Photo: Stefan Baldauf / Robert Kah
The world will never be the same. With the launch of the i8 hybrid sports car, BMW is again trying to change the way we feel and think about high-performance vehicles and what they should be.
The i8 is a revolutionary vehicle nonetheless. Following in the footsteps of its completely electric brother, the i3, the new car is also using Carbon Fibre Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) in its construction process, making up the Life Drive module.
In case you didn't know, the i8 is made up of two so-called modules: the Life module, made completely out of CFRP and destined to keep the passengers safe and the eDrive module, made of aluminum and encasing the batteries, chassis and electric motor of the car.
Talking about the electric motor, we should also mention that the i8's unit produces 131 HP and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque, is hooked up to a two-gear transmission (another world premiere) and is working in conjunction with the B38 3-cylinder, 1.5-liter turbocharged unit mounted at the back of the car.
That B38 engine makes 231 HP and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque and give the car a total of 362 HP and 570 Nm (420 lb-ft) when working together with the electric unit. With such numbers and a lightweight construction due to the CFRP (1,490 kg or 3284 lbs) the car reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.4 seconds and has a limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).
The interior is made out of eco-friendly materials such as tanner leather (that uses olive oil in the process) and has a digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. On the center of the dash you'll also notice a massive navigation screen that is also a display device for the new iDrive touch system.
The steering wheel now has a blue circle around the BMW roundel, in the same color as the inserts in the kidney grille, meant to be symbols of the company's new eco-friendly range of i cars.
As for the exterior design, most of the elements shown on the Concept car sticked with the production model, giving the car an air drag coefficient of just 0.26, making it one of the most efficient cars in the world.
At the front you'll notice the U-Shaped LED headlights that can also be upgraded to Laser Lights, another world premiere. At the back, LEDs are also in charge of both the taillights and the signal turn lights.
The most impressive thing about this car though, is the fuel consumption. With performances close to the retired E92 M3 (that wasn't known as an eco-friendly car), the i8 manages to pull off around 94 mpg (2.5 l/100 km) in the European test cycle.
The EPA's might turn out different results but they will still be a lot better than any other high-performance vehicle out there that is meant to be this car's competitor. In the US, prices will start at $135,925, whilst europeans will have to pay €126,000 for the new car.
In case you didn't know, the i8 is made up of two so-called modules: the Life module, made completely out of CFRP and destined to keep the passengers safe and the eDrive module, made of aluminum and encasing the batteries, chassis and electric motor of the car.
Talking about the electric motor, we should also mention that the i8's unit produces 131 HP and 250 Nm (184 lb-ft) of torque, is hooked up to a two-gear transmission (another world premiere) and is working in conjunction with the B38 3-cylinder, 1.5-liter turbocharged unit mounted at the back of the car.
That B38 engine makes 231 HP and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque and give the car a total of 362 HP and 570 Nm (420 lb-ft) when working together with the electric unit. With such numbers and a lightweight construction due to the CFRP (1,490 kg or 3284 lbs) the car reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.4 seconds and has a limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).
The interior is made out of eco-friendly materials such as tanner leather (that uses olive oil in the process) and has a digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel. On the center of the dash you'll also notice a massive navigation screen that is also a display device for the new iDrive touch system.
The steering wheel now has a blue circle around the BMW roundel, in the same color as the inserts in the kidney grille, meant to be symbols of the company's new eco-friendly range of i cars.
As for the exterior design, most of the elements shown on the Concept car sticked with the production model, giving the car an air drag coefficient of just 0.26, making it one of the most efficient cars in the world.
At the front you'll notice the U-Shaped LED headlights that can also be upgraded to Laser Lights, another world premiere. At the back, LEDs are also in charge of both the taillights and the signal turn lights.
The most impressive thing about this car though, is the fuel consumption. With performances close to the retired E92 M3 (that wasn't known as an eco-friendly car), the i8 manages to pull off around 94 mpg (2.5 l/100 km) in the European test cycle.
The EPA's might turn out different results but they will still be a lot better than any other high-performance vehicle out there that is meant to be this car's competitor. In the US, prices will start at $135,925, whilst europeans will have to pay €126,000 for the new car.
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