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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What makes the BMW i8 unique?
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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.
The BMW i8: Supercar or not?
In 2019, the i8 Roadster made an ambiguous debut. In case you forgot, the i8 Coupe made its debut in 2015 and enjoyed strong sales for a few years before declining as competition from Porsche, Mercedes-AMG, and Audi grew more intense. When AMG offered a purpose-built sportscar with a symphonic V8 and north of 500 horsepower, it was difficult to persuade them to purchase a 369-horsepower hybrid. Additionally, the ubiquitous R8 and 911 Carrera did not help.
The i8 may have simply been a little ahead of its time, the argument against it goes. It set a standard, making it different from all other cars in its class. Even though it didn’t technically have supercar performance on paper, it was one of the first production hybrid supercars. It also marked numerous firsts for BMW. And the i8 Roadster enhanced every standard that the coupe had established.
How much is the BMW i8?
You belong to a distinct cat breed. Hard-working. unconventional thinking Some people could even describe you as revolutionary or rebellious. Your spirit animal in the guise of a luxurious hybrid sports automobile may be the 2021 BMW i8. It’s a forward-thinking, unorthodox Coupe and Roadster. Sports hybrid vehicles are no longer so unique. But this one is special because it was designed specifically to harness amazing hybrid power and was expertly made to provide a driving experience unlike any other. With plenty of visual sex appeal due to its hardtop coupe or convertible roadster’s opening dihedral doors. Additionally, it has a powerful plug-in powertrain that is quicker than weaker hybrids. All of these factors combined to provide a comfortable, interesting, and user-friendly driving experience. The 2021 i8 offers brilliance for your daily life or that once-in-a-lifetime cross-country road trip, starting at $147,500. You can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and top out at 155 mph. Choose a convertible if you like to drive with the top down. It has just one motor and comes standard with all-wheel drive. Every model comes standard with heated front seats, a head-up display, a Harman/Kardon audio system, and Apple CarPlay compatibility. That certainly qualifies as a non-standard list of standards. The Tera World option, which adds ceramic controls, black brake calipers, blue seatbelts, and a special brown interior, may be just what your rebel needs to turn the heat up even higher. We know you don’t do things halfway or conventionally.
Call our sales staff at 760-469-4242 if you are looking for a new BMW i8 Model in Palm Springs, California, want to lease one, or have questions regarding price. Alternatively, if you’re ready for a test drive, stop by our BMW Dealership. In addition, we have customers from cities like Ontario, Riverside, and Murrieta, California. No matter where you’re from, BMW of Palm Springs will make you feel at home.
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.
Can you operate a BMW i8 every day?
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.
How quick is the brand-new BMW i8?
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.
Has the BMW i8 four seats?
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.
What is the price of a 2020 BMW i8?
The BMW i8 might not have met expectations as a test vehicle. The 2020 BMW i8 outperforms practically everything else as a unique two-seater that still attracts attention on the street.
The BMW i8 receives a 6.8 TCC Rating in its final year of sales, largely favoring its appearance and performance. (Learn more about our rating system for automobiles.)
BMW’s conflicting statements regarding the i8 never fully clicked. Along with the completely unrelated i3, it was intended to be an effective sports vehicle with edgy styling that also pointed to an electrified future. Some of its missions were accomplished, but not all of them. The early, shoddy days of electric performance will ultimately be remembered by a once-in-a-lifetime coupe or convertible.
The 2020 i8 is offered in coupe or roadster body styles for $148,495 and $162,295 respectively, much like last year. The price can go further with options, but every automobile attracts the same admiring glances, which is probably the point.
The i8 coupe sports flying buttresses that have never gone out of style, head-turning butterfly doors, and a low-slung design. Even among six-figure sports vehicles, the convertible is a droptop that is unique.
Performance-wise, the i8 never truly lived up to its asking price. Even though the electric motors and turbo-3 only produced 369 horsepower, they were able to accelerate the automobile from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. Both the unique carbon-fiber body and the very uncommon driveline layout that powered the rear wheels with an internal combustion engine and electric motors both contributed. (The brand-new Acura NSX has a comparable setup.)
The i8 is a better grand tourer than a pure sports vehicle, but it was lost in even more translation. The i8 only has a range of 18 miles on electricity alone after a three-hour Level 2 charge, but when paired with the engine, the i8 achieves 27 mpg combined, which is much better than any other vehicle in its price range.
Even while its seating space and baggage compartments don’t lend themselves to being a decent family car, the i8’s suspension is intended at smoother cruises as well. There is only around one roll-aboard suitcase’s worth of luggage space, or 5 cubic feet.
It seems unlikely that the i8 will ever be crashed in the name of science. We don’t advise owners to test the crashworthiness of its cutting-edge materials on their own. The i8’s optional laser headlights, which are available for an additional $6,300, are one noteworthy safety element. They are excellent, and the cost is outrageous as well.
Roadsters are roughly $16,000 more expensive than coupes, and both are available in different interior “worlds” with different colors and materials. Both vehicles come with a navigation system, an 8.8-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay compatibility, leather interiors, 20-inch wheels, heated seats, and automatic emergency braking. The generous 4-years/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper guarantee from BMW includes three years of free maintenance.
How is a BMW i8 refueled?
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.