BMW Creates New i3 Concept Coupe EV with 168hp for the LA Auto Show

These are the first pictures of BMW's new i3 Concept Coupe, which is a slightly sportier looking but less practical, three-door version of the carmaker's carbon-fiber i3 hatchback that will enter production next year.

The i3 Concept Coupe will make its world premiere at this week's Los Angeles Auto Show, with the Bavarian automaker stating that it "demonstrates the potential for conceivably extending the model range", which in other words, means, expect a similar model to be added to the i3's range in the very near future.

While keeping the 5d model's lightweight structure and 2,570mm (101.2 inches) long wheelbase, BMW says that the Coupe has a "has a broader, lower-slung look". The designers also eliminated the see-through panels on the doors and the lower section of the rear tailgate.

The i3 Coupe study measures 3,964mm (156.1 inches) in length, 1,768mm (69.6 inches) wide and 1,555mm (61.2 inches) tall, making it roughly the same size as a Ford Fiesta hatchback.

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BMW Already Testing 1-Series Compact Models with its New Three-cylinder 1.5-liter Engines

As we were looking for pictures the other day for our story on the availability of the BMW Group's new 1.5-liter TwinPower Turbo engines in the United States and Canada, we discovered images of a prototype of the 1-Series five-door hatchback fitted with this powerplant on the company's website.

To date, while BMW has set the market introduction of the 1.5-liter TwinPower Turbo engine in diesel and petrol forms for 2013, it has only confirmed the i8 sports coupe and the i3 supermini gasoline-electric hybrids as the recipients of the three-cylinder units.

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BMW Announces New 1.5-Liter Turbo'd 3-Cylinder Petrol and Diesel Engines with up to 222HP

In 2007, BMW introduced the Efficient Dynamics strategy to its new vehicles, which encompasses fuel efficient petrol and diesel engines, highly efficient transmissions, “intelligent” management of ancillary systems and advanced aerodynamics.

Despite investing heavily on hybrid and EV technology, as is evident with the ActiveHybrid models and the new “i” sub-brand, BMW also believes that the internal combustion engine has potential for improvement and will continue to power the bulk of its existing and future models.

To that end, it is introducing a new lineup of TwinPower turbocharged engines in both gasoline and diesel forms, starting with the 1.5-liter three-cylinder units.

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BMW Presents New C Evolution Electric Scooter Prototype at London Olympics [w/Video]

Not to be outshone by the BMW car brand and its upcoming "i" series of pure-electric models, BMW Motorrad, which is the German company's motorcycle division, is also gearing up for the presentation of its first zero emissions model.

Following the original E-Scooter concept at the BMW Motorrad Innovation Day 2011 and the Concept e at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show, BMW has now introduced a near-production prototype of the electric scooter named the C Evolution.

The electric-powered scooter was presented in the U.K. capital today with BMW to allow selected London Olympics visitors to drive the prototypes during the games.

The C Evolution features a hybrid composite structure upon which it fits an electric motor producing a continuous output of 11kW (15hp) and a peak output of 35kW (47hp) allowing for an electronically limited top speed of 120km/h (75mph).

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