BMW i3 and i8 Being Used as Testbed for Future BMW Tech

Ian Robertson, BMWBMWGermany, 1918 > present87 models
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head of sales and marketing, says that the carbon fiber reinforced plastic and other technology developed for the i3 and i8 will likely trickle down to other BMW models in the future. The small-run sub-brand is partially being used to develop new technology for the next generation.

“I am certain that many areas of the i car program will affect what we do elsewhere. Although we have deliberately given the i cars a new type of design, so that people are immediately aware they are something special; there are aspects that definitely hit the mainstream,” said Robertson.

He says that the carbon fiber reinforced plastic will definitely be used in future models but not in complete body shells like on the i3BMW i3Germany, 2014 > present. Instead, it will be used where it can benefit weight savings the most.

The use of hemp and a headliner made from recycled plastic bottles may also make it to standard BMW models. The i sub-brand cars use an olive leaf extract to dye the leather in the seats instead of conventional industrial dyes. The technique is environmentally friendly and could be used in the future as well.

Source: Autocar