2013 Los Angeles: BMW goes topless (4 Series cab), electric (i8) and quirky (Concept X4)

Story by John LeBlanc LOS ANGELES - From an unusual hybrid supercarsto (another!) coupe/SUV thingee to a predictable convertible, Germany's BMW had a booth full of world and North American debuts here in L.A.: BMW 4 Series Convertible As sure as sun shines here in Los Angeles, you knew an open-top version of this year’s new BMW 4 Series Coupe (née 3 Series Coupe) would also spawn a co-ed-friendly convertible version. So, to no one’s surprise, the BMW 4 Series Convertible (seen at top) made its world debut here in what will more than likely be its best sales market. Like the new 4 Series Coupe, the convertible is slightly bigger overall, and continues with a folding metal top like its predecessor. Powertrain choices should mimic the 4 Series Coupe as well when it goes on sale soon. BMW i8 In BMW-speak, the lowercase i brand stands for sustainability. And the first pair of i brand two models are the i3 compact hatch and the more expressive i8 sports car. Set to go on sale in 2014, the 2+2 i8 — and like the smaller i3 — employs a lightweight carbon-fibre chassis. That means its power-to-weight ratio is quite good, even with a relatively meager 231 horsepower on hand from a supercharged three-cylinder gas engine and 131 hp electric motor. BMW claims a zero-to-100-km/h time of just 4.4 seconds but also an estimated average fuel consumption of 2.5 litres per 100 kilometres. BMW Concept X4 Making its North American premiere, the BMW Concept X4 is a thinly disguised concept of the production version set to go on sale in 2014 and built in the same U.S. BMW plant that makes the five-seat X3 the 2+2 SUV/coupe is based upon. BMW says the Concept X4 “combines the rugged looks of a BMW X model with the emotional and sporting aura of one of the brand’s coupes – and, in so doing, brings the Sports Activity Coupe concept so successfully coined by the BMW X6 to another new class.” If the idea of a utility vehicle with no utility sounds silly, don’t laugh. German rivals Mercedes-Benz and Audi are working on BMW X4 rivals as we speak.

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