In many ways, the Los Angeles Auto Show has only just begun, but BMW is already racking up awards for its cars.
Yesterday, Green Car Journal announced that the BMW i3 was its 2015 Green Car of the Year. The i3 is the first all-electric vehicle to win this award, which is widely considered to be the industry’s most important environmental recognition. Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of Green Car Journal, had this to say:
“BMW’s i3 is a milestone vehicle in many respects and illustrates the automaker’s expansive vision of future motoring. It is purposefully designed with a small environmental footprint and zero emissions, offering the best features of an electric vehicle with the functionality of an available on board engine-generator that nearly doubles its battery electric range.”
Read the full press release from the award ceremony here.
That wasn’t the only honor BMW received yesterday. Autoblog announced that the BMW i8 is the winner of its 2014 Technology of the Year award. The noted automotive website recognized the i8 not as one technological breakthrough but as a “suite of technologies that work together to make one impressive vehicle.”
The i8’s striking looks and popular appeal contributed to the ruling of Autoblog’s judges. Sebastian Blanco, editor of AutoblogGreen said:
“I do believe that green vehicles solve a very fundamental problem, and if a car like the i8 can get a rich man with good knees (to get in and out of the car) to drive something with a plug instead of a 12-mpg sports car, then mission accomplished.”
Considering almost fifty nominations, Autoblog ultimately chose the car that was the most exciting. You can see a list of the other finalists for 2014 Technology of the year here. For more new BMW information and happenings from the LA Auto Show, keep following Leith BMW.