BMW officials have recently released the first images and details of their new all-electric compact, which is set for release in 2013.
Although these initial details are not extensive, they do indicate that BMW will be creating a luxury production vehicle to rival the city-car style of the Nissan Leaf.
This new vehicle will also be marketed as a sub-brand of BMW; a tactic which they hope will create a unique identity for the new electric model.
Design Chief for BMW, Adrian van Hooydonk, has said that the vehicle will be a sporty and stylish electric vehicle, which will be drastically different from other electric models.
When released, the car will have a 100-kilowatt 134-horsepower electric motor, which will be capable of a competitive 90 miles per hour.
Kai Petrick, a BMW marketing and product strategist, said, The departure from fossil fuels is an irreversible trend. [As battery technology has] reached the point where it really makes sense to drive electric.
One of the features that sets it apart from other vehicles is its use of lightweight carbon fibre, which is extremely strong but 50 percent lighter than aluminium. This reduced weight perhaps explains why the car is more efficient and capable of such speeds.
The passenger compartment will also be created using low-weight carbon fibre – another aspect which has helped to make the car light weight.
BMW have not yet revealed the sale or leasing value of the vehicle, however officials have suggested that it will be at the top end of the commercial vehicle market.