Don't ask me what it is about this car specifically, but I am obsessed with it. It's a technological marvel of engineering and styling. Starting with the most embarrassing shot of the day, here is the side profile of the i3.
As you can (mostly) see, the shape of this vehicle is very different. Much of the design is driven by the underlying engineering. Unlike almost every single vehicle for sale, this car uses a carbon fiber frame, which surrounds the lithium-ion batteries. BMW likes to stress the modular nature of the car. The frame for example is the "Life Module" - since it surrounds and protects the passengers. More interesting than the marketing monikers is the actual construction, which is indeed modular.
Weight: Carbon fiber has many notable qualities: rigidity, weight and cost are chief among them. Long used in racing, automakers have been working with and trying to make it work for the last 15 years. Forming, binding and layering carbon fiber is very different from stamping sheet metal and has consumed hundreds of millions of R&D dollars. The material is ideal for this model since electric cars tend to be heavy due to the weight of the batteries. In addition to having a carbon fiber frame, most body panels of the vehicle are plastic, which also saves weight. How much does it weigh? An astounding 2,600 lbs. A Toyota Prius weights about 2,900 lbs., a 328i about 3,300 lbs. and a Chevy Volt about 3,700 lbs.
Styling: Like a Tesla Model S, the BMW i3 has a very low center of gravity due to the location of the batteries below the passenger floor. Having the mass down low enables a more boxy design without the inherent handling effects. While I did not have a chance to drive the i3, various press accounts are very positive. Because the car is so new and groundbreaking, BMW decided to make it look new and groundbreaking as well. Since the aim of the "i" line of vehicles is to minimize environmental impact, much of the interior materials are recycled or made from renewable resources, such as plant fibers. While that sounds questionable, the materials look and feel great in person. The top and bottom of the door panels are made of plant fibers. It's strange and strangely appealing.
Due to the strength of the "Life Cell", BMW was able to do without a B-Pillar, the removal of which allows for small suicide doors to access the rear seats. As you can see below, the bottom of the door frame shows the raw carbon fiber.
The instrument cluster is electronic as to be expected. Even here, BMW chose an unconventional route by having a floating primary display for the driver and another, larger, display that floats in the center and controls navigation, radio, etc. As the BMW press photo below shows, the dash has a horizontal wood accent running across it that provides a start contract to the otherwise large, gray dash.
Courtesy of BMW
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