BMW created the plug-in hybrid sports automobile known as the BMW i8. The i8 was marketed under the BMW I subbrand and was a member of BMW’s electrified lineup. The BMW i8 production model debuted at the 2013 Frankfurt Auto Show and went on sale in Germany in June 2014. In August 2014, deliveries to retail consumers in the US started. In May 2018, a roadster variation was released. June 2020 marked the end of production.
The 2015 BMW i8 featured an electronically regulated peak speed of 250 km/h and could accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.4 seconds (155 mph). A 7.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack allowed the 2015 model year i8 to have an all-electric range of 37 kilometers (23 miles) on the New European Driving Cycle. The range in EV mode was 24 km when tested using the U.S. EPA cycle (15 mi). In 2018, BMW upped the battery capacity of the i8 Roadster and Coupe to 11.6 kWh, extending the NEDC electric range to 55 km (34 mi) for the coupe and 53 km (33 mi) for the roadster.
Under the NEDC test, the BMW i8 coupe’s fuel economy was 2.1 L/100 km (134.5 mpg-imp; 112.0 mpg-US), with carbon emissions of 49 g/km. The i8’s combined fuel efficiency was assessed by the EPA at 76 MPGe (3.1 L gasoline-equivalent/100 km; 91 mpg-imp gasoline-equivalent) and 29 miles per gallon (6.7 L/100 km) while it was operating in pure gasoline mode.
The BMW i8 became the most popular plug-in electric sports car in the world by March 2020, with global sales of all variants topping 20,000 units, outpacing the combined sales of all rivals in its sector.
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EV Performance, Power, and Motor
The i8 from BMW has just one available powerplant. A 1.5-liter, three-cylinder turbocharged gas engine is coupled with an 11.6-kWh battery and two electric motors in this vehicle. With their combined 369 horsepower, the trio of engines can move all four wheels. But it’s not the quickest supercar around: In 4.1 seconds, the 2019 i8 roadster we tested could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph. The same mild steering we’ve questioned in many recent BMWs is present in the i8. More feedback is preferred, especially in a vehicle designed with sporting purposes. Surprisingly, the ride is smooth, and road imperfections are felt but never sharply.
Next month, BMW will stop making the i8 electric sports car.
The manufacture of the BMW i8, the best-selling plug-in hybrid sports car, will finish next month after producing around 20,000 units.
Today, the German manufacturer declared:
“The last stretch before reaching the “Hall of Fame” for BMW sports cars: The BMW i8’s product life cycle concludes six years after it was first introduced to the market. The plug-in hybrid sports cars will have long since cemented their place among the company’s milestones by the time manufacture of the BMW i8 Coupe ends. The BMW i8 was a groundbreaking combination of futuristic design and cutting-edge technology that launched its global success story. The first plug-in hybrid vehicle from the BMW Group set the way for driving enjoyment that was both exciting and environmentally friendly, and it quickly rose to the top of the fascination with driving using electrified drive technology. The plug-in hybrid models offered by the BMW Group today are made possible thanks to it. At the same time, the BMW i8 evolved into the most popular sports car with an electric drivetrain in the world. Since 2014, it has sold more than 20,000 units, outpacing all of its rivals in this market sector combined in sales.”
The BMW i8 concept was initially presented at the 2009 Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA).
The production model made its premiere with the BMW i3 four years later, and many people predicted that it would be the first of many new electric vehicle debuts for BMW.
The BMW i3 is still the only all-electric model offered by the German carmaker, although the BMW i8 spurred the development of numerous plug-in hybrid variants of other models.
As it affirms that production of the i8 will finish in April, BMW now claims that it is turning into a “classic automobile.”
BMW plans an all-electric future for its upcoming i8 model.
According to sources at the company, BMW is about to introduce a fully electric version of its flagship i8 sports car.
The next generation of the i8 is at a critical decision-making stage, and senior executives at the German automaker are reportedly now favoring a pure-electric model.
It was initially planned for the second-generation i8, which is anticipated to go on sale by the end of 2023, to be a powerful four-wheel drive version of the current petrol-electric hybrid. The head of BMW development Klaus Frohlich has made obvious indications of that type of setup on a number of occasions during the past year.
Thomas Beedham
SHIFT’s editor is Matthew. He like objects with wheels, wings, or hulls as well as electric autos.
The plug-in hybrid sports car i8 is nearing the end of its lifecycle, according to German automaker BMW.
According to Autocar, BMW will stop building the i8 sometime in April of this year to make room for the brand’s planned lineup of all-electric battery-powered electric vehicles (EVs). In 2014, the company’s flagship electric/hybrid vehicle debuted on the market.
But don’t worry, if you adored the high-performance, high-economy sports car known as the i8, BMW is anticipated to release a replacement within the next five years. It is speculated to have a plug-in hybrid drivetrain like the i8.
BMWi8 (I12) (I12)
The BMW i8 wasn’t really a sports car, more of a showpiece. Its unveiling astounded the world due to its tiny internal combustion engine, which could propel a car from 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) in just 4.4 seconds and up to 250 kph (155 mph). But the vehicle itself was an engineering triumph.
The 2+2 coupe’s sleek, aerodynamic vehicle was a plug-in hybrid. when auto manufacturers were launched it
Is the BMW i8 both gas and electric?
Let’s start with the design, which hasn’t altered but probably didn’t need to because the i8 is still startlingly stunning when it’s stopped and even more impressive when the dihedral doors are opened upward.
Although the i8 blends this interior design with the typical levels of BMW functionality, the cabin also offers a sense of the future. It even includes two tiny rear seats for kids since it is a 2+2. In addition, there is a luggage compartment located behind the engine, however it is somewhat small due to the storage of two charging wires.
The outside is stunning, and the interior is also really remarkable. However, the really intriguing technology is hidden behind the skin.
A plug-in hybrid is the i8. This implies that it has a gasoline engine that is linked to a six-speed Steptronic transmission and an electric motor that is driven by a lithium-ion battery and has a two-speed automatic gearbox. The lithium-ion battery’s energy capacity has increased from 20Ah to 34Ah in the most recent model of the i8, and the electric motor’s maximum power has improved by 12hp to 143hp.
You could assume that the ‘traditional portion’ of the i8’s powertrain is similar to a BMW 6-cylinder, 3-liter gasoline engine based on the vehicle’s appearance. But instead, a 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder petrol engine that came from a MINI is sat behind the passengers. a supercar powered by a 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder gasoline engine? Really? But keep in mind that the 231 horsepower of the gasoline engine is complemented by a 143 horsepower electric motor, giving the system a total power output of 374 horsepower. Now that you mention it, it makes more sense. It’s also important to note that the gasoline engine now has a particle filter.
The i8’s ability to transfer its power to the road is another concern. The front wheels receive power from the electric motor while the rear wheels receive it from the mid-mounted gasoline engine. All-wheel drive is created when these two propulsion methods are combined.
The i8 features two powertrains but only 1,535 kg of total weight thanks to its carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell.
Does the BMW i8 need gas?
The BMW i8 Coupe is a unique vehicle with futuristic styling, a hybrid motor, and a ton of amenities you won’t find in any other car in its class. That’s because it might be the purest hybrid sports car in the entire world. The i8 wants to dominate the sports car market in the future without sacrificing the design aesthetics and performance of its gasoline-powered rivals.
For almost two decades, the terms “hybrid” and “sports vehicle” were virtually synonymous. Although hybrids place a strong emphasis on improved fuel economy, performance was frequently sacrificed. The i8, however, performs both. A massive 369 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque are produced by the vehicle’s 1.5-liter twin-turbo three-cylinder engine in combination with an electric motor and 11.6-kWh lithium-ion battery.
The result is an outstanding 0-60 time of 4.0 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph for the i8.
The BMW i8 also has a plug-in hybrid powertrain, which enables you to charge the car via an outlet and only use electricity while driving. The i8 has a range of up to 18 miles when fully charged, and when it switches into hybrid/gasoline mode, it produces the equivalent of 29 mpg.
The i8 has a ton of high-tech stuff within. Highlights include head-up display, park distance control, navigation, multimedia system, and a sunroof that extends from the windshield to the rear window.
The 2018 BMW i8 Coupe is an exhilarating, daring glimpse into the future of not only BMW, but sports automobiles in general. Its ambition is undeniable. Take part in the uprising.
Is the BMW i8 a trustworthy vehicle?
i8 BMW’s dependability BMW placed 27th overall in the 2020 edition (down two spots from 25th in 2019), with 20.4% of owners reporting one or more problems within the first year of ownership.
How is a BMW i8 fueled?
The BMW i8 Hybrid is an amazing car. Few modern cars can match its exotic styling, and even fewer can claim to offer the same level of comfort for the driver and passengers. The BMW i8 leads the pack in several of these categories, but it is not without its flaws. The sticky gasoline door that can leave you trapped at the pump is one particular oddity that aggravates both vehicle owners and renters.
In an effort to create “The Ultimate Driving Machine,” BMW compressed the i8 hybrid’s whole fuel system. “Preparing To Refuel” will be shown on the dashboard when you press the fuel door release button on the driver’s door. Rarely, the door won’t open and the notification will remain on the dash. Follow these easy methods to swiftly open the fuel door if this ever occurs to you.
- On the driver’s side door, push the button to open the fuel door.
- Look at the dashboard to see the message “Preparing To Refuel.” There will probably be a percentage with this message.
- If this process doesn’t finish on its own after 30 seconds, wait some more.
- The car’s trunk should be opened. There is a trunk release on the driver’s side door as well.
- the vehicle’s passengers side access panel should be removed.
- Release the green tab.
- To release the gasoline tank door, press it.