BMW's hybrid cars

BMW’s unveils newhybrid cars

BMW unveiled a pair of concept cars, one a hybridand one electric, made of light-weight carbon fiber and a see-through glassexterior. The cars are expected to go into production within the next two tothree years. 

The carbonfiber in the i3 city car and i8 sports car significantly reduces the weight ofthe vehicle and the size of its frame, giving designers more flexibility andcreating more interior space for passengers.

The material,used in the aerospace sector and also for high-end bicycles, is valued for itsstrength-to-weight ratio. Its uses are expanding, however, and engineers aredesigning everything from camping equipment to pool cues.The i3 isexpected to go into production in 2013, with production of the i8 following ayear later. The cost of the car has yet to be determined, though carbon fiberis not cheap.

The four-door i3is designed for urban driving, with its wheels pushed out to the corners of theframe for stability. It has coach-style doors, with rear and front doorsswinging open at the center of the vehicle.

The added stabilityof carbon fiber allowed designers to eliminate the support pillar traditionallyfound between the front and back doors, which will make it making it easier toenter and exit the vehicle, Kim said.

The i3 comes inan all-electric version that can go 80 to 100 miles on a single charge, butbuyers have the option of adding a small gas engine that would recharge thebattery if needed. It takes about six hours to fully charge the battery.

The sporty i8has two winged doors made of glass and a sleek silhouette. The exterior isdesigned to help the car cut through the air more efficiently.

The all-wheeldrive car has a battery and a gas engine that work together, with the batterypowering the front wheels and a gas engine powering the rear wheels.

Without the gasengine, the car has a range of about 20 miles, but fully charges in less thantwo hours.