MR PORTER.COM, the award-winning online destination for men’s style, has partnered with BMW i to design and produce a one-of-a-kind, limited edition BMW i3, the effortlessly stylish electric car. This is the first move into the automotive category for the online retailer and an exciting expansion within the brand’s existing men’s lifestyle offering.
To celebrate MR PORTER’s fifth anniversary a limited number of BMW i3 cars will be available to purchase from the website, deliverable in the UK only, beginning 18th February 2016.
This groundbreaking collaboration has seen the design teams from both MR PORTER and BMW i combine their expertise to create a truly unique product. Inspired by the Tuxedo, one of the most enduring and stylish garments in menswear, the car has substance as well as style – the MR PORTER team has added the aesthetic finesse expected, whilst the BMW i designers bring a new meaning to the word premium, defined by their commitment to sustainability.
‘The BMW i3 clearly demonstrates how the concept of sustainability and cutting-edge style can be effortlessly merged. As we at BMW are not only dedicated to technological innovation and superior quality, but also strive to create first-class design concepts that go beyond the ordinary, we were immediately captured by the idea to collaborate with MR PORTER as one of the leading trend-setters in global luxury style. MR PORTER is a truly inspiring platform and we are thrilled to contribute to this premium retail experience with an exclusive BMW i3.’ Stefan Ponikva, Head of BMW i Brand Management
“At MR PORTER we strive to give our customers the best in men’s style and this extends across many categories. Working with the best in class in the automotive industry felt like a very natural step and we were thrilled to collaborate with the team at BMW. We have kept all the high specification components one would expect from BMW and added a bespoke interior and exterior finish, which is very much in keeping with our aesthetic. As pioneers of the electric vehicle BMW i was the perfect partner in this project, as we share similar brand values and both relish the opportunity to be the first to market for projects such as this. We also hope to make the car available in other markets in the future.”Mr Toby Bateman, Managing Director, MR PORTER
Inspired by timeless style and enriched with contemporary features, the sleek and sophisticated car is a true work of art and with a very unique aesthetic. Just as it is common in made-to-measure tailoring, the car’s distinctive features are all handcrafted to ensure its finish is completely unique: the individual painting, the white accent running the length of the chassis, which can be associated with the pinstripe suit are hand painted by master craftsmen.
The interior of the car features different tones and grains of certified wood, which have been inspired by
MR PORTER but stay true to the ethos of the car. The stitching detail on the floor mats and Dalbergia brown piping echo the exterior and add a further individual touch.
To ensure the style matches performance, the MR PORTER inspired BMW i3 still provides the same award- winning driving experience. Running purely on electric power, and therefore emission-free, the BMW i3 offers sporting driving characteristics and excellent agility, while being near-silent in motion.
The car comes complete with a MR PORTER Essentials Travel Kit that consists of a BMW i leather holdall, a Leica C compact camera, and four items exclusive to MR PORTER: a black and white London Undercover umbrella, Cutler & Gross sunglasses, Lock & Co bowler hat and a bespoke edition of Wallpaper* City Guide Books.
This BMW i3 inspired by MR PORTER is part of a suite of exclusive products produced in celebration of the fifth anniversary of MR PORTER. The BMW i3 special edition will have its own product page on MR PORTER, and will include instructions to order and buy through BMW (UK) Limited directly.
Customers can sign-up and register interest at the following link:
by Arrnott Olssen
Editor Rogue Homme
