PHOTO
Move marks eco-conscious Kingdom as first Middle Eastern market to welcome both plug-in hybrid BMW i8 and all-electric i3 cars
Amman - The world's most sustainable premium car company, BMW Group, has announced the launch of its sustainable sub-brand, BMW i, which represents future-orientated electric vehicles and mobility services, in Jordan. The move marks the Kingdom as the first market in the Middle East to welcome not only the world's most progressive sustainable sports car, the BMW i8, but the zero-emission all-electric i3 onto its roads.
The region-first launch, which took place on 9th June, follows the recent pledge by the Kingdom's government to diversify its energy resources with renewables and invest in local resources and infrastructure in order to increase the renewable energy ratio mix in the country to 10 percent by 2020. In a landmark bid to highlight the importance of zero-emission mobility in the Kingdom, the Jordanian Royal Court also recently signed an MOU with BMW to add BMW i3 all-electric vehicles to its fleet.
With issues such as energy independence, CO2 emissions and environmental conservation currently high on the agenda, the launch of the all-electric BMW i3 and i8 plug-in hybrid vehicles will support Jordan's strategy to promote electric vehicles as a sustainable mobility solution. Marking the first time that the BMW i3 will be a permanent fixture on Middle East roads, the country has invested $1.5bn in a one gigawatt cluster of solar and wind power projects, which will include 3,000 solar powered EV charging stations, to ensure that all necessary conditions for electric vehicle mass market use are in place. Similarly, the government is also incentivizing use of electric vehicles such as the BMW i3 and i8 through the elimination of tariffs on the import of zero-emission vehicles.
"BMW Group prides itself on employing sustainability throughout its entire value chain, and it's fantastic to see that Jordan is implementing a similar strategy - ensuring eco-mobility is front of mind at every touch point. Today represents a momentous occasion, as we launch our dedicated BMW i sub-brand in the country, as well as both the BMW i3 and i8 into one Middle Eastern market for the very first time. These models are not simply vehicles, they are a movement towards mass market eco-mobility, and I look forward to this becoming a reality in Jordan," said Johannes Seibert, Managing Director for BMW Group Middle East.
Commenting on the occasion Fahed Naber, General Manager, Abu Khader Automotive, the official BMW importer in Jordan, said: "It's an exciting time to welcome these innovative vehicles into the country, as the government is investing heavily in promoting sustainability and eco-living as a genuinely viable option. We feel very honoured to be playing such a leading role in ensuring eco-mobility in particular becomes a reality in Jordan. We have already received a lot of interest from customers so we welcome everyone to come to our showroom to view these vehicles in our showroom."
The BMW i3 is the first model to be unveiled under the BMW i sub-brand, offering zero emission mobility in a premium vehicle with sheer driving pleasure. It is the first BMW Group model fuelled exclusively by electricity creating completely new and innovative possibilities for moving around in city traffic, while at the same time enjoying driving pleasure and sustainability. The futuristic design of the BMW i3 authentically expresses both the typical sportiness of BMW automobiles and the practicality offered by a four-seater. Its innovative automotive concept, with the passenger compartment made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), blends light weight, stability, and safety with extraordinary comfort and convenience.
The electric motor in the BMW i3 delivers peak power of 125 kW/170 hp and a maximum torque of 250 Nm, sending power to the rear wheels by means of a single-speed transmission. The maximum speed is 150 km/hr. The electric motor gets its energy from the cells of a lithium ion battery, which is integrated in the under body.
The significantly low centre of gravity, due to the configuration (low and centrally located) of the battery unit, and the balanced distribution of the masses between the axles contribute further to the agility and manoeuvrability of the car. In daily traffic, the battery offers a range of about 130 kilometres; the supply of electric energy is assured thanks to a normal domestic electrical outlet or the BMW i Wallbox which comes complimentary with the BMW i3.For an even longer range, or the greatest possible flexibility, an optional Range Extender (REx) can make a range of nearly 300 km possible in the BMW i3. The Range Extender is a small, very smooth, quiet 2-cylinder petrol engine, which drives a generator and maintains the battery's charge, so that the vehicle can continue driving with electric energy.
The BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car, which first launched in the Middle East in June 2014, combines the performance and appeal of a sports car with the fuel consumption and emissions of a small car. Powered by a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder BMW TwinPower Turbo petrol engine, the vehicle drives through the rear wheels. Covered by the 360° ELECTRIC range of products, which provides support for charging at home or public charging stations. For charging at home, the BMW i8 comes with a Wallbox Pro, which charges the car in two and a half hours. The vehicle can also be charged on the move through its intelligent hybrid system, which capitalises on a potent electric motor that sends drive to the front wheels resulting in a combined power output of 362hp delivered to all four wheels. When united, the dual motors (electric motor at the front and petrol engine at the rear) work in harmony enabling the BMW i8 to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 4.4 seconds while using just 2.1 litres of petrol per 100kms and emitting just 59g/km of emissions.
-Ends-
© Press Release 2015
