i8 [Official] BMW i8 World Premiere

[Sunny]

BMW i8

World premiere for the BMW i8, the second model from new brand BMW i. First plug-in hybrid vehicle from the BMW Group and world’s most forward-looking sports car; revolutionary interpretation of BMW’s hallmark driving pleasure; groundbreaking premium character clearly defined in terms of sustainability.

• 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: 1,490 kilograms; Cd: 0.26; very low centre of gravity (below 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 features; doors open upwards like wings; clean lines, plus surface design (external and internal) based on the layering principle; full-LED headlights as standard, innovative laser headlights – unique worldwide – available as an option.
• Plug-in hybrid system developed and produced by the BMW Group represents the latest development stage of Efficient Dynamics; debut for three-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, displacement: 1.5 litres, output: 170 kW/231 hp, maximum torque: 320 Nm (236 lb-ft); power sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox; model-specific hybrid synchronous electric motor, output: 96 kW/131 hp, maximum torque: 250 Nm (184 lb-ft); power channelled through the front wheels via a two-stage automatic transmission; lithium-ion high-voltage battery with liquid cooling and usable capacity of 5 kWh.
• Combination of BMW TwinPower Turbo and BMW eDrive technology plus intelligent energy management produce system output of 266 kW/362 hp (max. torque: 570 Nm / 420 lb-ft) and give the BMW i8 the performance characteristics of a pure-bred sports car (0 – 100 km/h / 62 mph in 4.4 seconds) combined with fuel economy and emissions figures more familiar from a small car (EU fuel consumption: 2.5 litres per 100 km / 113 mpg imp); “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 35 kilometres (22 miles) on electric power alone and a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph); COMFORT mode offers optimum balance between dynamics and efficiency; combined range in everyday conditions: over 500 kilometres (310 miles); SPORT mode with ultra-intense boost function provided by the electric motor; ECO PRO mode can be used in both all-electric mode and hybrid mode.
• Sophisticated chassis technology featuring a double-wishbone front axle and a five-link rear axle; Electric Power Steering; Dynamic Damper Control comes as standard; 20-inch light-alloy wheels are standard, carbon wheels are optional.
• Intelligent lightweight construction with elements including a CFRP passenger cell, doors with a CFRP-aluminium structure, an instrument panel with magnesium support, an aluminium chassis and a partition between the passenger compartment and boot made from thin glass; comprehensive safety concept and an ultra-torsionally stiff passenger cell.
• Extensive standard equipment includes the Navigation system Professional with proactive drive system for all-electric driving, fully-digital instrument display, BMW iDrive with freestanding Control Display and leather sports seats; choice of four exterior paint finishes and four interior equipment variants.
• Wide range of BMW ConnectedDrive features: Park Distance Control, cruise control system with braking function, rain sensor and Intelligent Emergency Call function as standard; optional driver assistance package with High Beam Assistant, a rear view camera, Surround View, Speed Limit Info including No Passing Info display, and Collision Warning with pedestrian recognition and braking function; also available are the Head-Up Display, BMW Online Entertainment, Concierge Services, Real Time Traffic Information and mobility services developed specifically for BMW i, e.g. intermodal route guidance.
• Services specifically developed for BMW i as part of the 360° ELECTRIC programme: BMW i Wallbox for convenient battery charging at home, ChargeNow card giving customers a cash-free payment option at public charging stations, innovative mobility services such as MyCityWay and ParkatmyHouse; flexible sales concept enables made-to-measure mobility solutions.
• All-embracing sustainability concept running like a thread through the value chain; carbon fibre production and vehicle assembly using 100-per cent renewable electricity; high proportion of recycled materials; use of materials manufactured and treated in an environmentally friendly manner.

The official press release.

Source: BMW AG

 

[PanterroR]

 

[PanterroR]

It desperately needs WIDE TIRES!

 

[Centurion]

Colour me pleasantly stunned. What a stunner. The Jetson future is here and the R8 is no longer the most futuristic looking car on the market.


But how will the huge key/remote fit in the tiny pockets of my running tights?

 

[PanterroR]

A little bit for Martin, Sunny and Monster...

 

[PanterroR]

And sketches...

 

[Sayyaaf]

Appreciate the technology but not the design. The double A/c vents on the passenger side are weird.

 

[EnI]

CFRP wheels & Laser Headlights optional - in markets where regulation allows such tech.

Full-LED headlights as standard, globally unique laser light available as an innovative option.

The slim headlights of the BMW i8 team up with the BMW kidney grille to form a horizontal unit emphasising the car’s width. The plug-in hybrid sports car is fitted as standard with powerful and energy-efficient full-LED headlights. In their lower section, the light sources are framed by a U-shaped bar into which are integrated the daytime driving lights, sidelights and direction indicators.

The intricately designed rear light clusters also feature the U-shape typical of BMW i cars. All of the lights on the BMW i8 are LEDs as standard.

The BMW i8 is the world’s first series-produced vehicle to be available as an option with innovative laser headlights, which generate a pure-white, extremely bright light that is pleasant to the eye. The light is created through the conversion of the beams emitted by tiny laser diodes by means of a fluorescent phosphor material inside the headlight. Laser lighting is monochromatic, which means that the light waves all have the same length. They also have a constant phase difference. As a result, laser lighting can produce a near-parallel beam with impressive luminance, which gives it an intensity a thousand times greater than that of conventional LEDs. The beam can also be adjusted extremely precisely. At the same time, the further optimised inherent efficiency of laser lighting means that laser headlights have less than half the energy consumption of even LED headlights, which are already very efficient; laser lighting generates approximately 170 lumens (a photometric unit of light output) per watt, whereas LED lighting generates only around 100 lumens per watt.

CFRP wheels reduce weight in critical areas.

The chassis components of the BMW i8 are defined by their weight-minimised construction. The car’s standard-fit 20-inch forged aluminium wheels have an aerodynamically optimised, lightweight design.

CFRP wheels developed exclusively for the BMW i8 can be specified as an option and allow a further reduction in weight in an area of the car which plays a particularly prominent role when it comes to agility. The use of three-piece wheels made from this extremely lightweight and high-strength material directly reduces unsprung masses and produces a weight saving of three kilograms per wheel.

BMW Laserlight:

IAA 2013: Weltpremiere des BMW i8, erste Live-Fotos vom Flügeltürer

 

[SKY]

I still dislike the front overhang and the overall profile, but the front and rear look nice and the interior looks fantastic.

Overall a very good job.

 

[bmwownage]

I like the interior, nice interpretation of everything, things are not overdone or underdone.
Outside looks as expected, we've seen too much of the concept. The only thing not so good is because it is a green car, without all the vents etc... if this is a V10 or something we're going to get nice exhausts, nice front air intakes, nice diffuser, wide tires, pity we won't get one. Other than that i think the exterior/profile is that of a super car.

 

[klier]

It desperately needs WIDE TIRES!

To increase fuel consumption?

It's an e-car my friend

 

[JLBM]

STUNNING JOB.

 

[klier]

The double A/c vents on the passenger side are weird.

Seriously? This car with some pretty radical design elements and you find the AC vents weird
Haha, I can think of some other weird things, for sure!!

 

[EnI]

 

[Zafiro]

Interior is over the top, not so sure about exterior.

 

[braaf]

This looks sooooo much better than expected. the white one looks fantastic, and those wheels on the white 1 are awesome. Martin, I take back what i said about those vents, they look classy.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Ok so my Birthday is tomorrow, so anyone would like to order this for me please go right ahead. I would prefer it in black.

@Human @klier

Good job BMW! I am impressed.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Apart from the atrocious vent layout in the interior, I'm sold.

VERY happy for BMW. It will do wonders for their brand image, which is much needed given their recent form. It looks fantastically futuristic and a far cry from their staid GT and SUV offerings of late.

MB and AUDI should be panicking slightly.

 

[HighestOfHigh]

Interior is over the top, not so sure about exterior.

Come on @Just_me you should be jumping all over the place for this! This car is simply out of this world.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

It seems Just_me doesn't like anything these days apart from superminis.