BMW has pulled off the online wraps off the i concept car making its world debut at the 2012 LA Autoshow this week, and it’s not the rumored i4 Coupe. It is however, a coupe version of the BMW i3 - officially called the BMW i3 Concept Coupe.

The i3 Concept Coupe is built on the same wheelbase/platform as the four-door i3, and likewise features a carbon fiber reinforced plastic body matched to a 170hp / 184 lb-ft torque electric engine driving the rear wheels via a single-speed transmission.

The interior is the most production ready version in any i3 concept model shown yet and features a layered design mimicking the exterior’s layered design. A mixture of leather, wood, wool and other renewable raw materials compose the … CONTINUED

The BMW i3 Concept may be a bit of an old regular at the major auto shows by now, but it showed some elements off for the first time at the 2012 Paris auto show.

Interior:

This latest version of the i3 Concept features an interior design geared towards sustainability. The eucalyptus wood used for the instrument panel comes from a sustainable cultivation source in Europe and is treated exclusively with natural substances. The high-quality leather of the seats has a fine surface consistency achieved by processing tanning agents gained from olive leaves. What is more, parts of the instrument cluster and door trim are made of natural wool fabric.

CFRP Construction:

Also showing publicly for the first time is the carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell [first previewed … CONTINUED

We’ve spied the production intent BMW i3 interior clearly for the first time. Although it’s still in unfinished pre-production form, we can see some major components and design elements that will come on the production i3 when the first are delivered in late 2013.

The dash and console loses much of the futuristic styled full touch-sensitive and buttonless interior of the i3 concept in favor of a more practical and modern-day style BMW dashboard. It does however retain an LCD instrument screen from the concept. The large navigation / iDrive screen can be seen in the upper center console, still shrouded by the cloth covering. The plastic around the steering column will of course be gone by production and the rest of the lower center console added. … CONTINUED

Electromobility is a topic for BMW since the 70’s. Have a look at the development of electric cars at BMW.

Of particular focus is the BMW E1 electric car which was introduced by BMW as its first all-electric car 21 years ago. It was a revolutionary car for 1991 which featured a rear mounted 37kW (49hp) motor, aluminum and plastic body construction. Its top speed was 72mph and had a 125 mile range. You can say that it is the spiritual forefather for the upcoming BMW i3 electric car. In fact, the i3 and E1 even share a somewhat similar shape.

But things have come a long way since 1991. The BMW i3 concept features 167hp and 184lb-ft torque, albeit with a shorter 93 mile range.

Much is already known about the BMW i8, but its pricing when it hits the market in 2014 has been the stuff of speculations only.

We previously estimated that the i8 would be priced at over €100,000 (Euro) and this has now been confirmed by Ian Robertson, BMW’s head of sales and marketing in Germany and a board member of BMW North America. Speaking to reporters at the grand opening of the world’s first BMW i Store in London, he confirms that the i8 will sell for “more than €100,000″ (approximately $125,000 USD at current conversion rates) in Europe. Although this pricing doesn’t come as a surprise, it is the first time that BMW officials have confirmed any target price range.

Robertson did not provide any pricing estimate … CONTINUED

Today, the BMW Group presented its first BMW i Store worldwide in London, unveiling a showroom that offers a completely new brand experience focused on sustainable mobility. BMW i Park Lane will officially open its doors on 25th July.

The event to preview the new BMW i Store was hosted by Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Sales and Marketing BMW.

Ian Robertson said: “BMW i Park Lane marks a completely new approach. Situated next to BMW Park Lane and MINI Park Lane, it gives people a perfect opportunity to learn more about electromobility and get close to our future electric and plug-in hybrid BMW i vehicles. This is a further demonstration of our commitment to electromobility.”

The opening of the new BMW i … CONTINUED

BMW teases its future BMW i3 smartphone app on its facebook page ahead of the i3’s market launch in 2013.

Looking like something out of tron, the slick looking app will allow monitoring of the i3’s battery charge status, lock/unlock doors from the smartphone, schedule a trip time so that the i3 can thermal precondition ahead of time, and a smart charging mode which presumably sets the i3 to charge when household electricity usage is lowest or most affordable.

There is also a navigation feature with charging station and public transport info.

Many of you may remember seeing photos of the BMW i8 and i3 spied at an official BMW photo shoot in downtown Chicago back in August, representing the first real life pics of the i8 and i3 in public.

BMW now shares a making-of video from the Chicago photo session. Click through below for some nice looks at the i8 and i3 on the streets.