After successful initial testing of the vehicle concept, the decision for a series-production vehicle was quickly made. The BMW i8 Concept is the next step in the evolution of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept. The result: The most progressive and innovative sports car of its time.
Its innovative plug-in hybrid concept combines the modified electric drive system from the BMW i3 Concept – fitted over its front axle – with a high-performance three-cylinder combustion engine producing 164 kW/220 hp and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) at the rear. Working in tandem, they allow the two drive systems to display their respective talents to the full, delivering the performance of a sports car but the fuel consumption of a small car.
 |
| BMW i8 photo |
Car reports that the vehicle weighs 3,200 lbs and will be offered exclusively as a plug-in hybrid vehicle. The vehicle is a 2+2 with pop up doors that open the style that seems to be a mix of Lamborghini and DeLorean.
The BMW i8 will use a 170 hp electric motor to drive the front wheels and a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine producing 223 HP and 295 lb-ft of torque to drive the rear wheels. Originally, there was talk of a gasoline-powered counterpart using a V8 or possibly a V10 engine, but that car is no longer part of the program.
The electric i8 plug-in hybrid will be able to travel 20 miles on electric power alone. It also has a projected average fuel economy rating of 104.2 mpg on the European Cycle.
BMW i8 Price
The plug-in hybrid sports car will cost in excess of €100,000. BMW nonetheless expects the racy gullwing crowd-puller to attract around 10,000 customers per year.
Like the other BMW i vehicles, the i8 is built around the principles of the so-called Life and Drive modules, denoting the carbonfibre body and the rolling chassis made of aluminium.
The i8’s battery needs six hours to charge from a normal household outlet and higher voltage charger will be able to charge the batteries and under an hour. The i8 is expected to sell for BMW i8 price over €100,000 and BMW expects to sell about 10,000 units per year.
Source : Car
