“Apple and BMW have engaged in negotiations over Apple’s interest in using BMW’s i3 electric cars as a basis for its own electric car project, according to a new report from German publication,” Jordan Kahn reports for 9to5Mac.
“According to the new report from Manager Magazin’s July issue, Apple CEO Tim Cook along with other Apple executives recently met with BMW in Leipzig, Germany to visit the carmaker’s i3 production line,” Kahn reports. “Apple is allegedly interested in the carbon fiber body of the i3, according to the report.”
“The i3 is a generally well-received electric car that gets about 80 miles on a charge and has an optional petrol-based range extender which can add a few gallons worth of range to the vehicle for longer trips,” Kahn reports. “The report adds that Apple has been in negotiations with BMW since autumn 2014 but hasn’t yet come to an agreement.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: For the carbon fiber body technology only, hopefully, because the i3 on the whole is severely lacking. We’ve heard from people who use these things. In cold weather, they are virtually useless; drivers can’t get 15 miles to work, the batteries do not hold a charge well in the cold. BMW’s i3 is a glorified golf cart.
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Apple working with Intelligent Energy on fuel cell technology for mobile devices, sources say – July 14, 2014
North Carolina regulators approve Apple’s 4.8-megawatt fuel cell facility at Maiden data center – May 23, 2012
New aerial images of Apple’s planned NC fuel cell, solar farms published – April 7, 2012
Apple’s massive fuel cell energy project to be largest in the U.S. – April 4, 2012
Apple patent application reveals next-gen fuel cell powered Macs and iOS devices – December 22, 2011
Apple patent app details highly-advanced hydrogen fuel cells to power portable devices – October 20, 2011
I like to see Apple bring out new successful high margin products,
I have to question whether an Apple i3 can be high margin.
Free Apple Watch with purchase!
We can bet the Watch is going to interface with the car! That’ll be kewlness!
BMW already said this didn’t happen.
-jcr
No, they said that they weren’t in talks currently.
The report that AI posted said Apple ultimately changed its mind.
It will be called the Newton. They are bringing back an old brand that is short and sweet. Newton.com and NewtonLS.com if you doubt. Tesla Vs Newton. The scientific showdown. vid
Tesla at sub zero temperatures has no problem. I think the secret is in temperature control using the battery power itself. It might require some battery power for temprature control but obviously better than letting it freeze.. I have driven my 85kw Tesla with no noticable range loss in sub zero conditions in the rockies. The car is a dream.
i3 is ugly. Saw one just yesterday and was embarrassed for BMW.
i3 is brave. I think they were testing the waters for this car. See how ‘out there’ they could get. They’re fantastic to drive.
Think different.
It is just about the ugliest car now available, right up there with the Aspen.
I own one and I think it’s a fantastic car, fun to drive. I don’t believe it’s ugly, I get a lot of questions on it and compliments from people.
Manny: didn’t mean to insult any owners. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Could have been the paint job on the one I saw.
If this came to pass, according to what we’ve been reading, Apple is mainly interested in the chassis.
So those who are talking about problems with the engine, battery, or are dissatisfied how it looks, forget it. None of that would be used.
It’s very doubtful that Apple would build anything other than a car based on their own electric auto technologies, and would style it themselves.
You’d think though that Apple would want do design its own case… Er, I mean… chassis.
Wow, these Car rumors keep piling up and getting more credible! Fascinating. ☺🌞🌝
Happily, the Van = self-driving Car rumors are dead, Apple having made it clear that the van is for taking images and GPS coordinates for improving Maps.