BMW i market launch in China:electric motoring courtesy of the BMW i3 and BMW i8.

With the joint presentation of its first volume-produced vehicle powered purely by an electric drive system and a sports car currently holding the status of the world's most progressive, the BMW i brand is highlighting the broad spread of its future-oriented vehicle concepts.

The two models represent a new, strongly sustainability-focused interpretation of the premium experience. The electric motors and lithium-ion high-voltage batteries of the two models were developed by the BMW Group – in model-specific versions.

Another special ingredient conceived exclusively for BMW i is the LifeDrive architecture with passenger cell made from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP), which plays a major role in minimising the weight of the cars. And a world first in a series-produced car comes in the form of the optional laser headlights available for the BMW i8.

Developed by BMW, they offer three times the intensity and twice the high-beam range of conventional systems, as well as extremely low energy consumption.

BMW i8 [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]