BMW Australia has given local motoring journalists their first look at its spectacular and innovative i8 plug-in electric hybrid supercar.
A two-door coupe, the i8 will be second model to be produced as part of BMW’s ‘Project i’ following on from the i3 city car that was revealed last year and which is due to go on sale soon. Two more different electric vehicles it’s hard to imagine, one a sleek and powerful track-ready racing machine the other a tall, boxy hatchback.
Styling of the BMW i8 is very supercar, with a wide body and low roofline. However because of the requirements for fuel economy it includes three distinct features.
Firstly there is a large air outlet on the centre of the bonnet to expel the air that comes through the cooling system as quickly and efficiently as possible. There are also prominent air channels built into the side of the car to push air away from the rear wheels and so reduce turbulence. Even more spectacular the rear of the roofline doesn’t actually meet the car’s lower bodywork to provide an intriguing layered effect.
BMW i8 combines a carbon fibre body shell with an aluminium chassis.
Four exterior colours will be offered: grey, white, blue and silver.
Entry into the low-slung i8, which is a 2+2 with a pair of small rear seats, is made easier courtesy of a pair of what BMW calls scissor doors which swing upwards when opened. Being made of carbon fibre they are light and easy to operate and provide a wide opening.
Buyers will get the choice of three different interior designs and four leather upholstery colours. The centre console and dashboard are also finished in double-stitched leather.
At the heart of the i8 is a hybrid synchronous electric motor that combines with a 1.5-litre three-cylinder twin-turbo petrol engine to produce maximum power of 266 kW and torque of 570 Nm with zero to 100 km/h acceleration of 4.4 seconds. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.
When driven solely by the battery the i8 can cover up to 35 kilometres with a top speed of 120 km/h and zero tailpipe emissions.
The electric motor drives the front wheels with the petrol engine turning the rears.
Under EU testing average fuel consumption was just 2.2 litres per 100 kilometres with CO2 emissions of 49 grams per kilometres.
Production of the BMW i8 is due to commence in April 2014 with Australian deliveries expected in the first quarter of 2015.
At the unveiling of the i8 BMW Australia also announced the pricing for the BMW i3 which will go on sale in November at selected BMW dealerships. The standard BEV (BMW Electric Vehicle) model will sell for $63,900 with the range extender (REx) for $69,900. These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges.
BMW wouldn’t officially reveal even a ball-park price for the i8 but didn’t wince when speculation of around $300,000 was floated.
The company has confirmed that a model will be available for road testing late this year so we’ll provide a full report as soon as we’ve spent serious time behind the wheel.
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