CES: BMW i3 Urban Suite Concept Makes Prom Night Even More Awkward
The future of BMW's i3 electric car is uncertain at best; it may not even have a future, despite a larger battery pack and increased range for 2019.
BMW may be looking the other way? Like trying to solve environmental problems while offering advanced prom transportation? This is probably the case.
At the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, BMW unveiled the i3 Urban Suite Concept, a battery-powered hatchback with limousine-like accommodations.
The standard i3 driver's seat and dashboard remain the same, but the rest of the interior has been completely redesigned. There is even a small desk space in case you can't find a Starbucks.
The passenger seat has been removed, along with the rear bench seat. In its place, BMW has installed a sort of lounge chair with a footrest next to the driver.
For entertainment, BMW added a screen that flips down from the headliner. It is connected to what BMW calls a "personal sound zone," but the size of the screen and details about this audio system have not been disclosed.
The i3 Urban Suite uses wood and olive-tanned leather for the interior, while the interior fabrics are made from recycled materials. The same goes for the floor mats, suggesting that BMW can recycle them again and again. In theory, BMW has created nothing short of endless recycled floor mats.
The powertrain remains unchanged, with the i3 Urban Suite Concept powered by a 42.2 kwh battery pack and a 170 hp electric motor with a range of 153 miles on a single charge and power to the rear wheels.
The BMW i3 Urban Suite Concept will be on display through Friday at the German manufacturer's booth at the 2020 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.