• • BMW i symbolises visionary vehicle concepts, inspirational design and a new take on the meaning of “premium”, with sustainability as a key defining element.
  • Market launch of the BMW i8, the second model from new brand BMW i and first plug-in hybrid vehicle from the BMW Group; distinctly forward-looking and sustainability-focused sports car; revolutionary interpretation of BMW’s hallmark driving pleasure.

• 2+2-seater with LifeDrive architecture developed specifically for BMW i, aerodynamically groundbreaking body design and visionary interior design deliver an intense driving experience; Life module passenger cell made from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP); drive system technology, high-voltage battery, chassis, and crash and structural functions integrated into the aluminium Drive module; kerb weight: 1,485 kilograms; Cd: 0.26; very low centre of gravity at less than 460 millimetres; well-balanced weight distribution.

• Emotion-led visual impression based around established BMW i design language; classical sports car proportions and fresh interpretation of BMW design attributes; doors open upwards like wings; clean lines, plus surface design (external and internal) based on the layering principle; full-LED headlights and LED rear lights as standard, laser light available as an option for the first time ever in a production car.

• All-embracing sustainability concept running like a thread through the value chain; carbon fibre production and vehicle assembly using 100 per cent renewable electricity; innovative processing methods for recycled materials together with the use of materials treated in an environmentally friendly manner ensures that all components have a totally premium look and feel; leather tanned with olive leaf extracts for the instrument panel and visible sustainability as an intrinsic element of the avant-garde design: use of CFRP, aerodynamic performance, BMW eDrive technology, lightweight engineering and resource-efficient material selection all vividly depicted; results and methodology for the BMW i8’s life-cycle assessment (LCA) certified by the TÜV SÜD German technical inspection authority in accordance with ISO 14040/44.

• Plug-in hybrid system developed and produced by the BMW Group represents the latest development stage of Efficient Dynamics; three-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology combined with BMW eDrive technology in the form of a hybrid synchronous electric motor; engine with a displacement of 1.5 litres, output of 170 kW/231 hp and maximum torque of 320 Nm (236 lb-ft); power sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox; electric motor with an output of 96 kW/131 hp and maximum torque of 250 Nm (184 lb-ft); power channelled through the front wheels via a two-stage automatic transmission; lithium-ion high-voltage battery with direct refrigerant cooling and gross capacity of 7.1 kWh.

• • Combination of BMW TwinPower Turbo and BMW eDrive technology plus intelligent energy management produce a maximum system output of 266 kW/362 hp and give the BMW i8 the performance characteristics of a pure-bred sports car (0 – 100 km/h / 62 mph in 4.4 seconds) accompanied by fuel economy and emissions figures more familiar from a small car; EU fuel consumption: 2.1 litres per 100 km (approx. 135 mpg imp), CO2 emissions: 49 g/km; exceptional efficiency in everyday driving too, with actual fuel consumption figures that are around 50 per cent lower compared to conventional sports car concepts; “glued-to-the-road” AWD driving experience with torque distribution geared towards optimised dynamics.

• • Driving Experience Control switch and eDrive button allow driver to choose from five driving modes; range of up to 37 kilometres (23 miles) on electric power alone in EU test cycle and a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph); COMFORT mode offers optimum balance between dynamics and efficiency; combined range: up to 600 kilometres (approx. 375 miles) in EU test cycle; SPORT mode with ultra-intense boost function provided by the electric motor and systematic energy recuperation for the high-voltage battery; ECO PRO mode can be used in both all-electric mode and hybrid mode.

• • Lithium-ion high-voltage battery can be recharged when stationary from any conventional domestic power socket, the BMW i Wallbox or at public charging stations; possibility of preconditioning the interior temperature and cooling the high-voltage battery while charging from the BMW i Wallbox or at a charging station; charging process can be monitored and controlled remotely by means of the BMW i Remote app for smartphones.

• • Sophisticated chassis technology featuring a double-wishbone front axle and a five-link rear axle; Electric Power Steering; Dynamic Damper Control as standard; 20-inch light-alloy wheels as standard.