With an industry struggling to wean itself off of gasoline and combat soaring prices, German-based BMW AG took the wraps off its two upcoming all electric and hybrid models in Frankfurt over the weekend.
The first i-Series model, the i3, will launch in 2013, the company said. The i3 is a compact, all-electric sedan, which can generate up to 170 horsepower and speed up to over 60 mph in under eight seconds.
Slated for release in 2014, the high-performance i8 hybrid will boast a three-cylinder combustion engine capable of propelling the 220 horsepower sports car to 62 mph in under five seconds.
Range on the all-electric i3 is unknown, but BMW claims the i8 will cruise at roughly 78 miles per gallon and travel up to 20 miles on just the battery.