PHOTOS: BMW Unveils i3 Electric Car and i8 Hybrid Electric Vehicle on US Soil for the First Time!

This morning <a href="http://www.bmw-i-usa.com/en_us/">BMW</a> showcased its vision for the future of green transportation as it as it unveiled the <a href="http://www.bmw-i-usa.com/en_us/bmw-i3/">i3 electric car</a> and the <a href="http://www.bmw-i-usa.com/en_us/bmw-i8/">i8 hybrid-electric sports car</a> for the first time on US soil - and Inhabitat was on the scene to bring you exclusive photos of these next-gen eco vehicles, which feature ultra light <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_%28fiber%29">carbon fiber</a> bodies, <a href="http://inhabitat.com/bmw-to-make-laser-headlights-twice-as-efficient-as-leds-and-1000-times-stronger">laser headlights</a>, and transparent glass doors and roofs! The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/electric-vehicle">all-electric</a> <a href="http://inhabitat.com/bmw-i3-electric-car-to-revolutionize-automotive-engineering-manufacturing/">BMW i3</a> has a lightweight 2,755 lb chassis, a powerful 125 kW real-wheel drive electric motor, and an emission-free range of 80-100 miles, which can be extended up to 160-200 miles. Meanwhile, the plug-in <a href="http://inhabitat.com/bmw-unveils-details-on-its-breakthrough-iseries-concept-vehicles/">BMW i8</a> sports car has a smoothly sculpted body complete with scissor doors, a 250 kW hybrid drive train that can rocket from 0-62 mph in under five seconds, and a 250-350 mile extended range. Read on for a closer look at each vehicle, and be sure to check out our photo gallery for exclusive shots from this morning's unveil in New York city!

The <a href="http://www.bmw-i-usa.com/en_us/bmw-i8/">BMW i8</a> concept is a sexy <a href="http://inhabitat.com/fisker-unveils-first-karma-hybrid-fresh-from-the-assembly-line/">plug-in hybrid</a> roadster built to bring drivers high performance thrills with a low-carbon footprint.

The vehicle's drivetrain combines a modified version of the i3's electric drive system in the front with a high-performance three-cylinder combustion engine that produces 220 hp.

The <a href="http://www.bmw-i-usa.com/en_us/bmw-i3/">BMW i3</a> concept is the company's first EV designed from the ground up for mass production, and the auto maker has come out swinging with an innovative vehicle that looks set to take the luxury market by storm.

A detail shot of the BMW i8's stylish tail light.

The i8's hybrid system gives the vehicle impressive torque for a fast acceleration time of 0-62 mph in less than five seconds.

The i8 is also able to travel in all-electric mode for 20-30 miles - perfect for quick trips around town.

The interior of the i8 features three-dimensional displays.

For longer trips, the i8's combustion engine kicks in and works with the electric drive to allow the car to travel 250-350 miles on a single tank of gas.

In terms of mileage, the i8 is able to eek out as much as 94 mpg.

The i8's exterior designer Richard Kim poses beneath one of the roadster's butterfly doors.

The vehicle was engineered to have a very low center of gravity and an optimized 50/50 weight distribution.

The i8's ultra lightweight set of components cancels out the extra weight added by the electric drive system.

The i8's interior is thoroughly focused on providing easy driver-side access to all controls.

The <a href="http://www.bmw-i-usa.com/en_us/bmw-i3/">BMW i3</a> concept is the company's first EV designed from the ground up for mass production.

BMW has come out swinging with an innovative vehicle that looks set to take the luxury market by storm.

The i3 will be one of the world's first mass-produced vehicles with a body made mostly of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_%28fiber%29">carbon fiber</a>.

The i3 also makes sustainable strides in terms of its material use - the interior is outfitted in renewable raw materials like natural fibers, and all leathers used are naturally tanned.

The BMW i3's laser headlights are brighter and much more efficient than LED headlights.

The i3's ultra lightweight carbon fiber body shaves off more than 550 pounds of weight, resulting in increased all-electric range and better performance.

The standard i3 will have a range of 80-100 miles, and BMW also announced today that it has plans to produce a REX (range extended version) of the i3 that can travel for 160 - 200 miles on electricity alone.

The <a href="http://inhabitat.com/bmw-i3-electric-car-to-revolutionize-automotive-engineering-manufacturing/">i3</a> is capable of traveling from 0-62 mph in less than 8 seconds.

A high-speed charger can power the vehicle up to 80% capacity in an hour flat.

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