Likes: Unusual plug-in engine (in this class), feels speedy and light, and is as entertaining to drive as many sports cars. Short EV range and slower performance compared to competitors.
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. It’s not the quickest supercar around, though; the roadster we tested needed 4.1 seconds to go 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.
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Performance of the i8 is impressive in light of its effective powertrain, not its comparatively high cost.
Though it lacks some of the horsepower of an exotic automobile, the 2019 BMW i8 has all the aesthetics. This year’s model’s hybrid drivetrain and turbo-3 combination are more potent and can accelerate the coupe or roadster to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. That is exciting, but the M2, which costs a third less than the i8 Roadster, is a tick faster.
We still have a smile in the i8 despite that. We rate its performance as an 8. (Learn more about our rating system for automobiles.)
The i8’s electric motor was improved this year to produce more power, increasing the overall output to 369 hp, an increase of 12 horsepower from 2017, the final year the i8 was offered. The tiny 1.5-liter turbo-3 delivers 228 horsepower and 236 lb-ft, while the electric motor adds 141 horsepower and 184 lb-ft to the overall output.
According to the EPA, the front wheels can be driven by the electric motor by themselves for up to 18 miles. The electric motor, which is located between the driver and the passenger, uses a 2-speed gearbox to shift power as the vehicle accelerates to its top speed of 135 mph. The i8 accelerates slowly up to 75 mph in its constrained range when driven in the most energy-efficient “Max e-Mode,” yet a steep pedal jab past a detent can engage the internal combustion engine for extra acceleration.
The i8 shifts to “Comfort” mode, which is its default setting, after the battery is empty, and the BMW runs like a conventional hybrid. The i8 typically accelerates under electric power alone from a stop and engages its active turbo-3 when extra oomph is required.
While selecting “Sport” mode places the biggest demands on the electric and turbo-3 powertrains, it performs worse than comparably priced competitors from Porsche, Audi, or Mercedes-Benz. Sport mode also uses engine overrun and regenerative braking to fill the rechargeable battery. This is a pleasant feature for our lead feet because it allows us to recharge the i8 by driving it enthusiastically.
The i8 can keep up with other sport coupes when driven like a sports car, though it may fall behind hot-shoe drivers in 911s, R8s, or GT-Rs.
The i8’s secret is that it has a cutting-edge powertrain and is more suited for large tours.
The i8 speaks to that grand-touring approach in terms of braking, steering, and its relatively soft suspension arrangement, and its lightweight carbon-fiber design balances out the heavy batteries.
The incredibly difficult programming challenge of managing all the possible configurations of driving circumstances, power consumption, braking, sensor inputs, and everything else has been handled admirably by BMW. The i8 offers pleasantly neutral handling despite shifting power throughout the chassis. The electric power steering is accurate, and the steering wheel provides good (simulated) input.
This Is It for the BMW i8 Roadster, With A Little More Power and Range
A little over three years after it originally appeared on the German market, we discovered BMW’s once-revolutionary i8 hybrid to be in a precarious position. Technology has advanced, even though the Bavarians’ halo sports vehicle still possesses the design and driving qualities that made it unique when it was first introduced. Performance electric vehicles (EVs) of today offer greater speed and much increased range; one example of a hybrid is the Acura NSX. And Honda has created a legitimate supercar that costs not much more than an i8 Coupe.
The following appears to be BMW’s response for the 2019 model year: Here are 12 more horsepower and up to an additional 3 miles of pure electric range, so please disregard the roof.
More specifically, the new i8 Roadster has an electric soft top that unfolds in three pieces and folds into a flattened Z in less than 16 seconds at up to 31 mph. BMW developed the geometric aluminum components joining the roof mechanism to the body using a novel 3D printing technique.
We’re looking at a total output of 369 horsepower when the 1.5 three-cylinder turbopowers the rear and the electric motorpowers the front wheels. Combined with a larger battery pack, this results in a pure electric range of 18 miles on a great day.
According to these figures, the i8 family remains on the conservative side with a speed of 4.2 seconds for the Coupe and 4.4 seconds for the Roadster, whereas Elon Musk’s new Tesla Roadster can promise a 0-60 run in 1.9 seconds.
The fact that the battery pack’s capacity has increased from 20 to 34 Ah and that its gross energy capacity has increased from 7.1 to 11.6 kilowatt hours may be more significant. This is where the 184 lb-ft of instantaneous electric torque and the additional 12 horsepower come from.
The 2019 i8s can be fully charged in under three hours using a specialist BMW I Charging Station, which can offer 7.2 kW of power to charge the high-voltage.
The Coupe and the Roadster can both go up to 65 mph entirely on electric power, according to BMW, and the 1.5-liter turbo engine’s sound has also been improved. In typical German style, the top speed is still capped at 155 mph.
The i8 Roadster weighs 3513 pounds when empty, which is 132 pounds more than the Coupe. BMW had to redesign its frameless gullwing doors, which are also composed of CFRP, as well as the entire windscreen frame and all body components, including the side skirts with their oversized cross-sections, in order to accommodate the soft top.
The 2019 BMW i8 is an excellent vehicle that has been enhanced by its debut as a roadster. And it certainly appears alluring in this brand-new E-Copper shade. finally a paint color name that makes sense. We are eager to test drive it.
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.
How quickly is a BMW i8?
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.
A Tesla is faster than a BMW i8, right?
Top speed is 197 mph, which is four mph slower than the coupe’s record. There is also the R8 Spyder Plus, which has 603 horsepower, if you want even more power.
How far is the range of a BMW i8?
The BMW i8 engine is quite tuneable, and like other turbocharged engines, it is possible to boost performance, throttle response, and torque.
Is the BMW i8 a sporty vehicle?
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 vehicle is in EcoPro mode to provide a total range of 330 miles.
What fuel does the BMW i8 use?
The i8’s production was supposed to expire in April 2020, but the German automaker was forced to delay it since one of its factories was shut down by the coronavirus outbreak. The last BMW i8 has just gone off the assembly line; it is a roadster with Portimao Blue paint.
BMW i8: Plug-in or not?
Boot and passenger space Although the i8 Coupe has four seats, the back seats are only suitable for small passengers or one of Snow White’s friends. Given that, you’re not really losing anything by only having two seats in the soft-top model.
Can the BMW i8 operate on gas?
As a daily driver, the i8 really shines. Comfortable seats, good visibility, and ease of traffic maneuverability are all present. It may throw you around a little on a rough road, but it won’t ruin your trip. The doors are not too bad in terms of quality.
Is the BMW i8 snow-capable?
3.0 CSL BMW The rarest BMW model ever sold at auction is this one, according to experts. The 3.0 CSL has a 3.5-liter M30B34 engine, fresh painted exterior stripe accents, and original 14-inch wheels with Michelin XWX tires.
Why was the BMW i8 withdrawn from sale?
The procedure begins automatically as soon as the car is linked to the Wallbox through the charge cable, but it can be stopped at any time by pushing the stop button. The BMW i8 charges in a maximum of two hours with the BMW I Wallbox Pure for home installation.
Has the BMW i8 got four seats?
Even though it doesn’t look like it, the BMW I8 has two back seats. Even though they might not be large enough for an adult or even a teenager, a small child could ride in the back seat in comfort and safety.
How large is the BMW i8’s fuel tank?
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. In contrast, its stylish exoticness belies both its high cost and low operating expenses.
When was the i8 made available?
The i8 doesn’t have the range anxiety of conventional electric vehicles because it is a plug-in hybrid. It can theoretically travel just over 300 miles with a full tank of petrol in its 32-liter onboard tank.
Which BMW is the rarest?
- Competition Coupe BMW M8.
- Competition BMW M5.
- Bimmer M4 GTS
- M760Li xDrive by BMW. It’s a little surprising to see any 7 Series iteration on this list.
- 30 Years of BMW M5. The modern BMW M5 is in high demand because to its astounding performance and great usability.