The German automaker BMW has announced that the production of its new electric vehicle model, the 2014 BMW i3, has started in Leipzig, Germany.

The Bavarian marque made a 400M EUR investment at the Leipzig factory and hired 800 employees to get ready for i3 production. Overall, BMW spent approximately 600M EUR in the “i” production network and generated more than 1,500 jobs. The first BMW i3 produced will serve as lead car for the International Berlin Marathon which will be organized on September 29th.

The BMW i3 can be had as an all-electric car with a 170 HP (125 kW) electric motor and a 22 kWh lithium-ion battery. The rear-wheel drive vehicle will do 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 7.2 seconds and a maximum speed of 93 mph (150 km/h). More importantly, BMW says it has a range of 81-99 miles (130-160 km) before the battery pack is depleted. At an additional cost, the i3 can be configured with a range-extending engine (two-cylinder gasoline motor) granting the car with a total range of around 180 miles (300 km) which for us would be the obvious choice.

2014 BMW i3 Release Date and Price

Germany and other European markets will get the car starting November, while United States and China will have to wait until the beginning of 2014. Pricing in Germany kicks off at 34,950 EUR, and can be bought in UK from 25,680 GBP (including 5,000 GBP government grant). U.S. buyers will have to spend 41,350 USD (excluding 925 USD destination and handling fees).

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