Frankfurt 2013: BMW i8 Debuts, Priced For US

  The BMW i8 has made its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and has been given a price for when it goes on sale in the US in the spring of 2014. The innovative, all-wheel-drive, plug-in hybrid sports car will have a starting cost of $135,925.

 

The BMW i8 is a 2+2-seater, which uses a turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine in tandem with an electric motor. The gas engine supplies 231 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels, while the electric motor puts 131 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque to the front. This puts combined maximum output at 362 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. This pushes the i8 from 0-62 miles per hour in 4.4 seconds, and it has a top speed limited electronically to 155 miles per hour. Still the combined fuel economy is 94 miles per gallon.

 

 

Using a standard 110-volt outlet, the i8 can recharge its battery to a full charge in just 3.5 hours. Using a BMW I Charging station shortens that to 1.5 hours.

 

The i8 features a Driver Experience Control switch and eDrive, which allows the driver to choose between five driving modes, depending on the situation. In all-electric mode, the i8 has a range of up to 22 miles and a top speed of 75 miles per hour. Comfort mode balances dynamics and efficiency, and is the default choice for everyday driving, offering a range of over 310 miles. Sport mode will reduce that range, as the electric motor will be used to boost power, but it maximizes energy regeneration through deceleration and braking. (Sport mode also optimizes suspension damping and power steering for a performance driving profile). Eco Pro mode aims for maximum efficiency, and can be used in all-electric or hybrid mode.

 

 

Weight savings was a driving factor in the creation of the BMW i8, which manages a very respectable curb weight of 3285 pounds despite the necessary inclusion of a lithium-ion battery pack. The car uses an aluminum frame, and a passenger cell made from carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic. The battery is mounted in the center of the car beneath the floor, providing a low center of gravity and improved balance. The i8 has a near perfect 50/50 weight distribution, which should make handling excellent.

 

 

Just by glancing at the i8, one can see that this car is special, innovative, and full of technology. The scissor doors are a dead giveaway to something unique. The Full-LED headlights are impressive, but more so are the optional laser headlights. The i8 has a Speed Limit Info system, which monitors the route for speed and passing restrictions. This system uses a camera to gather information from the road and checks it against the navigation system. A heads-up display inside the car projects important information onto the windshield, so the driver need not take their eyes off the road to check speed, status alerts, speed limits, etc. BMW’s ConnectedDrive Services offers real-time driving information, online entertainment, and app connectivity.

 

 

We simply cannot wait to see the BMW i8 take to American roads this spring, and with a relatively attainable price of #135925 (including destination charges), we expect to spot a few of them fairly early on.

 

Have a closer look at the BMW i8 in the attached gallery, or scroll down for more details in the press release, below. Also, visit our Master Landing Page for the i8 for even more content.