Rumored to be called either the i5 or i7, with target volumes in the tens of thousands of sales worldwide annually, this upcoming plug-in Bimmer will be loosely based off the long-wheelbase iteration of the next-generation BMW 5 Series.
We suspect the i5/i7 will launch in or around the 2018 timeframe at a price comparable to the Tesla Model S.
Unfortunately, rumor has it that BMW will forego the all-electric route in favor of a plug-in hybrid in the form of a range-extended electric car.
It seems that the i5/i7 will basically be a more electric i8 that’s capable of hauling entire families around.
According to CAR:
“While suspension, steering, brakes and the basic packaging will by and large be adopted from the G38 5-series, the drivetrain of i5/i7 has evidently been inspired by the i8. At a glance, the layout actually looks remarkably like an i8 with the combustion engine up front and the main e-motor in the back. Again, there is no mechanical connection between the front and rear wheels. Although it is labelled PHEV, this, too, is in fact an electric vehicle with a more powerful range extender (BEVX).”
BMW i8 Cutaway
BMW i8 Cutaway
Electric range is pegged at 80-ish miles, rather solid for a REx, but not competition for Tesla.
CAR adds:
“To underline its low-emission talents, i5/i7 boasts two e-motors, not only one like the i8. Depending on the driving situation and the momentary performance duties, it can be electric front-wheel drive, electric rear-wheel drive or petrol-electric all-wheel drive. While the i8 makes do with a 1.5-litre three-cylinder on steroids, the four-door sister model will likely feature a more relaxed and smoother running four-cylinder rated at around 245bhp.”
If these rumors turn out to be true, then we’ll be disappointed in BMW’s effort. With 200-mile pure electric cars available today and more coming soon, there’s really no need to go the REx route, especially in such a high end car where battery costs can easily be recovered in purchase price. We applaud the effort, but by 2018, cars such as the i5/i7 need to be pure electric, not overly complicated hybrids.
26 Şubat 2015 Perşembe
BMW i5/i7 On The Horizon – Concept Expected To Debut At 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show
Rumored to be called either the i5 or i7, with target volumes in the tens of thousands of sales worldwide annually, this upcoming plug-in Bimmer will be loosely based off the long-wheelbase iteration of the next-generation BMW 5 Series.
We suspect the i5/i7 will launch in or around the 2018 timeframe at a price comparable to the Tesla Model S.
Unfortunately, rumor has it that BMW will forego the all-electric route in favor of a plug-in hybrid in the form of a range-extended electric car.
It seems that the i5/i7 will basically be a more electric i8 that’s capable of hauling entire families around.
According to CAR:
“While suspension, steering, brakes and the basic packaging will by and large be adopted from the G38 5-series, the drivetrain of i5/i7 has evidently been inspired by the i8. At a glance, the layout actually looks remarkably like an i8 with the combustion engine up front and the main e-motor in the back. Again, there is no mechanical connection between the front and rear wheels. Although it is labelled PHEV, this, too, is in fact an electric vehicle with a more powerful range extender (BEVX).”
BMW i8 Cutaway
BMW i8 Cutaway
Electric range is pegged at 80-ish miles, rather solid for a REx, but not competition for Tesla.
CAR adds:
“To underline its low-emission talents, i5/i7 boasts two e-motors, not only one like the i8. Depending on the driving situation and the momentary performance duties, it can be electric front-wheel drive, electric rear-wheel drive or petrol-electric all-wheel drive. While the i8 makes do with a 1.5-litre three-cylinder on steroids, the four-door sister model will likely feature a more relaxed and smoother running four-cylinder rated at around 245bhp.”
If these rumors turn out to be true, then we’ll be disappointed in BMW’s effort. With 200-mile pure electric cars available today and more coming soon, there’s really no need to go the REx route, especially in such a high end car where battery costs can easily be recovered in purchase price. We applaud the effort, but by 2018, cars such as the i5/i7 need to be pure electric, not overly complicated hybrids.
2016 Chevrolet Volt Presented By Bowman Chevrolet
At least one Chevrolet dealership is overly enthusiastic over the 2016 Chevy Volt. Above is video from Bowman Chevrolet. Below, the video description posted by the dealership.
Now, if only all the dealers were this thrilled.
Bowman Chevrolet Presents 2016 Chevy Volt
Bowman Chevrolet Presents 2016 Chevy Volt
An EXCLUSIVE look at the brand new 2016 Chevrolet Volt, no other dealership has a review of this car, just unveiled at the NAIAS! We are Your Online Dealer!
Chevy has done a tremendous job with the second generation Volt. 50 Mile EV Range, Over 400 Mile Total Range, 100 LBS Lighter, All New Voltec System, Seating For Five, The New Volt Is AWESOME!
The 2016 Volt features:
-New two-motor drive unit is up to 12 percent more efficient and 100 pounds lighter (45 kg) than the first-generation drive unit
-Two-motor design enables 19 percent stronger zero-to-30 mph acceleration
-Battery capacity has increased to 18.4 kWh using 192 cells (96 fewer than current generation) with weight reduced by more than 20 pounds
-Regen on Demand™ feature enables driver control of energy regeneration via a convenient paddle on the back of the steering wheel
-New 1.5L range extender, designed to use regular unleaded fuel, offers a combined GM-estimated fuel efficiency of 41 mpg (EPA estimate pending)
-Stronger body structure and quieter ride
-New braking system with improved capability and blended Regen feel
-New, five-passenger seating with available rear heated seats
-Location-based charging capability
-120V portable cord set has a simpler, compact design with more convenient storage location
-Available illuminated charge port
Tesla Gigafactory: New Photos Show Progress On Battery Plant In Nevada
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To be able to build and sell its planned $35,000 Tesla Model 3 electric sedan, Tesla Motors must first build its lithium-ion cell "gigafactory" in Nevada and then test and validate the batteries it produces.
But if the latest photos are any indication, work is proceeding rapidly on the huge facility.
DON'T MISS: Tesla Gigafactory For Electric-Car Batteries: Photos Show Site Work Continues (Jan 2015)
Photographs taken yesterday by local resident and electric-car advocate Bob Tregilus show that more of the main building is framed in and roofed.
It appears as though roughly one quarter of the full area of the two-story plant has now been framed and covered, but obviously there is still a huge area to be erected and closed in.
Tesla battery gigafactory site, Reno, Nevada, Feb 25, 2015 [photo: CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Bob Tregilus]
We'll leave it to readers to calculate how much has been built, how much remains, the rough pace of progress achieved over the seven weeks since the last set of photos--and what that might indicate for a completion date for the structure.
Constructing the factory building itself, of course, is just the first stage. Then Tesla and its battery partner Panasonic must begin to install and test the various machines that fabricate the electrodes.
ALSO SEE: The Tesla Gigafactory Is Big; Really, Really Big--This Big, In Fact
To do so, however, a variety of compounds must themselves be created from the raw materials like lithium and graphite that the plant will be supplied with.
And those steps must all be conducted in clean-room conditions similar to those of the most sophisticated wafer-fabrication plants for the microprocessor industry
Rendering of Tesla battery gigafactory outside Reno, Nevada, Sep 2014
The Model 3 is still targeted to enter production late in 2017, but the gigafactory must be up and running at sufficient capacity to produce enough cells and completed battery packs before then.
That's an ambitious schedule for a project whose cost could ultimately reach $5 billion.
MORE: Tesla's Battery Gigafactory May Achieve Nirvana: $100 Per Kilowatt-Hour, Report Says
Still, Tesla is accustomed to working in the spotlight of public attention.
And the company has already achieved several goals widely thought to be close to impossible--including the launch of what may be the world's fastest production sedan.
So perhaps building the world's largest single plant for lithium-ion batteries is all in the day's work. For all the latest stories and updates, see our Tesla Gigafactory News page.
PHOTO LICENSE: Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International by Bob Tregilus. Permission specifically granted by photographer for use on this commercial website.
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