Here it is, in all of it’s glory, uncamouflaged, uncluttered; the BMW i8 hybrid supercar. After almost four long years of teasing, waiting, and debating what direction to take this sci-fi-like car from concept to production, it’s finally here.
I’ll keep this post short and sweet, because by now you’ve probably read just about everything there is to read on the BMW i8. So here are the important stats.
The BMW i8 is powered by a 1.5 liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine making 231 horsepower and 236 ft-lbs of torque. An electric motor adds another 131 horsepower and 184 ft-lbs of torque, for a total output of of 362 horsepower and 420 ft-lbs of torque, with power going to all four wheels.
Acceleration from 0 to 62 mph takes just 4.4 seconds, and BMW claims a 22-mile pure-electric driving range, with fuel economy of around 94 mpg on the U.S. scale. That is possible thanks to both the hybrid drivetrain, and a curb weight of just 3,285 pounds thanks to extensive use of carbon fiber-reinforced polymers. Of course these exotic materials drove up the cost, and the base price for a BMW i8 is $135,700.
Everything about the BMW i8, from its incredible drivetrain to the sleek spacecraft-like interior, just feels like the 21st century should feel. If the BMW i8 really delivers the kind of performance and efficiency executives claim, it has the makings of an instant classic. The first BMW i8 comes to the U.S. in the spring of 2014, and you can bet plenty of wealthy car enthusiasts are looking forward to its arrival.
Source: BMW
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