i8 [Spyshots] BMW i8 Facelift

[tristatez28lt1]

BMW is working hard on the i8. Facelift coming within one year.
- Between 380hp and 420hp instead of 362hp
- Longer range to 50km fully electric
- Between 600Nm and 650Nm instead of 570Nm
- Sportier setup for suspension (dampers, springs, layout)
- Fully electric i8 development ongoing

Autocar is speaking of more hp:

Facelifted BMW i8 will get extra power, longer range
Late-2017 facelift will bring variants upon the i8 to market, as well as upgraded power and range

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BMW is set to give the i8 more power, an extended range, various chassis tweaks, an inductive charging option and a series of new lightweight components. The changes are part of a comprehensive midlife facelift for the high-tech 2+2, which first went on sale in the UK in 2014.

The facelifted i8 is due to reach showrooms in the final quarter of next year. It’s set to adopt an upgraded petrolelectric powertrain currently being tested in a fleet of roadgoing prototypes as well as the latest iteration of the i8-based safety car seen at Formula E events around the globe.

Details remain scarce, although high-level engineers at BMW’s research and development facilities in Munich say the revised hybrid powertrain will have a more powerful electric motor than the 129bhp unit used by the existing i8.

In combination with a lightly fettled 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine, the frontmounted synchronous electric motor is claimed to provide the facelifted i8 with more than a 10% boost in power over today’s model, lifting the futuristically styled coupé’s output to around 420bhp.

Together with new software mapping for the i8’s sixspeed automatic gearbox, the boosted output is claimed to improve the performance of the BMW i brand’s rangetopping coupé, which currently has a 0-62mph time of 4.4sec and limited 155mph top speed.

At the same time, BMW is working to extend the overall range of the i8 through the adoption of a revised battery pack. With improved energy density properties — the same is being touted for the battery in the facelifted i3 that will make its debut at the Paris motor show in September — it is said to bring an incremental increase in pure-electric and hybrid ranges.

Secrecy surrounds the capacity of the new battery. However, BMW has confirmed that the Formula E safety car eschews the 7.1kWh unit of the production car for a larger, 10.0kWh battery, possibly hinting at what’s to come for the facelifted version. As on today’s i8, it will be mounted down the centre line inside a carbonfibre tunnel.

Drawing on further developments used by the Formula E safety car, the facelifted i8 is also in line to receive a number of chassis modifications. Nothing has been confirmed, but the two i8 safety cars at Formula E events have modified upper wishbones and mounting points, together with revised spring and dampers, a 15mm lower ride height than the production car and 20in alloy wheels shod with 245/35 front and 285/30 rear Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres.

An inductive charging system is also being tested and is expected to be offered as an option on the next iteration of the i8. Drawing on wireless charging technology developed by Qualcomm, it uses resonant magnetic induction to transfer energy between a ground-based pad connected to the highvoltage electrical system and a collector fitted to the underside of the BMW.

Further possible updates being pursued by BMW for the facelifted i8 are carbonfibre wheels. Already showcased by the German car maker, the lightweight wheels use a carbonfibre rim and aluminium spokes in a move that is claimed to reduce weight by up to 25% over the aluminium wheels used today.

The launch of the facelifted i8 coupé is likely to coincide with the introduction of the long-mooted i8 roadster, which BMW chairman Harald Krüger recently confirmed as the next new model from the company’s i brand.

 

[tristatez28lt1]

New info: they had a “race” variant of this car at the 100 year celebration for some driving activities. Technical engineer said it was making “more than 450hp”. I believe it after sitting next to him. They will have two versions: One regular i8 and then a track oriented, think Porsche 911 GT3, version. Should come out very soon.

 

[Matski]

Needs more of everything for sure, but, in my humble opinion, what it needs most is head lamps that follow the latest designs on the normal cars, more like the VED had.

 

[Rainer271]

Refreshed BMW i8 to have up to 420 HP according to new report

It’s no secret that BMW is currently working on refreshed versions of its i cars. Launched back in 2014, the BMW i3 and BMW i8 are due for a facelift this year and it seems like they will deliver even more performance if we’re to believe the latest reports. While the BMW i3 will get an i3S version with more power, the i8 wasn’t forgotten either, the most recent rumor claiming that the plug-in hybrid will have up to 420 HP in the new iteration.

The news comes from British magazine Autocar, with a source close to the project claiming that the revamped i8 will have BMW M3 and M4 levels of power. However, there’s no mention of how exactly this bump in power will be achieved. The layout will probably be kept intact, with the same 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged engine powering the rear axle and a synchronous electric motor powering the front wheels.

Therefore, if the rumor turns out to be true, we’re suspecting an upgrade for both axles. The petrol engine will probably get a 10% increase in power with some tweaks done to the turbocharger, intake and exhaust while a new electric motor with more punch could be installed on the front axle. The battery pack will also be changed and will most likely be using technology from the 94Ah pack used in the current BMW i3, which is more energy-dense. That will actually be needed to keep up with the increased power of the electric motor up front.

As we also reported, the BMW i8 Spyder is also close to production, the Autocar report claiming that it will feature a soft top that has to be mounted manually and stowed away. As far as design changes will go, the new models will be inspired by the BMW i Vision Future Interaction concept of the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Inside we’ll get to play with the new iDrive6.0 including the touch-sensitive screen mounted atop the dash.

Refreshed BMW i8 to Have Up to 420 HP According to New Report

 

[slicknick]

Refreshed BMW i8 to have up to 420 HP according to new report

It’s no secret that BMW is currently working on refreshed versions of its i cars. Launched back in 2014, the BMW i3 and BMW i8 are due for a facelift this year and it seems like they will deliver even more performance if we’re to believe the latest reports. While the BMW i3 will get an i3S version with more power, the i8 wasn’t forgotten either, the most recent rumor claiming that the plug-in hybrid will have up to 420 HP in the new iteration.

The news comes from British magazine Autocar, with a source close to the project claiming that the revamped i8 will have BMW M3 and M4 levels of power. However, there’s no mention of how exactly this bump in power will be achieved. The layout will probably be kept intact, with the same 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged engine powering the rear axle and a synchronous electric motor powering the front wheels.

Therefore, if the rumor turns out to be true, we’re suspecting an upgrade for both axles. The petrol engine will probably get a 10% increase in power with some tweaks done to the turbocharger, intake and exhaust while a new electric motor with more punch could be installed on the front axle. The battery pack will also be changed and will most likely be using technology from the 94Ah pack used in the current BMW i3, which is more energy-dense. That will actually be needed to keep up with the increased power of the electric motor up front.

As we also reported, the BMW i8 Spyder is also close to production, the Autocar report claiming that it will feature a soft top that has to be mounted manually and stowed away. As far as design changes will go, the new models will be inspired by the BMW i Vision Future Interaction concept of the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show (CES). Inside we’ll get to play with the new iDrive6.0 including the touch-sensitive screen mounted atop the dash.

Refreshed BMW i8 to Have Up to 420 HP According to New Report

This car has surely grown on me in time, but yes, I still think it can do with more power and performance... We were supposed to have an M-version if I recall correctly, no?

 

[SCOTT27]

This car has surely grown on me in time, but yes, I still think it can do with more power and performance... We were supposed to have an M-version if I recall correctly, no?

No. BMWi and BMW M are separate book ends with BMWiPerformance and BMW M Performance sub titles.
The BMW i8 will receive an S version after the i3S due in a few weeks.

 

[tristatez28lt1]

2018 BMW i8 Will Reportedly Have Up To 420 HP

The BMW i8 has supercar looks, but its performance credentials leave something to be desired.
Autocar reports the facelifted model will receive a significant power boost. Nothing is official, but the publication is reporting the car will be equipped with an upgraded hybrid powertrain that consists of a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine and an electric motor.

The current system develops a combined output of 357 hp (362 PS), while the new system will reportedly produce up to 420 hp (425 PS). If that number pans out, we can expect the updated model to be slightly faster than its predecessor, which runs from 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds before topping out at an electronically-limited 155 mph (250 km/h).

The performance tweaks are just the tip of the iceberg, as the facelifted i8 is slated to receive new LED headlights and an updated interior which should be outfitted with the company's latest iDrive infotainment system. Of course, the biggest change will be the addition of the i8 Spyder, which should help to renew interest in the model.

Both versions are expected to be introduced early next year and reports suggest the coupe may receive a modest price hike.
car scoops

 

[Rainer271]