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BMW i8

The BMW i8, first introduced as the BMW Concept Vision Efficient Dynamics, is a plug-in hybrid under development by BMW. The initialturbodiesel concept car was unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, and the BMW i8 gasoline-powered concept car destined for production was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.
The BMW i8 prototype has a 7.2 kWh lithium-ion battery pack estimated to deliver an all-electric range of 35 km (22 mi). The i8 prototype has an average fuel efficiency of less than 2.5 L/100 km (113.0 mpg-imp; 94.1 mpg-US) under the New European Driving Cycle with carbon emissions of less than 59 g/km.
In 2010 BMW announced the mass production of the Concept Vision Efficient Dynamics in Leipzig beginning in 2013 as the BMW i8. The i8 is part of BMW's "Project i" and will be marketed as a new brand, BMW i, sold separately from BMW or Mini. The BMW i3 will be the first model available by late 2013, followed by the i8 in 2014 as a 2015 model year. Other i models will follow. The production version of the BMW i8 will be unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show and the market launch is expected by mid 2014.
Manufacturer
BMW
Also called
BMW Concept Vision Efficient Dynamics
Production
Leipzig
Class
Sports car
Grand Tourer
Body style
Coupé
Combustion engine
1.5 liter, 3 cylinder turbo gasoline
Electric motor
98 kW (131 hp)
Battery
7.2 kWh lithium-ion battery
Range
500 km (310 mi) Comfort mode
600 km (370 mi) Eco Pro mode
Electric range
35 km (22 mi)
Wheelbase
2,800 mm (110 in)
Length
4,700 mm (190 in)
Width
1,940 mm (76 in)
Height
1,300 mm (51 in)
Curb weight
1,500 kilograms (3,300 lb)
Related
BMW i3
Designer(s)
Mario Majdandzič (Vision EfficientDynamics),
Richard Kim (i8)

Concept Vision Efficient Dynamics (diesel)

The Vision Efficient Dynamics concept car is a plug-in hybrid with a three cylinder turbodieselengine. Additionally, there are two electric motors with 139 horsepower. It allows an acceleration to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (160 mph).
According to BMW , the average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle (KV01) is 3.76 liters/100 kilometers, (75.1 mpg imp), and has a carbon dioxide emission rating of 99 grams per kilometer (1,3 l/100 km and 33g CO2/km ; EU-PHEV ECE-R101). The estimated all-electric range is 50 km (31 mi), and the 24-liter diesel tank extends the total vehicle range to up to 700 km (430 mi). The lightweight chassis is made mainly from aluminium. The windshield, top, doors and fenders are made from polycarbonate glass, with the body having a drag coefficient of 0.22.

Pre-production version

2011 Concept

The BMW i8 gasoline-powered concept plug-in hybrid electric vehicle unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show has a 7.2 kWh (26 MJ) lithium-ion battery pack that allows an all-electric range of 35 km (22 mi). Its top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (160 mph) and is expected to go from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 60 mph) in 4.6 seconds. Under normal driving conditions the i8 is expected to deliver 80 mpg-US (2.9 L/100 km; 96 mpg-imp) under the European cycle. A full charge of the battery will take less than 2 hours using 220V.
The i8 combines the electric drive system of the BMW i3, with a 96 kW (129 hp) electric motor located in the front axle powering the front wheels and at the rear is a turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder gasoline engine producing 164 kW (220 hp) and 300 Nm (220 lbft) of torque. The result is a combined output of 260 kW (349 hp). All four wheels provide regenerative braking. The location of the battery pack in the energy tunnel gives the vehicle a low centre of gravity, enhancing its dynamics. Together with the positioning of the motor and engine over the axles, the result is an optimum 50/50 weight distribution.

2013 prototype

In August 2013 BMW presented in France a prototype with the internal combustion engine, electric motor, the power electronics, liquid cooling systems and the battery developed in-house. The BMW i8 prototype has an average fuel efficiency of less than 2.5 L/100 km (113.0 mpg-imp; 94.1 mpg-US) under the New European Driving Cycle with carbon emissions of less than 59 g/km. The i8 with its carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell lightweight, aerodynamically optimized body with BMW eDrive technology offers the dynamic performance of a sports car, with an expected 0 to 60 mph (0 to 97 km/h) sprint time of less than 4.5 seconds using both power sources. The plug-in hybrid system of the BMW i8 comprises a three-cylinder, 1.5-liter BMW TwinPower turbo gasoline engine combined with BMW eDrive technology used in the BMW i3 and develops maximum power of 231 hp (170 kW). The BMW i8 is the first BMW production model to be powered by a three-cylinder gasoline engine and the resulting specific output of 154 hp (113 kW) per liter of displacement is on a par with high-performance sports car engines and is the highest of any engine produced by the BMW Group.
The BMW i8’s second power source is a hybrid synchronous electric motor specially developed and produced by the BMW Group for BMW i. The electric motor develops maximum power of 131 hp (96 kW) and produces its maximum torque of around 320 Nm (236 lbft) from standstill. Typical of an electric motor, responsive power is instantly available when starting and this continues into the higher load ranges. As well as providing a power boost to assist the gasoline engine during acceleration, the electric motor can also power the vehicle by itself. Top speed in electric mode is approximately 75 mph (121 km/h), with a maximum driving range of up to 22 mi (35 km). Linear acceleration is maintained even at higher speeds since the interplay between the two power sources efficiently absorbs any power flow interruptions when shifting gears. The BMW i8 has an electronically controlled top speed of 155 mph (249 km/h), which can be reached and maintained when the vehicle operates solely on the gasoline engine. The model-specific version of the high-voltage 7.2 lithium-ion battery has a liquid cooling system and can be recharged at a conventional household power socket, at a BMW i Wallbox or at a public charging station. In the US a full recharge takes approximately 3.5 hours from a conventional 120V, 12 amp household circuit or approximately 1.5 hours from a 220V Level 2 charger.
The driver can also select several driving modes: SPORT, COMFORT and ECO PRO. Using the gear selector, the driver can either select position D for automated gear selection or can switch to SPORT mode. SPORT mode offers manual gear selection and at the same time switches to very sporty drive and suspension settings. In SPORT mode, the engine and electric motor deliver extra performance, accelerator response is faster and the power boost from the electric motor is maximized. And to keep the battery topped up, SPORT mode also activates maximum energy recuperation during overrun and braking as the electric motor’s generator function, which recharges the battery using kinetic energy, switches to a more powerful setting. The Driving Experience Control switch on the center console offers a choice of two settings. On starting, COMFORT mode is activated, which offers a balance between sporty performance and fuel efficiency, with unrestricted access to all convenience functions. Alternatively, the ECO PRO mode can be engaged, which, on the BMW i8 as on other models, supports an efficiency-optimized driving style. On this mode the powertrain controller coordinates the cooperation between the gasoline engine and the electric motor for maximum fuel economy. On deceleration, the intelligent energy management system automatically decides, in line with the driving situation and vehicle status, whether to recuperate braking energy or to coast with the powertrain disengaged. At the same time, ECO PRO mode also programs electrical convenience functions such as the air conditioning, seat heating and heated mirrors to operate at minimum power consumption, but without compromising safety. The maximum driving range of the BMW i8 on a full fuel tank and with a fully charged battery is more than 310 mi (500 km) in COMFORT mode, which can be increased by up to 20% in ECO PRO mode. The BMW i8’s ECO PRO mode can also be used during all-electric operation. The vehicle is then powered solely by the electric motor. Only if the battery charge drops below a given level, or under sudden intense throttle application such as kickdown, is the internal combustion engine automatically activated.

Production version

The production version will be unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show. The production BMW i8 has been designed by Sonny Lim.

Sales and markets

BMW plans to sell the i8 in about 50 countries, with the U.S. expected to be the largest sales market. In Europe, the UK, Germany and France are expected to be the top markets. The BMW i8 is expected to cost more than €100,000 (GB£78,000 or US$122,800), according to BMW head of sales and marketing, Ian Robertson. Retail deliveries are expected in the second half of 2014.

Awards and recognition

In July 2011 the BMW i8 won the 2012 North American Concept Vehicle of the Year.

Gallery

front view door open
rear view door open
exterior - headlights
exterior - taillights
interior - dashboard
interior - seat and dashboard
interior - gear
interior - steering
interior - seat
interior - side view
top view
side view
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Last updated on 18 August 2013 at 09:12.

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