The i8 has a top speed of 155 mph and can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in under 4.4 seconds. As a result, its straight-line performance is comparable to that of a genuine BMW M vehicle.
The i8’s engine, which BMW expertly designed, is responsible for the power. Unbelievably, the 1.5-liter, three-cylinder MINI Cooper served as the engine’s source. However, it has been altered to provide more naughtiness, producing 231 horsepower while receiving an additional 143 horsepower from an electric motor. The i8 is by no means slow thanks to the innovative hybrid configuration.
As a result, the i8 not only has a sharp appearance but also has the ability to move quickly when necessary, and since it is a BMW, the driving experience is also rather good.
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The I8’s efficiency
A 98kw electric motor installed by BMW in the I8 only produced 131 horsepower on its own. The little 1.5L inline 3-cylinder engine used in some slower Mini Cooper automobiles didn’t seem to impress many people, either. The 3-cylinder engine only generated 228 horsepower, which is not particularly spectacular for what many people would consider a contemporary supercar.
Up to the 2018 model year, the engine and electric motor worked together to produce 357 horsepower. Power was then slightly increased to 369 horsepower. No of the year, you can anticipate receiving a startling 420 lb-ft of torque.
But just how quick was the BMW I8? Although many drivers are aware that performance is more than simply power and that there are certain fairly common comparison tests, we can get a broad notion of how the automobile will perform when we talk about horsepower. The I8 typically finished the quarter-mile race in 12.1 seconds and at a speed of 116 mph. Its electronically controlled top speed is 155 mph. Our final test is the 0 to 60 mph test, which naturally takes the longest and results in an amazing 3.6 seconds.
Although it lacks the absurd horsepower of the new 3-cylinder hybrid that the new Koenigsegg Gemera boasts, drivers note that the I8 handles remarkably well and that the given torque allows it an amazing launch from a complete stop. When in sports mode, the supercar offers a thrilling but comfortable ride; when in eco mode, the car entirely transforms and offers a tranquil and relaxing experience.
HIGH SPEED
A BMW i8’s top speed. In comparison to the Mercedes and Audi, the i8’s 6-speed automatic transmission allows the premium coupe to go from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.4 seconds. Additionally, the peak speed of the BMW i8 is limited to 155 mph (250 km/h), which is considerably slower than the top speeds of other supercars, which can reach more than 190 mph (300 km/h). However, this opulent and elegant vehicle was not designed to be a racer.
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The i8 is seen in the video accelerating to 155 mph from a complete stop on a famous German roadway. BMW claims the i8 can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (100 kph) in 4.2 seconds, which is quick given the hybrid powertrain of the vehicle. The i8 is powered by an 11.6 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery and a turbocharged 1.3-liter inline-three engine. 369 horsepower (275 kilowatts) and 420 pound-feet (569 Newton-meters) of torque are produced collectively. An eight-speed automatic transmission distributes power to all four wheels.
Even though hybrid powertrains are far more widespread now, the BMW i8 still seems like a car from a future we have yet to realize as 2019 comes to a close. Unfortunately, the BMW i8 won’t last for very long. There won’t be a “direct replacement for the i8,” according to BMW Director of Development Klaus Frolich, earlier this year. Later, BMW stated earlier this month that it would stop producing the i8 in April 2020. The BMW i8 didn’t sell in large quantities—this month saw the production of the 20,000th i8—but it helped popularize hybrid vehicles in a similar way to how Tesla did with electric vehicles.
Video: BMW i8 Coupe performs a top-speed run that seems nostalgic
Sometimes it’s simple to overlook how ancient the BMW i8 and i3 actually are. For instance, it’s difficult to believe that the 2013 introduction of the i8 because it still has a very futuristic appearance. Yet it is approaching seven years old and has been around for more than six. However, the futuristic plug-in hybrid still stands out from the crowd, which is why it’s so well-liked today. It wasn’t intended to be a supercar in the first place, regardless of performance.
I concur with others who feel it’s unfortunate BMW didn’t choose a more daring powerplant for the i8. Although I can see why the i8 was introduced with a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine under the hood, I believe a more daring strategy would have also been successful. The i8 set out to demonstrate that you could enjoy driving while still helping the environment, and I believe it succeeded in doing so.
Last year, the plug-in hybrid underwent a makeover that added a little bit more power. The car in the video below is the latest variant, and according to BMW, it should be a little bit faster. It has 374 HP and 570 Nm of torque. The reported time for the 0-62 mph sprint is 4.4 seconds, but the video made by the folks at AutoTopNL shows 4.3 seconds. If you ask me, things are more than decent after that.
In just under 11 seconds, the i8 accelerates from 62 mph to 124 mph (100 km/h to 200 km/h), which is not bad at all. In fact, the i8 can be shown accelerating from 0 to 124 mph (0 to 200 km/h) in just 15.38 seconds and hitting its electronically regulated top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h) in just under 34 seconds during the final run in the video. Not bad for a car that is six years old and has a 1.5-liter, three-cylinder engine.
What is the BMW i8’s speed?
Most recent information: By the end of 2018, India is anticipated to introduce the refreshed i8 Coupe and the new BMW i8 Roadster, which were both on display at the 2018 Indian Auto Expo in February.
Price and options for the BMW i8: The i8 is not presently available in India. When it was put up for sale in the nation, the pricing was set at Rs 2.62 crore (ex-showroom India).
Powertrain of the BMW i8: The plug-in hybrid sports car’s powertrain combines an electric motor with a gasoline engine to provide propulsion for all four wheels.
The 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder mid-mounted engine in the BMW i8 drives the rear wheels and has a maximum output of 235PS and 320Nm. The front axle is driven by an electric motor with a 131PS and 250Nm rating. The hybrid system’s total combined output is 570Nm and 363PS. When driven in full electric mode, the electric motor is coupled with a 2-speed gearbox instead of the engine’s 6-speed automatic transmission.
Performance: The BMW i8 can reach its electronically limited top speed of 250 kmph after accelerating from 0 to 100 kmph in just 4.4 seconds.
Fuel economy and range: The hybrid sports car, the BMW i8, has a certified fuel economy of 47.45 kmpl and an all-electric range of 25 to 35 kilometers. In EV mode, the i8 has a top speed of up to 120 kph.
Features of the BMW i8: The BMW i8 is a high-end vehicle and is outfitted accordingly. Six airbags, ABS with braking assist and cornering brake control, ISOFIX child seat anchors, dynamic stability control with dynamic traction control, and other safety features come standard. Others include a 10.2-inch iDrive infotainment display with a 360W Harman Kardon 11-speaker surround sound system, automatic LED lighting on both ends, dual-zone climate control, powered front seats, a multi-view camera with object recognition, a BMW head-up display, and front and rear parking sensors, among others.
Competition for the BMW i8: Since the i8 is the only plug-in hybrid sports car available in the nation, it has no real competitors.
A Tesla is faster than a BMW i8, right?
A software cap limits the top speed of the BMW i8 at 155 mph. The BMW i8 can be used on a racetrack or a salt flat in the desert thanks to its software. Additionally, the Tesla S incorporates software that caps the highest speed at only 130 mph. As a result, the maximum speed of the BMW i8 is marginally higher than that of the Tesla S.
Is the BMW i8 a wise purchase?
Highs Unconventional design that feels swift and light and is comfortable enough for daily wear. Lows Not at all practical, not as swift as it seems, and the interior has too many plastic components. Verdict The i8 is a stylish and economical substitute for genuine exotic sports cars.
BMW i8: A supercar or not?
The BMW i8 is a cutting-edge supercar that shows hybrid vehicles don’t have to be dull. In order to give serious performance, a potent turbocharged petrol engine and a cutting-edge electric motor team up, plus some look-at-me style ensures that you’ll stand out wherever from Kensington High Street to a Green Party convention.
The i8 initially went on sale in 2014, but in 2018 it gained an upgraded electric powertrain and increased electric range. Even with the upward-hinging doors splayed wide open, the BMW’s outrageous appearance still looks more dramatic than cars like the Honda NSX and Audi R8.
Although the cabin is less theatrical, it nevertheless features a sophisticated minimalist design with plenty of soft materials and a digital driver’s display as standard instead of traditional dials.
The BMW i8 has four seats, which is unusual for supercars and helps to make it surprisingly simple to live with. The 154-liter boot may not have enough room for a set of golf clubs, but it is larger than the Audi’s load bay, and the front seats in the BMW provide plenty of room for taller passengers to sit comfortably.
The i8 is one of the quietest and greenest supercars available, but it’s definitely not a car for wimps – just look at those ridiculous doors!
The i8 is also more enjoyable to drive than the majority of conventional supercars, in part due to its unnervingly silent electric motor and reassuringly plush suspension. Driving in the city isn’t particularly challenging because of the reasonable visibility and the lack of bothersome wind or tyre noise at freeway speeds.
But when you switch to sport mode, things get a little rowdier. The i8’s speakers broadcast synthetic engine noises into the cabin as the three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine whirrs to life. The BMW i8 will sprint from 0-62mph in a still-pretty-blooming-exciting 4.4 seconds thanks to the quick shove from its electric powertrain, albeit it’s not quite as thrilling as hearing a 5.2-liter V10 screaming away behind you as in a R8. That outruns a Porsche 911 Carrera 4 in speed.
The i8’s extensive use of lightweight carbon fiber maximizes its electric-only range while also making it as maneuverable as feasible on a winding country road. You can travel up to 75 mph for about 30 miles and practically silently on a three-hour charge from a dedicated wall charger. When you run out of electrical power, the gasoline engine automatically kicks in to propel you forward while also recharging the batteries.
This means that, unlike many other electric vehicles, the BMW i8 will never cause you to experience range anxiety. The many safety features you receive as standard, such as automatic emergency braking, which applies the brakes if the vehicle detects an obstruction on the road ahead, also aid in relieving your concerns.
The i8 is a very accomplished sports hybrid and a worthy alternative to models like the more traditional Porsche 911 and the more expensive Honda NSX, even though it isn’t the most thrilling supercar to drive.