The BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid sports car developed by BMW and marketed under the BMW i sub-brand. The production version was unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show and released in Germany in June 2014; deliveries to US customers began in August 2014. A roadster was launched in May 2018 and production ended in June 2020.
BMW i8 at a glance
| Maker | BMW (BMW i) |
|---|---|
| Unveiled | 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show (production version) |
| Released | Germany, June 2014; USA, August 2014 |
| Roadster | launched May 2018 |
| Production ended | June 2020 |
| 0–100 km/h (2015) | 4.4 seconds |
| Top speed | 250 km/h (155 mph), limited |
| Battery (2015) | 7.1 kWh lithium-ion, 37 km NEDC electric range |
| Battery (2018) | 11.6 kWh, 55 km (coupé) and 53 km (roadster) NEDC |
| Fuel economy (NEDC) | 2.1 L/100 km, 49 g/km CO2 |
| EPA rating | 76 MPGe combined |
| Precursor | BMW Vision EfficientDynamics (2009) |
English Wikipedia is the only source used here, so the facts were not cross-checked against a second source; figures are the maker’s claims.
History of the BMW i8
From concept to production
The i8 was previewed by the Vision EfficientDynamics concept, a plug-in hybrid with a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo-diesel and two electric motors of 104 kW, shown at the 2009 International Motor Show Germany; it could reach 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. In 2010 BMW announced mass production at Leipzig from 2013 as the i8, and the petrol concept for production was shown at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The production i8 was part of BMW’s “Project i”, sold under the new BMW i brand after the i3, which reached European customers in the fourth quarter of 2013. When BMW i sponsored the Formula E championship, the i8 was the official safety car.
Performance and efficiency
The 2015 i8 accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and was limited to 250 km/h. Its 7.1 kWh battery gave 37 km of electric range on the NEDC cycle (24 km on the US EPA cycle); in 2018 the capacity of both coupé and roadster rose to 11.6 kWh, raising the NEDC range to 55 km and 53 km. The coupé used 2.1 L/100 km on the NEDC test with 49 g/km of CO2, and the EPA rated it at 76 MPGe combined and 29 mpg in pure petrol mode.
Design and features
- Hybrid: plug-in, with an electric-only mode.
- Official car: safety car of Formula E.
- Brand: the second model of BMW i after the i3.
BMW i8 versions
- i8 Coupé (2014).
- i8 Roadster (2018).
More BMW cars are in our BMW collection and more grand tourers and flagships in Luxury Cars.
Sources
- BMW i8, English Wikipedia: history, performance, battery
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