Sienna Miller and James Franco celebrate i3 debut
The stars joined some 600 people in London to celebrate the arrival of BMW’s new baby (no, Kate is not only one with a new kid on the block).
The actors were clearly impressed by the vehicle’s electric drive system and its consistent approach to sustainability in its design: “Being a new mother I am very passionate about making green changes in my life to leave a better world for the next generation. 100% electric as well as stylish is something brand new which no one else offers, making the BMW i3 the perfect city car for me,” noted Sienna Miller.
James Franco was equally taken with the BMW i3: “As a champion of art and design I love the way BMW has managed to combine style, functionality and technology. This car makes being green cool, which is really important,” he enthused.
The BMW i3 – a four-seater powered purely by electricity – features a passenger compartment made from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic. The electric motor powering the BMW i3 generates a maximum output of 125 kW and peak torque of 250 Nm, which means its performance is decidedly perky. The motor sources its energy from lithium-ion storage cells integrated into the car’s underfloor section. Once fully charged (via a conventional domestic power socket, BMW i Wallbox or public charging station), the i3 will have a range of 130 to 160 kilometres. Importantly, the car has a really low centre of gravity, meaning it will be extremely nimble.
The i3 will be launched here, in South Africa, in April next year. We’re hearing rumours of a R450 000 price tag, but this will obviously depend on our sadly ailing rand.
Text: Charleen Clarke