The BMW i3 electric vehicle features a passenger cell made from carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). The i3 is being assembled at BMW's plant in Leipzig, Germany, where some €400 million has been invested in the production of BMW i models.
The collaboratively-designed liftgate achieves the BMW i brand appearance and vehicle mass requirements through the use of a lightweight composite structure which integrates the liftgate's functional systems.
"Our composites and exterior systems expertise, as well as our ability to effectively collaborate with BMW Group to achieve shared objectives, were fundamental to our ability to deliver this novel liftgate," reports Joe Pittel, president of Magna Exteriors.
The liftgate assembly is being produced at a Magna facility in the Czech Republic, using "advanced manufacturing and bonding processes" to ensure a high-quality product scalable for high-volume production.
The fully assembled module is transported to BMW's Leipzig facility for direct assembly in line.
