The BMW i8 blends the performance of a top-end sports car with the sort of fuel economy and emissions usually associated with compact models....

The BMW I8

The BMW i8 is ready to revolutionise its vehicle class. As the first sports car with the consumption and emission values of a compact car.The strength of the plug-in hybrid lies, among other factors, in the perfect synchronisation of electric motor and combustion engine, which makes itself apparent in maximum efficiency and dynamics on the road. The first sports car that even accelerates the zeitgeist.

the BMW i8

OVERVIEW

With its ultra-dynamic proportions, elegantly sporty lines, low-slung silhouette and innovative design features, the BMW i8 represents a new generation of sports car. Bringing together hallmark features of the BMW brand with the design language developed specially for BMW i cars creates a progressive aesthetic which faithfully communicates the performance attributes, efficiency and innovative premium character of the plug-in hybrid sports car.

The BMW i8 embodies a revolutionary, future-focused interpretation of the driving pleasure for which BMW is renowned. It was purpose-designed as a plug-in hybrid sports car offering agile performance and outstanding efficiency. An exceptionally lightweight and aerodynamically optimised body including a passenger cell made from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) plus advanced BMW eDrive drive system technology, a compact, highly turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and intelligent energy management all come together to create an overall concept that represents a new landmark in the Efficient Dynamics development strategy.

The BMW i8 blends the performance of a top-end sports car with the sort of fuel economy and emissions usually associated with compact models. It is based, moreover, around a vehicle architecture that creates the perfect platform for thrillingly agile handling, thanks to an ultra-low centre of gravity and almost exactly 50:50 weight distribution. The BMW i8 boasts supremely precise driving dynamics and superb steering feel, giving the driver outstanding command of the vehicle even when exploring the limits of its performance. The three-cylinder combustion engine in the BMW i8 develops 170 kW/231 hp and drives the rear wheels, while the 96 kW/131 hp electric motor draws its energy from a lithium-ion battery, which can be charged from a conventional domestic power socket, and sends its power to the front axle. This bespoke plug-in hybrid system, developed and produced by the BMW Group, enables a range of up to 37 kilometres (23 miles) in the EU test cycle and a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph) on electric power alone, coupled with a "glued-to-the-road" all-wheel driving experience headlined by powerful acceleration and a dynamically-biased distribution of power through keenly taken corners.

*The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes just 4.4 seconds, yet combined fuel consumption as calculated in the EU test cycle for plug-in hybrid vehicles stands at 2.1 litres per 100 kilometres (approx. 135 mpg imp) plus 11.9 kWh of electricity.

The more powerful of the two power sources drives the rear wheels and uses the electric boost from the hybrid system to deliver hallmark BMW driving pleasure while at the same time offering groundbreaking levels of efficiency. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes just 4.4 seconds, yet combined fuel consumption as calculated in the EU test cycle for plug-in hybrid vehicles stands at 2.1 litres per 100 kilometres (approx. 135 mpg imp) plus 11.9 kWh of electricity. This equates to CO2 emissions of 49 grams per kilometre.

The actual fuel economy in everyday driving provides further impressive proof of the BMW i8's outstanding efficiency. Depending on the users habits and the distances driven, it is capable of returning fuel consumption figures that are almost unheard of for a sports car.

Design.

The consistently sporty look of the exterior is continued seamlessly in the interior of the BMW i8. All elements are light and dynamically positioned. In the interior, the layering principle creates a novel relationship between functionality and clear form. Lightweight construction is implemented visually, for example the visible carbon elements in the door sill highlight its low weight. A classic sports car character and the typical BMW driver orientation are both equally prominent in the design of the BMW i8. The centre console is aligned towards the driver. All the instruments and signs in the digital instrument panel, with its two large displays, are simple to use. Passengers all sit particularly close to the ground and the narrow lightweight seats provide reliable support and a high level of comfort even when cornering rapidly. The iDrive Controller is conveniently located on the centre console that optically bisects the vehicle. Colour and material design underscores the guiding idea of a smart, sustainable sports car concept. Three equipment lines - 'Halo', 'Carpo' and 'Neso' - differ in terms of materials used. 'Halo' and 'Carpo' are full leather equipment; 'Halo' is the top of the range and 'Carpo' comes in two colours, 'Ivory White' and 'Amido'. *All the instruments and signs in the digital instrument panel, with its two large displays, are simple to use.

* A classic sports car character and the typical BMW driver orientation are both equally prominent in the design of the BMW i8.

Long wheelbase, short overhangs, solid status as it crouches on the street: the BMW i8 has all the characteristics of a full-blooded sports car. The front appears extremely low and wide. Everything is arranged to be optimally aerodynamic. At the same time, the flat, but prominent double kidney grill makes this vehicle's origins clear. A V-shaped 'black belt' starts on the bonnet and dynamically wraps around the bodyshell to the rear. Viewed from the side, the exaggerated wedge shape, the long drawn-out lines and the flat silhouette underscore the dynamics and fulfil the expectations one has of a sports car. From the front to the rear, the car has a very dynamic, three-dimensional appearance. Surfaces and lines overlap and interlock, a method known as 'layering'. This joins all the surfaces harmoniously and allows compact and unbelievably agile look. Its monolithic appearance lends the BMW i8 its extraordinarily powerful stature.

*The BMW i8 has all the characteristics of a full-blooded sports car.

Dimensions.

Pricing.

Base Price: $135,729 The first models are set to hit showrooms in the US begining June.

Specifications.

BMW i8 Model Year 2014

REPORT BY ANTHONY P RAMPTON, bmwfirst.com Editor

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