BMW i, the new BMW sub-brand, represents visionary cars and services, inspiring design and an entirely new concept of mobility – all with a focus on sustainability. In a first move, two models will be launched under the new sub-brand from 2013 – the BMW i3 and BMW i8. Both models show the potential range of BMW i principles being applied to two completely different vehicle concepts. The BMW i3 – previously known as the Megacity Vehicle – will be the BMW Group’s first series-produced car for urban areas to be driven by electric power alone. The BMW i8, meanwhile, is based on the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept study. Its plug-in hybrid drive blends the sporting ability of a high-performance machine with the fuel consumption and emissions of a small car. Both vehicles will be manufactured at BMW’s Leipzig plant.
The BMW i brand comprises vehicles and services developed since 2007 as part of project i, a BMW Group think tank exploring sustainable mobility solutions. There is a widespread desire in megacities for solutions which intelligently combine the benefits of various mobility concepts in a single package – an integral component of BMW i will therefore be an additional range of mobility services, which can also be used independently of the cars. To achieve this, a Venture Capital company was founded in New York City, BMW i Ventures, with an investment totalling up to 100 million US dollars.
New York-based My City Way is the first company in which BMW i Ventures has taken a stake. As a mobile app, My City Way 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.
