Hasta La Gadget!

BMW’s been teasing us with its vision for electric motoroing for years, and today, folks, the trend continues. The German automaker has unveiled two concepts from its upcoming i sub-brand: the city-dwelling i3 and a rehashed version of its i8. This is the first time we’ve officially seen the smaller of the two, as the car formerly known as the Megacity had only been spied in an official render and during routine testing at the arctic circle. It’ll haul four peeps with its 150km range (around 100 miles) and accelerate from 0-60mph in around 8 seconds. As for those with range anxiety, the German company will soothe such fears with an optional range-extending motor dubbed “REx.” Either variant could land in your garage in 2013, where you’ll be able top them up in 6 hours with a standard socket, or up to eighty percent in an hour if you’re rocking a spiffy high capacity charger.

The i8, which you’ll recall for its radical aerodynamic design and hybrid diesel-electric drivetrain, has received a bevy of aerodynamic tweaks and junked its oil burner, opting for a gasoline one instead. Engine swap aside, the sporty coupé apparently drinks only 2.7 liters per 100km — 87 mpg (!) for yanks — which is unreal in a car that’ll accelerate to 62mph in 4.6 seconds. Sound too good to be true? We’ll have to wait until 2014 to see if München can make good on those promises, but in the meantime feel free to peruse the galleries, videos, and PR after the break.

Continue reading BMW unveils new i3 and revamped i8 concepts, we await our automotive future (video)

BMW unveils new i3 and revamped i8 concepts, we await our automotive future (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 Jul 2011 14:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In an old-fashioned display of corporate introversion, the keys to the first production Fisker Karma will be handed not to a real customer, or a profile-raising celeb, or even to a good cause. Nope, they’ll be whisked straight into the silky pockets of Ray Lane, chairman of the board of directors at Fisker Automotive. Unless it’s an entirely empty publicity stunt and he has to hand the keys right back, lucky Lane will be driving home this afternoon in a luxury EV with a 300-mile range and 125MPH top speed. The rest of us, however, will have to wait til October — and cough up $95,900.

Fisker Karma boss nabs first set of keys, s’pose we’d do the same originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 06:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Things are lookin’ up in New England — particularly for those who crisscross Yawkey Way with an electric vehicle. A grand total of 142 EV charging stations are slated to hit The Bay State in the coming months, with 25 communities across the commonwealth to get gifted. Boston reports that the majority of ’em will be in “common commuter or traveler spots,” places like downtown parking garages, MBTA lots, shopping malls, etc. The bulk of the boxes will be part of the ChargePoint network, and we’re told that the rates for recharging will be set by “municipalities on public land and by property owners on private land,” depending on where each box is planted. So, is the charging station rollout between NY and MA the new Yankees vs. Red Sox? Nah, but a techie can dream.

142 electric vehicle charging stations head to Massachusetts, Nantucket and MV not included originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 24 Jul 2011 10:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s been months since the first Fisker Karma came forth from the factory, and in the time since, the sleek saloon’s production timeline experienced a delay or two along the way. Yet, here we are, and the next six production Fiskers have finally been constructed. Unfortunately, those with open wallets will have to wait to get one of the elusive EVs, as the sextet of Karmas is bound for a nationwide barnstorming tour — so that the masses may caress the car’s curvy lines and perhaps take one for a spin. Details are scarce regarding the test drives, but OC Metro reports that 44 fortunate cities and 3,000 people will get to cruise in the performance EV over the next three months. Now that’s some good Karma.

Six Fisker Karmas roll off the production line, coming soon to a city near you originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jul 2011 03:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Continue reading Chevy Volts invade NYC police fleet, give cops all new ways to taze bros

Chevy Volts invade NYC police fleet, give cops all new ways to taze bros originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Jul 2011 01:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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