BMW patent - Cd .18

[Vman455]

Autocar reports that this is BMW's answer to the XL1--two cylinder turbo gas engine, new battery chemistry, 2500 lbs, and Cd .18.

[Xist]

Nothing is official, although sources involved in BMW’s research activities suggest the new car hits the scales at less than 1150kg, making it 135kg lighter than the existing i3 but 355kg heavier than the XL1.

Depicted as a practical car for everyday use, the prototype offers seating for up to four, along with what Autocar has been told is a useful boot, the capacity of which is put at 348 litres – or almost three times the XL1’s 120 litres.

.

[botsapper]

The Chinese design patent leaked pics look like the intermediate model in between the i3 and the i8, an i5 four-seat layout coupe. The concept has the distinctive BMW twin kidneys, long wheelbase, short overhangs, BMW U-shaped daytime running LED details, round projector headlamps, the BMW 'stream flow' V-shaped blackbelt detail; an element that runs from the front hood, over the roof and to the rear in all BMW i models, similar i8 door cutout detail, distinctive air curtain openings, less curvy but sharper contour & character lines, interesting aero front fender exhaust slits, narrower rear track and tapering rear body, slim LED taillights, angular rear diffuser and narrower rear deck wing. No exhaust pipes suggest fully electric. Somehow less an i model and more Civic-like. Hope its not a BMW knockoff design.

http://www.extremetech.com/wp-conten...-i3_studio.jpg

http://www.pcauto.com.cn/nation/727/7278724.html

[MetroMPG]

Thanks for the extra design analysis, botsapper. It's interesting imagining it in the usual i-brand livery.

[RedDevil]

I would not call that front bumper practical; many parking places have raised wheel stops, like almost all of them at my work place, which are also slanted so hard to back in to.

[freebeard]

So, where to put the blue stripe?

One thing I notice is the Subaru SVX-like door windows. In the side view you can see how the door cut-line curves across the highlight on the glass.

The hood is one big air tab.

[kach22i]

I like the romantic fuzzy image in the first link over the Chinese Patent images.

Fairly nice either way.

[Cd]

So how close to reality is that rendering ?
It is heavily modified in Photoshop.

Perhaps the way that the first images of the F-117 were manipulated to keep the details secret.

[Vman455]

I don't think the lack of exhaust pipes says anything about the drivetrain; neither the i3 with range extender nor i8 have visible exhaust.

[botsapper]

Quick overlay, still looks more like a Honda Civic than the BMW i-models.