Drive to the future with the BMW i3

MOST  human beings know that the planet is dying. Natural disasters are now referred to as an effect of global warming and not by an angered God.

BMW i3’s carbon footprint is around a third smaller than the BMW 118d, the 2008 World Green Car.

One of the main reasons behind global warming would be the vehicle emissions.

If you are not familiar with this, know that the carbon dioxide that comes out of our car’s exhaust pipe travels to the lower atmosphere.

The ozone layer is like our force field that deflects the harmful UV rays so that we don’t burn. But because of pollution, the ozone layer is being depleted, causing the sun’s rays to heat up the layer of pollution, therefore creating what is called the greenhouse effect.

This greenhouse effect makes the temperature of the world rise, and is the cause of the rapid meltdown of glaciers and icebergs all over the world.

This increases the level of sea water, and effectively changes the internal workings of the planet. In short the planet is getting hot, and we are about to drown.

Fortunately for us, some people are already looking at options to lessen this. And one of their answers is the electric vehicle.

There are several electric vehicles now in the market. It has aleady broken out of the hippie stage in the Philippines.

Some notable ones are the Toyota Prius, which Leonardo DiCaprio drives, Tesla, Chevy Volt, and  Nissan Leaf.

BMW has released its own version with really high-tech features, and I had the opportunity of driving one in Singapore.

THE ABSENCE of the B-pillar gives easy access to the front and back row seats.

The BMW i3 is the first volume-produced model driven purely by electric power, and is therefore emission-free. It is designed for environmentally conscious urban dwellers.

BMW i3’s carbon footprint is around a third smaller than that of the BMW 118d, the World Green Car of the Year in  2008, and around 50 percent smaller if the car is running on power generated from renewable sources.

The i3 is a compact vehicle with carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CRFP) for passenger cell or life module. CRFP is  the robust plastic outer skin attached to the aluminum Drive module, which houses all the drive and chassis technology.

Because of this, there are no B-pillars (the metal post that splits your front and back doors in a sedan), thus giving easy access to the two rows of seats.

GETTING tips inside the i3 is a breeze without the usual engine noise.

The raised seats give a tall and spacious feel while driving the vehicle.

The BMW i3 drives eerily quiet, nudging you to double check if you had already started the engine. The engine, however, is very responsive and agile.

The perfect combination of good driving dynamics is achieved, thanks to the BMW eDrive technology, the customary BMW rear wheel drive, and the revolutionary lightweight design.

BMW’s eDrive technology includes an electric motor and high-performance lithium-ion battery developed and manufactured independently by the BMW Group.

The i3 has a maximum output of 125 kW/170 HP, a peak torque of 250 Nm (184 lb-ft), and a battery that can be recharged from a domestic power socket, a BMW I Wallbox, or a public charging station.

THE COCKPIT hosts full connectivity tools with the outside world.

The i3 looks like a smart car on steroids. It is a thinner version of the X1, but with carriage-like features.

The dramatic color combination adds to the futuristic look. The glazed and matte black accents plus the big tires complete the sporty look.

The i3, along with the futuristic i8, are part of the Efficient Dynamics strategy, BMW’s ongoing evolution of technology aimed at steadily reducing both fuel consumption and emissions.

The other part of the Efficient Dynamics strategy involves BMW’s revolutionary vehicle and drivetrain concepts.

This includes the technology where the energy brought about by braking is converted into electricity and stored in a special battery that powers the other functions of the vehicle.

A number of high-end European vehicles and some Japanese brands like Mazda are already doing this.

According to a market study, women play close attention to fuel efficiency and how this impacts the environment. It is a criterion when buying a car.

Men, on the other hand, normally forgo this in favor of performance.

Although the i3 is not yet available in the Philippines, it will be in the near future. Sooner or later, we can all drive to save the world.

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