BMW i8 | The BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid sports car developed by German manufacturer BMW

 BMW i8

The BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid sports car developed by German manufacturer BMW. The i8 is essential for BMW's electric armada "Task I" being promoted as another sub-brand, BMW I. The 2015 model year BMW i8 has a 7.1 kWh lithium-particle battery pack that conveys an all-electric scope of 37km under the New European Driving Cycle. Under the United States Environmental Protection Agency cycle, the reach in EV mode is 24km. Its design is heavily influenced by the BMW M1 Hommage concept car, which in turn pays homage to the original BMW M1. BMW i8 production began in April 2014, and all assembly takes place at the BMW plant in Leipzig, Germany.

The i8 is part of BMW's "Project i" and it is being marketed as a new sub-brand, BMW i. The BMW i8 is based on a heavily modified version of the BMW i3 electric car platform and was launched in 2014. The i8 is powered by a 1.5-liter TwinPower Turbo petrol engine with 231bhp and 320Nm of torque. The engine is mated to an electric motor with 131bhp and 250Nm of torque. The petrol engine is used to charge the electric motor's battery pack. The total power and torque output of the powertrain is 362bhp and 570Nm. The i8 has a curb weight of 1,505kg and a low center of gravity thanks to its aluminum chassis and carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell.

The i8 can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h. Under the NEDC test cycle, the i8 has a fuel economy of 2.1L/100km and can travel 37km on electric power alone. Under the EPA test cycle, the i8 has a fuel economy of 1.9L/100km and can travel 24km on electric power alone. The i8's combined electric and petrol power consumption is 15.9kWh/100km. The i8's electric motor is powered by a 7.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that delivers an all-electric range of 37km under the New European Driving Cycle. Under the United States Environmental Protection Agency cycle, the reach in EV mode is 24km. The i8's petrol engine has a fuel economy of 8.9L/100km under the NEDC test cycle. The i8 can be recharged using a standard household socket and takes approximately two hours to charge its battery using a 3.7kW charger.

The i8 has a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell and an aluminum chassis. The i8's chassis is 50% stiffer than a steel chassis and 30% lighter than an aluminum chassis. The i8's suspension system is a double wishbone setup at the front and a five-link setup at the rear. The i8 has an electronically controlled damping system and an active M Sport suspension system. The i8's brakes are internally ventilated and perforated discs with four-piston fixed aluminum calipers at the front and single-piston floating aluminum calipers at the rear. The i8 is available with either 19-inch or 20-inch alloy wheels.

The i8 has a drag coefficient of 0.26 and a curb weight of 1,498kg. The i8 is 4,689mm long, 1,942mm wide, and 1,299mm tall. The i8 has a wheelbase of 2,800mm and a ground clearance of 120mm. The i8 has a luggage capacity of 154 liters.

The i8 has a three-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. The engine has a displacement of 1,499cc and produces 231bhp at 5,800-6,000rpm and 320Nm of torque at 3,700-4,500rpm. The engine is mated to an electric motor with 131bhp and 250Nm of torque. The petrol engine is used to charge the electric motor's battery pack. The total power and torque output of the powertrain is 362bhp and 570Nm. The i8 has a curb weight of 1,505kg and a low center of gravity thanks to its aluminum chassis and CFRP passenger cell.

The i8 can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h. Under the NEDC test cycle, the i8 has a fuel economy of 2.1L/100km and can travel 37km on electric power alone. Under the EPA test cycle, the i8 has a fuel economy of 1.9L/100km and can travel 24km on electric power alone. The i8's combined electric and petrol power consumption is 15.9kWh/100km.

The i8 has a CFRP passenger cell and an aluminum chassis. The i8's chassis is 50% stiffer than a steel chassis and 30% lighter than an aluminum chassis. The i8's suspension system is a double wishbone setup at the front and a five-link setup at the rear. The i8 has an electronically controlled damping system and an active M Sport suspension system. The i8's brakes are internally ventilated and perforated discs with four-piston fixed aluminum calipers at the front and single-piston floating aluminum calipers at the rear. The i8 is available with either 19-inch or 20-inch alloy wheels.