BMW presented at Frankfurt the i8, the first hybrid 2 +2 supercar of BMW . It is the first BMW model wearing the LED lights , later it will be equipped with the new laser light fixtures, the chassis is made of CFRP and aluminum.
The i8 combines an electric motor in the front axle producing 96kW (131 hp ) with 250 Nm of torque and a turbo 1.5 liter three cylinder petrol engine at the rear axle producing 231 hp and 320 Nm of torque , the total power is 362 hp with 570 Nm torque . Both engines work with a new 6 speed gearbox which is designed specifically to maximize the performance of the car .
It has a range of 35 kilometers solely using the electric motor, it consumes just 2.5 l/100 km , it emits 59 gr/km of CO2, it can do the 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds with a top speed electronically limited to 250 km/hour. The electric motor by itself can reach a top speed of 120 km/h.
The batteries of 5 kWh charge either through simple electrical outlet within 3 hours , or by the quick charger i Wallbox within 2 hours . The combined range is more than 500 km in the Comfort program , meanwhile at the Eco Pro program the range is increased by 20%. Sport in the other hand, reduces autonomy .
The weight of not more than 1,490 kg, is achieved by the fact that several parts of the chassis and the body are made of CFRP, aluminum and magnesium.
The 2 +2 sports car has a 50:50 weight ratio , length of 4.689 mm, width of 1.942 mm and height of 1.293 mm. It has aerodynamic coefficient 0,26 Cd, it stands on 20 inch wheels , and for the first time in a production car it features Gorilla glass of Corning. So the window panes of the i8 are made of similar material as screens of mobile phones, which is just 0,7 mm thick.
The BMW i8 will be built at the Leipzig plant in order to built 10,000 units annually , while there will be no M version .
The 3 cylinder petrol engine will be built at the BMW plant in the city of Hams Hall, near Birmingham , England. Sales of the plug-in hybrid supercar are expected to begin by the end of 2013 with an initial value close to 100,000 euros.
