Clueless_Collector
16320
It all started in 2007...
There is a reason why BMW and other great companies last 100 years or more. They keep thinking forward, about the future.
The BMW i program started in 2007. BMW assembled a small team of people, "cramped" in a small office or unused location in Munich BMW area, to design, think about what is the future of driving going to be?
Mobility, connected drive, sensors, efficient energy, renewal energy etc.
It is very impressive how they came this far and develop such great machines that combines technology, performance.
A visit to their Leipzig factor where the 2 series, i3 and i8 are assembled is really a wonderful experience.
This factor makes about 100 i3s and 6~7 i8s a day, shipped to the whole world. The assembly lines, unfortunately no cameras, are top notched. The amount of materials, trucks going in and out of Leipzig factory is mind boggling.
They raised their own bees and produces great honey too!
The team to assemble the i8 are the best employees who got the highest annual ratings/reviews (that's good to know).
This was back in June, and I planned this around with my tour of Germany, Prague and Vienna, also visited Lange....an amazing vacation.
Rgds
Raymond
New for 2017, striking Photonic Red.
Greeted by an i8 at the Leipzig BMW factory entrance.
Cool design, cars-in-progress traveling on conveyors when you look up.
This design won an architectural prize.
Presentation starting.
This guy said he love mechanical watches, similar engineering marvel, didn't get chance to talk more about watches with him.
It all started in 2007, came a long way.
Life module, carbon core.
Focus on renewal, recycle, energy saving, efficiency etc.
Spent a lot of time on R&D, materials
Front fascia was light and strong, my son can lift this.
A little over 1 year, ~2800 miles later, still loving it.
Wearing this lately.
Had to wash it after the rainy days.
Smell fresh - arm pit?
Mini wind tunnel
Good workout, love to hand wash my cars.
Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) all around cabin.
Google self driving car?
Factory tour ends here, very impressive.
It all started in 2007...
There is a reason why BMW and other great companies last 100 years or more. They keep thinking forward, about the future. The BMW i program started in 2007. BMW assembled a small team of people, "cramped" in a small office or unused location in Munich BMW...
Thank you, my friend. Yes, my bad...fortunately my office is only <3 miles away from home...
Or unfortunately, and I got other work horse SUV to drive, hence the low mileage. It is fun to drive, and not much gas needed since the electric can cover my local commute. Rgds Raymond
Terrific, Raymond.
I love the pictures from Leipzig. And, of course, the BMWs themselves.
Nice toy
but all these hybrid/electric cars are not so technologically advanced like Tesla cars. German manufacturers have realized the threat coming from Nevada and they've increased R&D in real electric car. I8 is a toy, the artificially generated sound to impro...
True about the acceleration on Tesla, like a bullet....
but I still prefer the option to top up my gas tank when I am traveling. The anxiety of not having enough electric juice is way too much for me for now. The sound is just making the driving more fun, so you prefer no sound at all? The design of Tesla Mode...
Disagree
I need a car to move from home to work. Cars engines are technology of 18th century!!! It's time to rethink the car, but not in the way commercials and marketing try to sell their stuff. Your fear is the same of some friends with whom i discuss; but very ...
Agree
To disagree, I hope Life is a cycle, we use walkers and diapers when young and later in life, haha...hopefully not for me! Things might fall back to basics, less is more kind of and there's always something for someone. It's a beautiful world, dsgalaxy1. ...
You are right about pollution.
And warming as well. But until all electric can go 300-400 miles (450-600km) people (and good, caring people) will fear going away from hybrids and diesels. Not necessarily right, but truth.
Very nice!
Seems like you need to drive it more! Thanks for the factory tour! I was impressed with my experience in the i3. I haven't really driven the i8 yet.
Yes I need to drive more Patrick...
I heard the i3 is actually very roomy and fun to drive, at least that's what they show on the first reactions from drivers testing it. I should test drive it someday too. Thank you. Rgds Raymond
Here's my quickie review on it...
www.watchprosite.com It was good around the streets of Downtown LA. Worthy of a lease.
This will probably stay with me for a very long time...Not typical my style...
It will always be a first for BMW, a likely museum candidate. Rgds Raymond
Very cool!
Especially the red colour As is of course the fact that they were quite forward thinking for the times. Great report Raymond!
Thank you, my friend. It's a car Lisa and I will "fight" to drive :) unlike the Rapide.
She didn't like that Aston, felt it's too big and heavy, but main worry is the repair, if she was to mess up. Yes, the Red is nice, maybe I'll save it for the new Spyder i8. Rgds Raymond