The 2014 i8 BMW sports was displayed at the Frankfurt motor show, showing only cosmetic changes from the i8 concept (as seen driven by Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible).
The concept’s petrol-electric hybrid system, comprising of a 170 kW 1.5 liter turbocharged three cylinder engine – and a small 96 kW electric motor that works in tandem to deliver a combined 266 kW and 570 Nm of torque.
BMW i8
A six-speed automatic transmission delivers drive from the engine to the rear wheels, and the electric motor power goes to the front wheels, with the weight distributed 50:50 front to rear.
BMW says the i8 can charge in 3.5 hours from a domestic power point to give an electric-only range of about 35 km, while a full charge and fuel tank will give between 500-600 km, depending on driving mode. Fuel economy is quoted as 2.5 L/100 km. Exceptionally frugal.
The official 0-100 km/h figure of under 4.5 seconds is helped by carbon fiber being used for the frame and passenger cell, along with being used as reinforcing in plastic components, plus much use of aluminium – keeping the weight down to 1490 kg.
