Photo: BMW
We knew that the Australian market has some rather ridiculous prices for luxury cars but asking AUD299,000 for a BMW i8 seems rather extreme. And yet that’s the price the Bavarians set for the plug-in hybrid in the land below.
BMW Australia confirmed what were isolated rumors yesterday and said that the sports car will arrive in dealerships in March 2015. However, that price tag at least gets you every option box for the i8 ticked, even though it’s a bit more expensive than models like the Audi R8 (AUD279,500) and Porsche 911 GT3 (AUD294,100).
Amongst those standard features you’ll find the Driving Assistant, adaptive LED headlights, HUD, high-beam assist, Surround View Cameras, collision warning systems and city braking.
The ConnectedDrive suite will also be include alongside an 8.8” screen with the Professional Navigation system, Internet Access and digital radio. Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming are standard as well.
All owners will also have access to other BMW vehicles for a maximum of 12 days a year. This option will come in handy especially for those longer trips with the family, when an X3 would surely come in handy compared to the practicality the i8 offers.
Looking over the competition is asking for their cars, the AUD299,000 price tag doesn’t stand out as that ridiculous any more. However, looking over the advantages the i8 brings, it’s even starting to make sense.
The Bimmer is capable of reaching 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.4 seconds thanks to its hybrid powertrain that makes 362 HP and 570 Nm (420 lb-ft) of torque. That amount comes from an internal-combustion 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged plant up front making 231 HP and 320 Nm of torque and an electric unit for the rear axle making 131 HP and 250 Nm.
Down in the central tunnel there’s a battery pack that allows you to cover up to 35 km (22 miles) on electric power alone, at speeds up to 120 km/h (75 mph). On a combined cycle, the i8 will achieve a fuel consumption of 2.1 l/100 km (112 mpg), something no other car in with this kind of performance can claim.
Amongst those standard features you’ll find the Driving Assistant, adaptive LED headlights, HUD, high-beam assist, Surround View Cameras, collision warning systems and city braking.
The ConnectedDrive suite will also be include alongside an 8.8” screen with the Professional Navigation system, Internet Access and digital radio. Bluetooth phone connectivity and audio streaming are standard as well.
All owners will also have access to other BMW vehicles for a maximum of 12 days a year. This option will come in handy especially for those longer trips with the family, when an X3 would surely come in handy compared to the practicality the i8 offers.
Looking over the competition is asking for their cars, the AUD299,000 price tag doesn’t stand out as that ridiculous any more. However, looking over the advantages the i8 brings, it’s even starting to make sense.
The Bimmer is capable of reaching 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.4 seconds thanks to its hybrid powertrain that makes 362 HP and 570 Nm (420 lb-ft) of torque. That amount comes from an internal-combustion 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged plant up front making 231 HP and 320 Nm of torque and an electric unit for the rear axle making 131 HP and 250 Nm.
Down in the central tunnel there’s a battery pack that allows you to cover up to 35 km (22 miles) on electric power alone, at speeds up to 120 km/h (75 mph). On a combined cycle, the i8 will achieve a fuel consumption of 2.1 l/100 km (112 mpg), something no other car in with this kind of performance can claim.
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