For the past 7 years, the BMW i3 has played the role of an ‘ambassador’ for pure electric driving pleasure, sustainability and intelligent connectivity in urban areas. These qualities have helped to make it the world’s best-selling electric car in the premium compact segment. Soon, at the coming CES (Consumer Electronic Show) in Las Vegas, the BMW Group will show a mobility experience tailored entirely to the passenger’s individual needs – the BMW i3 Urban Suite.
Transformed i3 interior
To achieve this, a standard BMW i3 underwent a complete transformation (with only the driver’s seat and dashboard left untouched) so that its interior now has the relaxed feel of a boutique hotel. The aim was to create an inviting space with a high feel-good factor in which to spend time – the perfect place for relaxing, enjoying in-car entertainment or focusing on work in a laid-back setting.
The changes made include, among other things, the installation of a large, comfortable seat with footrest, a screen that flips down from the headliner, and a personal Sound Zone.
Sustainable mobility
The i3 Urban Suite also represents a logical step forward in the BMW Group’s commitment to sustainable mobility. The car is underpinned by a holistic approach to making responsible use of resources, encompassing the powertrain with zero local emissions, the careful selection of materials and the production processes involved.
Fabrics containing recycled materials therefore come together with certified wood and olive-tanned leather, while the floormats are made from recyclable materials that can be fed back into the materials cycle, as per circular economy principles.
In preparation for the CES, a fleet of standard i3 EVs were converted into Urban Suites in Munich and then shipped to Las Vegas where they can also be seen moving around the streets of the city that regards itself as the ‘Entertainment Capital of the World’. Indeed, anyone wishing to be chauffeur-driven to their desired destination can use a special app to hail one of the i3 Urban Suites.
The car will offer its passenger a first-hand experience of the BMW Group’s innovative and sustainable mobility concept, while clearly demonstrating that luxury travel in the future will have nothing to do with vehicle size.
The i3 is part of the BMW i family which is a comprehensive concept for sustainable mobility. The i3 with eDrive is designed especially for cities with restrictions for certain vehicles. The i3s impresses with its brisk acceleration, from low speed or even from standstill – and with a high-voltage lithium-ion battery with an everyday range claimed to be up to 260 kms. Currently, the i3s being sold in Malaysia is priced at RM278,800 (excluding insurance).
