TEARING DOWN THE MODEL T OF OUR TIME - AUTOLINE AFTER HOURS 284

EV Channels Review

Autoline After Hours 284 features Sandy Munro of Munro & Associates dissecting the BMW i3, labeling it the 'Model T of our time' and a 'watershed' moment for the automotive industry. Munro is deeply impressed by BMW's innovative use of carbon fiber, particularly the rapid five-minute cycle time for body structure production and the clever recycling of scrap material for the roof. He highlights the sophisticated engineering in the motor and battery, noting the advanced Samsung battery as potentially the world's best. While Munro finds the styling unappealing, he praises the minimalist interior and advanced electronic interface. A significant point of discussion is BMW's revolutionary body-on-aluminum-frame construction, which drastically reduces tooling investment compared to traditional unibody designs, making it viable for lower production volumes. The range extender, however, is identified as a major drawback, with its noisy operation likened to a 'lawn tractor' and deemed a 'stinker' in an otherwise groundbreaking design.