2016 BMW i8 Price And Specs Electric Cars MotorAuthority. The i8 is the flagship of BMW's burgeoning eco-friendly i sub-brand. Offered exclusively as a coupe, the i8 uses an advanced plug-in hybrid drivetrain to provide an exhilarating driving experience
while returning better fuel economy than even the tiniest economy cars sold on these shores.The central part of the i8 is a new architecture called LifeDrive that was inaugurated by the all-electric i3 city car. Crafted out of aluminum, the Drive module includes the gas-burning engine, the electric motor, the lithium-ion battery pack and all of the car's electronic components. The Life module is built out of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and mainly consists of the 2+2 passenger compartment.By default the BMW i8 will use electric power when possible, so when we left Garching towards Munich most of the power was pure electric. Only when I pressed hard on the accelerator the petrol engine kicked in. Driving wise it is a very smooth and comfortable car, the low weight and sporty suspension setup make the i8 feel well planted. The brake feel is a bit weird at first with slightly more resistance than normal brakes due to the energy regeneration.
The BMW i8 has four drive modes; eDrive mode in which you drive pure electric until there isn’t sufficient battery power left, Comfort mode is a hybrid mode with sufficient power and air-conditioning running normally, Eco Pro mode which reduces the power output and scales the air-conditioning down to save power and fuel and last but not least sport mode. In Sport Mode the petrol engine is on all the time and the battery is recharged to offer additional power at the top of the rev range – the so called boost. Sport mode also enhance throttle responds and enhanced the sound.Power comes from a hybrid drivetrain consisting of a 231-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine located behind the seats and a 131-horsepower electric motor mounted on the front axle. The gas-burning engine sends power to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission, while the electric motor spins the front wheels through a two-stage automatic gearbox.BMW has already previewed such a car in the form of the i8 Spyder concept, which was rolled out in 2012. Reports out of Germany claim the production version is coming soon, though before it arrives we’re likely to see another concept version.
According to Auto Express, a new i8 Spyder concept will be rolled out at next month’s 2016 Consumer Electronics Show. Automakers in recent years have been using the Las Vegas event to preview their future tech and the new i8 Spyder concept is said showcase some of BMW’s upcoming connectivity and safety features.The i8 stretches 184.6 inches long, 76.5 inches wide and 51.0 inches tall, dimensions that make it as tall and as wide as an Audi R8 but ten inches longer. It wears a highly futuristic design characterized by LED lighting on both ends, scissor doors and unusual "stream flow" C-pillars designed to improve the car's airflow. Sculpted bumpers on both ends and several alloy wheel designs wrap up the look.
The BMW i8 has four drive modes; eDrive mode in which you drive pure electric until there isn’t sufficient battery power left, Comfort mode is a hybrid mode with sufficient power and air-conditioning running normally, Eco Pro mode which reduces the power output and scales the air-conditioning down to save power and fuel and last but not least sport mode. In Sport Mode the petrol engine is on all the time and the battery is recharged to offer additional power at the top of the rev range – the so called boost. Sport mode also enhance throttle responds and enhanced the sound.Power comes from a hybrid drivetrain consisting of a 231-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine located behind the seats and a 131-horsepower electric motor mounted on the front axle. The gas-burning engine sends power to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission, while the electric motor spins the front wheels through a two-stage automatic gearbox.BMW has already previewed such a car in the form of the i8 Spyder concept, which was rolled out in 2012. Reports out of Germany claim the production version is coming soon, though before it arrives we’re likely to see another concept version.
According to Auto Express, a new i8 Spyder concept will be rolled out at next month’s 2016 Consumer Electronics Show. Automakers in recent years have been using the Las Vegas event to preview their future tech and the new i8 Spyder concept is said showcase some of BMW’s upcoming connectivity and safety features.The i8 stretches 184.6 inches long, 76.5 inches wide and 51.0 inches tall, dimensions that make it as tall and as wide as an Audi R8 but ten inches longer. It wears a highly futuristic design characterized by LED lighting on both ends, scissor doors and unusual "stream flow" C-pillars designed to improve the car's airflow. Sculpted bumpers on both ends and several alloy wheel designs wrap up the look.