BMW has always been a pioneer in performance cars. With the i8, the Bavarian carmaker takes performance to another level. The i8 is a sports car with an all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid powertrain. A 1.5L, dual-overhead-cam 3-cylinder turbocharged engine in the rear axle is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. It is rated at 228 horsepower. This system is paired with a 141-horsepower BMW eDrive electric motor placed near the front axle, which has its own integrated 2-stage automatic transmission. Together, the engine and motor produce an impressive 369 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. This is enough to propel the i8 from 0-60 mph in just 4.2 seconds.
BMW states that the i8 can drive solely on electric power for 15 miles (at up to 75 mph), and the EPA rates it at 76 MPGe, which is a miles-per-gallon equivalent that measures how far the i8 can travel on the equivalent amount of energy in one gallon of gas. The car features four driving modes: Comfort, Sport, Eco Pro and eDrive Mode. Comfort blends the best attributes of performance, fuel efficiency and chassis compliance. Sport includes an eBoost function, which improves responsiveness from the chassis and steering. Eco Pro optimizes fuel efficiency in either all-electric or hybrid mode. Finally, eDrive Mode is for all-electric driving. BMW claims the i8 will fully charge in 1.5 hours on a 240-volt hookup or 3.5 hours on 120 volts.
The aerodynamic i8 is available as a coupe or convertible. It features sweeping lines and sculpted looks, with side skirts that direct airflow into the engine. Scissor doors cap off the i8's exotic look. Exotic materials make up the i8 as well. The passenger compartment is made from Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP), an extremely strong material that is 50 percent lighter than steel and 30 percent lighter than aluminum. Among its many high-tech bits is brake energy recuperation, which gathers energy created under braking and utilizes it to help keep the 11.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack charged.
Front suspension is double wishbone, while the rear is sprung through a 5-link setup. All four wheels feature cross-drilled, ventilated 13-inch anti-lock brakes with dynamic brake control and cornering brake control. The i8 rides on 20-inch alloy wheels and tires, and LEDs are employed for the headlights, daytime running lights and accent lights. Rain-sensing windshield wipers and automatic headlight control are also standard.
Inside, the 3-stage heated leather front seats feature 6-way power adjustment, with driver's side memory. A 3-spoke leather steering wheel includes paddled shifters for total driver control. Bluetooth hands-free connectivity and navigation are standard, as is voice feedback and voice command recognition, plus 20 gigabytes of storage for audio files. As with all BMWs, the i8 includes iDrive, with commands displayed on an 8.8-inch full-color flat screen. Automatic dual-zone climate control, dynamic cruise control, power accessories, and a 360-watt harman/kardon surround sound audio system featuring 11 speakers are all standard.
Four packages -- Giga World, Tera World, Pure Impulse World and Mega World -- add such features as a leather engine cover, ceramic controls and additional unique interior trim features to the i8. A variety of 20-inch wheel options, aerodynamic enhancements and a unique headlight system BMW calls "Laserlight" are also available.
Strong Design
Technological Innovation
Excellent Fuel Economy With Intense Performance Characteristics
The BMW i8 gets a mild refresh for 2019, bringing with it an improved drivetrain, sharper styling and a convertible body style. The convertible i8, dubbed the i8 Roadster loses the rear seats in favor of a foldable fabric soft top that takes just 16 seconds to store. Styling has been refreshed for both coupe and convertible around the front fascia, looking a little sharper and more modern. Meanwhile, the electric motor gives a bump in power, bringing total horsepower up to 369. Purely electric range also increases from 15 to 18 miles.
The i8 is the perfect blend of BMW's never-ending quest to build the "Ultimate Driving Machine" and its full embrace of the technologies of tomorrow. A gas-electric hybrid with few peers, the i8 offers world-beating performance and top-level luxury in an exotic package that sips fuel and promises to stand out from the crowd for a long time.
