DriveNow, a unique premium car-sharing service which features a fleet of BMW ActiveE all-electric vehicles. San Francisco serves as the initial U.S. market for each service.
American drivers will get to experience flexible mobility at its best today. DriveNow, an innovative car sharing program from BMW i and MINI is now available in and around San Francisco. Specially designed for city inhabitants, DriveNow lets drivers take a spontaneous trip in a premium vehicle, without the costs and rules associated with most car sharing programs. Indeed, it’s as convenient as owning your own car. And, for San Francisco, the program comes with lots of surprises, including a fleet of 80 all-new, fully-electric BMW ActiveE cars. With its powerful electric motor, aerodynamic body, and advanced lithium-ion battery technology, the BMW ActiveE is the ultimate driving machine, now with zero exhaust emissions.
ParkNow, which will be available to drivers beginning in September, is an online mobile parking service that enables users to pay for parking in advance, with guaranteed access and clearly defined rates, based on their personal preferences. Customers can search for parking using ParkNow’s mobile app or website, reserve, pay and then be navigated directly to the parking facility, reducing time spent looking for parking, as well as emissions. There are currently 14 ParkNow locations in and around San Francisco piloting the system.
Find out more about BMW i Mobility Services
or the international DriveNow program at www.drive-now.com and www.park-now.com
BMW i Brand Store in London.
The BMW Group presented its first BMW i Store worldwide in London, unveiling a showroom that lets you experience visionary electric cars and is focused on sustainable mobility.
Alongside the presentation of the BMW i3 Concept with a new interior colour and materials concept, the "360° ELECTRIC" mobility product and service package to ensure convenient electro mobility was introduced to the public.
BMW i Makes its Big Screen Debut.
European premiere of "Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol" at BMW Welt in Munich on December 9th 2011 welcomes Tom Cruise and co-stars to the red carpet. The BMW i8 Concept is successor to the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Car which appears alongside many other BMW models in the recently released film.
With its ultra-modern architecture, BMW Welt played perfect host to the blockbuster event, which brought the film's star together with actress Paula Patton, producer Bryan Burk and Academy Award-winning producer Brad Bird.
In the film, Cruise can be seen driving the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics — whose successor, the BMW i8, will be ready for series production by 2014. Thanks to the fascinating sports car's wide range of technical features, Cruise's character Ethan Hunt is able to steer smartly, safely — and of course swiftly — through the city of Mumbai's notorious traffic.
"Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol" opened in cinemas worldwide December 15th.
BMW i is now on foursquare.
foursquare, the world's leading location-based social network, is now host to hundreds of tips for sustainable design, curated by BMW i.
As an ever-expanding series of environmental issues leaves us to confront the way we shop, eat, sleep and explore, artisans and entrepreneurs all over the world are developing responsible initiatives better suited for a new set of behavioral needs. BMW i is where thorough sustainability, innovative mobile solutions and heightened design meet – and wherever you live, work or travel, there are venues who also uphold these principles.
With BMW i and foursquare, discover the parks, urban gardens, museums, restaurants, monuments, hotels, installations and transportation systems that advance your city forward. Get to know the architecture, art and industry around you that shares our vision: premium, visionary solutions for a clean and mobile future.
BMW i at the IAA 2011.
At the IAA 2011 in Frankfurt, BMW i was a central element of the BMW presentation. The unique BMW i section, placed in the middle on the hall and elevated above the other exhibits, was built from re-used and sustainable materials, with a strong focus on energy-balance.
Watch the video from the construction of the stand below:
BMW i Trailer Music - Making Of.
The music for the new BMW i brand trailer was especially created by renowned Hollywood composer, Abel Korzeniowski. He became known for his music in Tom Ford's directing debut, "A Single Man", which earned him a Golden Globe nomination. Already in the first BMW i brand trailer, the piece "Swimming" from that film can be heard.
Korzeniowski's compositions have their own unique style. He creates a sophisticated blend of classical orchestral elements with electronic sounds and modern ambient music.
"The whole concept BMW i really inspired me ... you get the impression of a new but familiar technology, not a classic invention concerns, but a very human technology. Just like the message 'Born Electric'." explains the composer Abel Korzeniowski.
The exclusive BMW i composition for the new brand film was recorded at the legendary Abbey Road Studios in London with a full orchestra.
BMW i. Visions of Future Mobility.
What is your vision of future mobility? BMW i recently asked people all over the world – in London, Berlin, Paris, New York, Los Angeles and Tokyo – and got expectedly diverse answers. But one thing became very clear: significant change is seen as inevitable. The time for this change is nearly upon us. Find out yourself in the video below...
BMW Plant Landshut: Ready for Carbon Fibre Production.
The BMW Landshut Plant begins carbon parts production for car of the future - the new CFRP Innovation and Production Centre with 100 new employees and record-level energy conservation.
The BMW production site for carbon-fiber-reinforced-plastics (CFRP) was inaugurated on March 2nd 2012. The new CFRP Innovation and Production Centre at the BMW Plant in Landshut, Germany will produce ultra-lightweight carbon parts that will compose about one third of body components for BMW i models, with production beginning in 2013.
"In carbon we see a meaningful high-tech material of the future," explains Dr. Herbert Diess, member of the BMW AG board for the Purchasing and Supplier Network. "We believe in this material — and we are trailblazers in this field."
The new production site was completed only eight months after the ground-breaking ceremony in July of 2010 and sets an ecological standard with its significant reduction in primary energy use, with energy consumption 25% below legal regulations.
The new site will also produce an additional 100 jobs in CFRP production. The BMW Plant in Landshut employs a total of approximately 3,000 workers and for more than 10 years has been an expert in carbon.
BMW i and Bridgestone.
Creating a unique tire for a unique vehicle.
When the BMW i concept was introduced to Bridgestone, it was immediately clear that it would require a unique tyre design to deliver the expected performance targets.
BMW i vehicles have unique technical characteristics such as light weight and a weight distribution different from any other car, that need to be considered when designing tyres for the vehicle.
BMW Group and Sixt AG launch DriveNow.
DriveNow, the unique and innovative car sharing venture by the BMW Group and Sixt AG was announced in Munich on Monday, March 21, 2011.
From June 9th onwards – initially in Munich and later in Berlin - the two companies will join forces to offer a modern mobility concept under the brand-name DriveNow; this new product will combine vehicles and service of the highest quality with simple, flexible usage. DriveNow is the first car sharing concept to place an emphasis on efficient premium vehicles and comprehensive service. Vehicles may be hired and dropped off wherever the customer needs them, thereby clearly differentiating DriveNow from products offered by other competitors.
Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of the BMW AG for Sales and Marketing stated: “As a mobility provider, the BMW Group is not simply an automobile manufacturer. There is a growing demand for flexible mobility products in urban areas. DriveNow’s premium car sharing services are aimed precisely at this gap in the market. We are aiming to launch a profitable new line of business while at the same time introducing potential new customers to our brands.”
DriveNow will be offered under the new BMW sub-brand BMW i and will, during the initial phase, offer various BMW 1 Series and MINI models. All cars involved in the project are premium vehicles with at least four seats, luxury fittings (e.g. parking assistance, air conditioning, heated seats, etc.) and fitted with extremely efficient engines. The plan is also to use electric vehicles in the future.
Customers can find available vehicles via the internet under www.drive-now.com, via a smartphone app or simply at the roadside. Vehicles can be used immediately without advance reservation or they may be booked in advance via internet or smartphone app. The system is “keyless”: a conventional car key is not necessary. DriveNow vehicles can be opened and closed with a chip on the driving license and activated by pressing the start button.
DriveNow was launched during an event in Munich. Watch scenes and interviews from the launch in the clip below:
After the initial launch in Munich and Berlin, DriveNow will be launched in other European cities during the coming years.
The Launch of BMW i.
BMW i, the new BMW sub-brand focused on developing sustainable mobility solutions was launched on Monday, February 21, 2011.
"BMW i represents a new movement in premium mobility. With the introduction of this new sub-brand, the BMW Group reaffirms its leadership as the most innovative and sustainable premium car company", Ian Robertson explained during the press conference, "Its products and services have been conceived around a revolutionary approach: purpose designed and purpose built for sustainable, premium mobility. It's a new day in our industry; a new era for individual mobility. This is BMW i – Born Electric", he said.
BMW i will launch with two vehicles. The fully electric BMW i3 – formerly known as the MegaCity Vehicle, and the BMW i8, a plug-in hybrid vehicle which provides both the efficiency of an electric vehicle, with unbeatable fuel efficiency and sports car performance.
“Both cars have been designed specifically for their respective alternative drive systems. We used the innovative architecture and CFRP (Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic) to cancel out practically all of the extra weight added by the batteries. For our customers this means superior driving dynamics combined with significantly increased range using electric power,” explained Klaus Draeger. It was announced that, like the BMW i3, the BMW i8 will also be manufactured at the BMW plant in Leipzig.
BMW i encompasses a raft of developments. “Mobility requirements are changing in rapidly expanding megacities” Ian Robertson stated. “Our commitment to car-enabled mobility services, like BMW ConnectedDrive, will be significantly expanded under BMW i. We’ll also grow our car-related premium mobility services. What’s truly groundbreaking is that we’ll begin offering car-independent premium mobility services. BMW i aims to provide customized mobility solutions across a seamless network of premium products and premium services.”
To achieve this, a Venture Capital company was founded in New York City, BMW i Ventures. BMW i Ventures aims to invest in, and build long-term partnerships with projects which have high potential in the field of mobility services. Ian Robertson announced MyCityWay as the first strategic partnership: “As a mobile app, MyCityWay provides users with information on public transportation, parking availability, and local entertainment for over 40 cities in the US. Another 40 cities will be part of the global rollout, including Munich, of course.”
Leipzig: The Future Mobility Plant
The BMW high-tech plant in Leipzig will be the first production site for zero-emission electric cars in Germany. Around €400 million will have been invested in the production of the BMW i3 by 2013. The expansion of the plant will create approximately 800 jobs.
On Friday 5th November, 2010, the German Chancellor, Dr. Angela Merkel, and Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Dr. Norbert Reithofer, celebrated the launch of the plant expansion in Leipzig. Guests of honour Stanislaw Tillich, Prime Minister of the German state of Saxony, and Chris Gregoire, the Governor of Washington State, home of the new BMW carbon fibre joint venture plant, also joined the ceremony.
"By producing the MegaCity Vehicle in Germany, BMW Group is demonstrating a clear commitment to Germany as a hub for high-tech development. With this vehicle we are revolutionizing automotive design and production, and offering our customers the first purpose-built electric vehicle for urban areas. This will be the world's first volume-produced car with a passenger compartment made from lightweight CFRP, as less weight enables a longer range," explained Dr. Reithofer. "We have made a conscious decision to produce the car in Germany, at our plant in Leipzig – our newest and most cutting-edge facility with the most flexible infrastructure," he added.
Construction begins for Electro-Mobility
The expansion of the high-tech plant in Leipzig into a production centre for electro-mobilty has started in March 2011. In a first step, the building which will house the construction of CFRP components, will be built. Body parts made out of the extremely light and strong material will be formed here.
In a next step, another building for the production of plastic parts and later on in the year, two further production halls will be constructed. In these new halls, the bodies of the BMW i3 and BMW i8 will be put together, fitted out and then attached to the drive module. The first vehicles should roll off of the production line in these new buildings in 2013.
A New Dimension in Sustainability
The emphasis of BMW on sustainability extends far beyond the emission-free operation of the MegaCity Vehicle itself. BMW Group commits itself to highly sustainable production targets. For example, the company aims to reduce its energy requirement by 50% and its water usage by 70% per vehicle. Moreover, it aims to ensure that 100% of the energy used in production comes from renewable sources. With these measures, BMW Group sets new sustainability benchmarks in the automotive industry. It is the company's belief that only by adopting this all-encompassing, holistic approach to sustainability can real progress be made.
