Show Spotlight: BMW i3

BMW’s groundbreaking zero-emissions i3 is not only on display at the L.A. Auto Show but is also available for brief test drives at the BMW i3 Pavilion. Due in showrooms in the second quarter of next year, this compact five-door is the first series-produced model by BMW i, a sub-brand dedicated to creating eco-friendly plug-in vehicles with the mobility needs of contemporary city-dwellers in mind.

The much-anticipated arrival of the i3 means that the combination of “electric” and “sustainable” no longer equals puttering automotive performance; with 184 pound-feet of torque flowing instantaneously to its rear wheels, the i3 maintains a low center of gravity and even weight distribution for that instantly recognizable Beemer agility. A revolutionary passenger compartment made from lightweight yet stable carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic further ensures BMW’s signature sportiness and efficiency.

Offering maximum fun and utility with minimum environmental remorse, the i3 is the definitive modern mobility machine.