FIRST BMW i BRAND VEHICLES THEFULLY-ELECTRIC BMW i3 CONCEPT AND HYBRID-ELECTRIC BMW i8 CONCEPT TO DEBUT AT THE 2011 LA AUTO SHOW NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE OF THE ALL-NEW BMW M5
BMW will present the North American premieres of the first two vehicles from its new visionary and sustainable brand, BMW i – the fully electric BMW i3 Concept and the hybrid-electric BMW i8 Concept – alongside the all-new BMW M5 during the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday, November 16 at the BMW Stand from 4:10 pm – 4:35 pm at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ASSSDbqjHT4
The BMW i3 and i8 Concept vehicles represent the first purpose-built electric and electric-hybrid vehicles to be made primarily of carbon fiber when they become available in 2013 and 2014, respectively.
The BMW i8 Concept which is also the successor to the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics car featured in Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol starring Tom Cruise to be released in December is a sleek, low-slung, silver and glass sports car with flip-up doors.
The BMW i3 Concept, previously known as the “megacity vehicle,” is more compact for congested city driving and features the same color scheme with large glass doors that open “coach” style, i.e. the rear doors opening in the opposite direction from the front.
The all-new BMW M5 combines an exceptionally dynamic high-performance sports car with a luxurious business sedan, offering significantly improved efficiency, supreme long-distance comfort and innovative driver assistance systems and infotainment functions. Additionally, demos of the award-winning, on-demand music service MOG — available in all 2011 BMWs equipped with ConnectedDrive technology will also take place at the BMW stand. The MOG app launches November 15 in Apple’s app store.
BMW Executives available for interviews include: Ludwig Willisch , President, BMW of North America; Manuel Sattig, Manager, Communications, BMW i; Richard Kim, Senior Automotive Designer, BMW Group DesignworksUSA; Rich Steinberg, Manager, Electric Vehicle Operations & Strategy, BMW of North America; Paul Ferraiolo, Manager, Product Planning and Strategy, BMW of North America; Matt Russell, M Brand Manager; and Robert Passaro, Senior Engineer, BMW Group Technology Office Palo Alto.
DATE:Wednesday, November 16, 2011 TIME: Press Conference: 4:10 pm – 4:35 pm; Interviews: All Day PLACE: Los Angeles Convention Center, Hall S BMW Stand BMW Executives available for interviews include:
- Ludwig Willisch, President, BMW North America
Ludwig Willisch became President of BMW North America on October 1st and will be available to discuss overall company business in North America. Willisch began his career with the BMW Group in 1996 as manager of the BMW branch in Düsseldorf.
He gained further national and international sales experience as head of the local sales subsidiaries in Germany, Japan and Sweden and served as Head of European Sales.
- Manuel Sattig, Manager of Communications, BMW i
At the Los Angeles Auto Show, BMW will debut for the first time in North America the first two vehicles under its new visionary and sustainable sub-brand BMW i – the fully-electric BMW i3 and the hybrid-electric BMW i8. Manuel Sattig is available to discuss the purpose, vision and mission of the BMW i brand, the use of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic in the construction of the vehicles and other technical specifics.
- Richard Kim, BMW Group DesignworksUSA, Senior Automotive Designer
The new BMW i3 and i8 exterior design reflects the two-way split of the LifeDrive architecture. The Life module – composed of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic – houses the passenger compartment, while the Drive module – made of lightweight aluminum – brings together all the operational driving functions.Richard Kim, the principal designer of the BMW i3 and i8 exteriors, will be available to discuss the design as well as the LifeDrive architecture.
- Henrik Wenders, Product Manager BMW i8, BMW AG
The BMW i8 Concept is capable of going 0 to 60 in less than five seconds and will become the first hybrid-electric production car to be made primarily from carbon fiber when it debuts in 2014. Henrik Wenders will be available to discuss the development of the BMW i8 and its technical specifications.
- Rich Steinberg, Manager, Electric Vehicle Operations & Strategy, BMW of North America
Rich Steinberg, Manager of Electric Operations & Strategy, will be on hand to discuss BMW’s strategy for electric vehicles in the United States – including the BMW ActiveE, BMW i3 and BMW i8.
- Paul Ferraiolo, Manager, Product Planning & Strategy, BMW of North America
Earlier this year BMW unveiled a new TwinPower Turbo 4-Cylinder engine as featured in the 2012 BMW Z4. Paul Ferriaola will be available to discuss the TwinPower Turbo 4-Cylinder engine and BMW’s plans for its further integration into the increasingly efficient world of BMW.
- Matt Russell, M Brand Manager
In August, BMW unveiled the new BMW M5 at Pebble Beach. The BMW M5 will now make its official North American debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Matt Russell, BMW’s M Brand Manager, will be available to discuss the new M5.
- Dirk Rossberg,Head of BMW Group Technology Office USA
Appointed Head of BMW Group Technology in September, Dr. Dirk Rossberg has been cultivating the latest technology that has become so integral to BMW. Dirk will be available to discuss the latest in automotive technology and how it is being integrated into the BMW fleet.
- Rob Passaro, Senior Project Manager, BMW Technology Office
As technology advances, apps are becoming more and more important in the world of BMW. Rob Passaro from the BMW Technology Office will be available to discuss the new apps that have been developed and how this technology is being integrated into BMW vehicles. One such app is MOG, the award-winning, on-demand music service that is available in all 2011 BMWs equipped with ConnectedDrive technology.
- Peder Norby
Peder Norby was among the first MINI E pioneers and will soon become among the first BMW Active E customers. As a proponent of sustainable lifestyles, Peder is available to discuss his experiences with the vehicle and provide real-world anecdotes.
