You could have to sacrifice some performance and efficiency because the tiny 1.5-liter gasoline engine would have to put in all the effort to charge the HV battery so it could power the front electric motor. There is a little less power to drive the back wheels since you have to run the generator that charges the HV battery. Since the energy needed to power the vehicle must come from somewhere, something would have to give. As a result, maybe you’d only get a heavy mini’s performance. The electric motor may supplement the gasoline engine or provide some kilometers of all-electric drive with a fully charged HV battery, which is primarily what makes the i8 so efficient. It only requires approximately 3–4 hours to fully charge the device’s relatively modest battery, so could you not charge it at work in a neighboring parking lot?
Makes absolutely no logic yet works well. PHEVs can only reach the mentioned consumption rates with daily charging and daily driving distances of up to 100 km. The i8 is a gem of efficiency. There are far better value options for a powerful sports car. Parking is not possible when using an outlet.
Because of this, PHEVs have a terrible image. This demonstrates that those who advocate for treating individuals like ICEs and measuring their consumption using empty batteries are correct. So I only ever advise purchasing a PHEV if daily charging is planned.
However, as was already said, there is absolutely no problem with never charging the car. You would also need fairly full batteries for constant boosting if Sports Mode were engaged while driving normally under low load.
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Economy and emissions of the BMW i8
The BMW i8 Coupe has a combined fuel economy rating of 149.8 mpg and CO2 emissions of 42 g/km. The official range of the electric vehicle is 34 miles, which represents an increase of 50% over the previous generation. These numbers are from the updated WLTP test, however they have also been connected to the NEDC “equivalent.”
The official combined fuel economy for PHEVs in NEDC testing and the new WLTP cycle, as regular readers of Green Car Guide reviews are aware, is meaningless because real-world economy will fully depend on how far you drive and what percentage of your journey is done on electric power.
We averaged 44.0 mpg on the 350-mile trip from Manchester to Birmingham to Bedford and back in the real-world test described above. That’s a commendable outcome for a vehicle like the i8 that is enjoyable to drive. We got 51.5 mpg on average overall. Of course, getting the official 150 mpg rating could be simple if you only drive locally and with electric power.
In eDrive mode, you can travel up to 75 mph on electric power. When the gasoline tank and batteries were both full, the i8 showed a range of 380 to 500 miles.
The i8 has to be plugged in to charge, just like any other plug-in vehicle. It is advised to use a home charger, while you may also use quick and rapid public chargers all throughout the UK.
Is charging a pain in the rear?
Depends, really. BMW will install a “Wall Box” for PS315 models that looks like it will make charging pleasant and simple, not to mention quicker, providing you an 80% charge in around two hours. It’s a hassle if you don’t have that or a garage with a power outlet. It was a hassle to have to trail an extension cord through my garden and into the home using the cat flap, even though I have a driveway (sorry, cats). Additionally, you’re going to have a terrible time if you simply park on the street or reside in an apartment.
According on your power tariff, it should only take you around eight hours to fully charge the device from empty. The i3, which has a far bigger battery capacity, often costs PS2 to fully charge. As it’s difficult to keep the batteries charged when you’re not driving erratically, with the car in sport mode and severe braking giving you loads of juicy re-generation, you do want to be charging quite frequently.
I also tried a “Charge Now” public charging station at a mall, which, after a few tries that didn’t work and some shouting, actually worked quite well. Although parking was provided for free, there is still a fee.
Can you use a Tesla charger to charge a BMW i8?
Yes, you may use a Tesla charging station to recharge your BMW electric vehicle. It can have some restrictions, though, and you might need to purchase other components like an adaptor. BMW electric cars and other non-Tesla vehicles may use any of the numerous Tesla charging stations located throughout the US thanks to a few available Tesla adapters.
I’m Scott, a huge fan of BMWs and a long-time owner of these incredible vehicles. I’m here to chronicle my encounters with BMWs over the years and, hopefully, to be of use to others.
Does the i8 allow for in-car charging?
Although you can plug in the i8 to fully charge the battery, if you drive in EV mode and completely drain the battery, you can recharge it while you’re on the road. This is especially noticeable in Sport mode.
How far can a BMW i8 travel on a single charge?
The i8 is an emissions-focused vehicle, as you might imagine. It can be driven totally on electricity for 22 miles at up to 75 mph, or you may combine the two power sources when the car is in EcoPro mode to provide a total range of 330 miles.
Although 134 mpg of fuel consumption is stated, really, you should anticipate to get closer to 35 to 40 mpg in everyday driving. Since the implementation of new VED laws in April 2017, vehicles with emissions of 49g/km are no longer exempt from the congestion charge and VED.
The i8 will, in general, be more efficient than almost every other conventionally powered vehicle in its class in daily driving, but those claimed economy figures are, at best, fanciful unless you spend most of your time driving about solely on battery power. As a result, the i8 is most advantageous financially and practically when the owner can charge it frequently, maybe both at home and at work.
Is the BMW i8 being replaced?
BMW displayed the Vision M Next design concept, which most likely hinted at the following electric sports car.
Gran Turismo was the beginning of it all. Sean has always had a fascination with things that move thanks to his early PlayStation days. He worked as a freelancer for Motor Authority, The Car Connection, and Green Car Reports before joining the Roadshow team. Sean has a 2016 Chevrolet SS, and it does have Holden badges, in the garage.
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It’s probably best if we don’t discover more about the vehicle programs that were canceled as a result of the coronavirus epidemic because doing so simply fuels regrets about what might have been. But regrettably, it appears that the anticipated BMW i8 replacement is no longer an option.
As a result of the coronavirus forcing so many businesses to cut costs, BMW canceled the replacement, according to a story from Germany’s Manager Magazin in late April. Low-selling sports vehicles are never the wisest investments, and as the world frets over the future of the economy, a sports car probably elicited unfavorable responses within BMW. According to the article, the automaker ended the program primarily due to costs. Naturally, we have no way of knowing if this is the case, but it probably is.
The Vision M Next design study that BMW unveiled this summer gave us a potential sneak peek at the upcoming sports car. The crazy style appeared to be a beautiful step up from the already futuristic i8 and was wedgy, edgy, and cutting-edge. The vehicle had a turbocharged inline-four that produced 600 horsepower and could travel 62 miles on electricity alone, making it a powerful plug-in hybrid. The technology used, such as facial recognition to open the car, was characteristic of a concept from the future.
BMW declined to comment further on the rumors, emphasizing that the Vision M Next was “not a concept car for a specific model but a design study that was displayed at numerous motor shows last year.”
We’ll probably never find out what happened to the i8 replacement, though. We can find solace in the fact that there are a ton of other M models.
The BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid, right?
An illustration of a Personal Contract Purchase: Cash price PS10,000, deposit PS150, and borrowing PS8,500 for 4 years at a representative 7.4% APR (fixed). A total of PS4127.50 will be paid after 47 instalments of PS132.04. PS1833.38 is the total cost of credit. Payable in total is PS11,833.38. 8,000 miles per year as a base. If excess miles is used, there are fees. Finance subject to status; only those 18+.
The BMW i8 offers a combination of style, performance, and efficiency that is unmatched by any other vehicle in its class. It’s not as entertaining to drive as the more affordable, class-leading Porsche 911, but many will find the dramatic style and eco-friendly image alluring.
While it can’t quite match the i8’s supercar-like appearance, performance is by no means inadequate, and there is more than enough power to enjoy driving. However, experienced drivers may find the driving experience to be a little disjointed; if you require a practical daily sports car, there are more roomy competitors available.
The BMW i8 is a novel offering in the market for high-end sports cars. The i8, a Porsche 911 challenger, injects some environmental awareness into the market with the help of its petrol-electric plug-in hybrid drivetrain. Its expensive pricing and affordable operating expenses are both belied by its exotic appearance.
The BMW i8 joins the i3 hatchback as a member of BMW’s I eco lineup. It has a superior carbon fiber construction for strength and lightness, and its 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine and electric motor work together to deliver power to all four wheels. It’s still a relatively uncommon sight, especially given that BMW has been selling the i8 since 2014. The vehicle is not as prevalent as its Porsche 911 competitor due to low production levels.
At first glance, the powertrain idea doesn’t sound all that interesting, especially if you want your supercars to have large multi-cylinder engines. By sportscar standards, the i8’s three-cylinder engine only puts out 228 horsepower, but there is an additional 141 horsepower from an electric motor driving the front wheels to help provide the necessary power.