BMW i8 Plug-In Hybrid Olympic Commercial

BMW officially launched its advertising campaign for the BMW i brand with the start of NBC's Sochi 2014 Olympic broadcast coverage featuring the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid, high-performance electric vehicle. "Hello Future" uses the words of Sir Arthur C. Clarke, inventor, futurist and co-author of the screenplay for the 1986 film 2001: A Space Odyssey, to offer the arrival of BMW i as proof that the future is as fantastic as he predicted.

2013 LA Auto Show Video: BMW's Ian Robertson

Dr. Ian Robertson (HonDSc), Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales and Marketing BMW, Sales Channels BMW Group, pictured on the BMW K 1600 GTL Exclusive motorcycle discusses Los Angeles Auto Show 2013 introductions and sales growth. (Click on the link below)

Los Angeles Auto Show introductions included the new BMW 4 Series Convertible coming in the first quarter of 2014 starting at $49,675, the new BMW i8 plug-in hybrid 2+2 comes to the market in the second quarter of 2014 at $135,700, the BMW Concept X4 will arrive next year, the BMW i3 with 170 horsepower hybrid-synchronous electric motor good for 80-100 miles of emission-free driving will be available in the second quarter with a base MSRP of $41,350 and a range-extender model starting MSRP of $45,200.

The 2014 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo, also displayed in Los Angeles, is currently available in the US as a 535i for $60,925, 535i xDrive for $63,225, 550i for $68,825 and 550i for $71,125.

IAN ROBERTSON INTERVIEW.

BMW i8 Plug-In Hybrid To Debut Next Month at Frankfurt Auto Show

The 362 horsepower all-wheel-drive BMW i8 plug-in hybrid prototype combines a 131 horsepower electric drive system and a lithium-ion battery to power the front wheels via an integrated two-stage automatic transmission with a 231 horsepower three-cylinder turbocharged 1.5-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo gas engine to power to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. The BMW i8 can operate solely on electric power with an expected 0 – 60 mph time of under 4.5 seconds with a range of up to approximately 22 miles and a top speed of about 75 mph. The maximum driving range of the BMW i8 on a full fuel tank and with a fully charged battery is over 310 miles

The BMW i8 has a curb weight of less than 3,285 lbs with its battery pack situated low down in the middle of the vehicle, resulting in a low and central center of gravity, which improves safety. In the US a full recharge takes approximately 3½ hours from a conventional 120 volt, 12 amp household circuit or approximately 1½ hours from a 220 volt Level 2 charger.

The BMW i8 will make its world debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show next month and arrive in BMW showrooms in 2014.