BMW is stepping into the future with its new i3 and i8 electric vehicles. While both are still labeled as "concepts" at this point, both designs give us a glimpse at what the production models will look like they the i3 and i8 launch in 2013 and 2014 respectively. 

The rear-wheel-drive i3 is a fully electric vehicle (think Nissan Volt), which is powered by an electric motor that generates 170 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque. The vehicle has a driving range of 93 miles, can sprint to 60 mph in under 8 seconds, and can reach 80 percent of its battery charge after one hour (full recharging time take 6 hours).

According to BMW's Klaus Draeger, the body is made primarily of carbon fiber and aluminum to keep weight at a minimum -- in this case 2,755 pounds. The vehicle seats four people and luggage space is on the small side at just 7 cu ft.

For a sexier take on the electric vehicle, BMW also has the new i8, which is a plug-in hybrid. A turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine puts out 220 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque. The gasoline engine drives the rear wheels, but can also pair up with an electric motor up front to provide all-wheel drive traction. When both engines are working together, the i8 can reach 60 mph in less than 5 seconds.

If ultimate eco-friendliness is your goal, the i8 can travel in a front-wheel drive mode using only the electric motor for propulsion. In that configuration, the i8 can travel 20 miles on battery power alone before the gasoline engine kicks in.

Like the i3, the i8 can seat four people.

“The BMW i8 Concept is the sports car for a new generation – pure, emotional and sustainable,” added Draeger.

“We are marking another milestone in the history of the BMW Group. As Chairman of the Board and an engineer myself, I am very proud of this project,” explained Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG. “As the world’s leading premium car manufacturer, our aim is to offer customers purpose-built electric-drive cars as well.”