BMWhas unveiled the exciting newi3 and i8 concept cars which are aimed at sustainability and zero-emissions. These vehicles will be the first electrically powered cars from the BMW i sub-brand, with the launch of the i3 coming in 2013 and the i8 in 2014.

BMW i3 and i8 display impressive electric capability

The i3 concept has a range of 150km and is intended for use in an urban environment. It comes with a 125 kW electric motor, rear-wheel drive and impressive handling. Weight was a kept to a minimum in this vehicle thanks to the LifeDrive architecture, allowing the vehicle to weigh in at just 1 250kg. It also comes with 4 seats and 200 litre luggage compartment. The BMW i3 is able to complete 0-100km/h in less than 8 seconds and can reach 80% charge (off a high speed charger) in just one hour.

The BMW i8 comes with a 260 kW engine which allows it to complete 0-100km/h in just 5 seconds with a top speed of 250km/h. It boasts a fuel economy of less than 3 litres/100km, a figure other sports cars would love to emulate. The i8 comes with a plug-in hybrid drive and has a range of 35km in electric mode, with a 3-cylinder petrol engine taking over for more dynamic driving.

The BMW i3 and i8 will be built in Germany’s Leipzig plant. Look for more information on these vehicles closer to their release date.