The BMW i brand is synonymous with visionary mobility concepts and a new definition of premium quality that is strongly focused on sustainability. Following the world debut of the first production model, the BMW i3, the BMW Group’s next step will be to extend this revolutionary answer to the future challenges facing personal mobility to the sports car segment. At a driving event at the BMW Group’s Miramas test track in France, the BMW i brand is now presenting a prototype of its second production vehicle, the BMW i8. This plug-in hybrid model is the most progressive sports car of our time, extending the basic BMW i philosophy of sustainability to a new vehicle segment. (After the jump, an official gallery of the camouflaged BMW i8 plus technical data and diagrams)
The BMW i8 embodies hallmark BMW driving pleasure in a revolutionary and
mould-breaking form. This is reflected in a highly emotive design, dynamic
sports car performance, and fuel consumption and emissions figures worthy
of a small car. Pairing an exceptionally lightweight, aerodynamically optimised
body with cutting-edge BMW eDrive technology, a compact, highly
turbocharged 1.5-litre BMW TwinPower Turbo petrol engine and intelligent
energy management, the BMW i8 marks the next stage in the evolution of the
Efficient Dynamics strategy. Its revolutionary approach achieves an
unprecedented balance between performance and fuel consumption. Thanks
to its carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell, the BMW i8 sets
new standards for a plug-in hybrid vehicle in terms of low weight. It can
operate solely on electric power, which means no tailpipe emissions, and
offers the dynamic performance of a sports car, with an expected 0 –
100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time of 4.5 seconds.
The BMW i8 was designed from the outset as a plug-in hybrid sports car, with
the emphasis on agile performance and outstanding efficiency. Its characteristic
BMW i LifeDrive architecture provides the best possible basis for lightweight
design. Its main components are the aluminium Drive module, which incorporates
the internal combustion engine and electric motor, the battery, the power
electronics and the chassis components, along with structural and crash
functions, and the Life module, which essentially comprises the 2+2-seater
CFRP passenger cell. This architecture also gives the BMW i8 a very low
centre of gravity and a near-perfect 50:50 axle load ratio, both of which
increase its agility.
The BMW i8’s plug-in hybrid system is specific to this model. Developed and
produced by the BMW Group, it marks the next step in the evolution of the
Efficient Dynamics programme. A compact three-cylinder petrol engine with
BMW TwinPower Turbo technology is combined with an electric drive system
and a lithium-ion battery which can be recharged at a standard household
power socket. The 170 kW/231 hp petrol engine sends its power to the rear
wheels, while the 96 kW/131 hp electric motor powers the front wheels. This
configuration offers all-electric driving capability with a range of up to
35 kilometres (approx. 22 miles) and a top speed of 120 km/h (approx.
75 mph). With both drive systems engaged, it also offers road-hugging all-
wheel-drive performance with powerful acceleration and dynamic torque
vectoring during sporty cornering. The more powerful of the two powerplants
drives the rear wheels. The hybrid system supplements this with power from
the electric motor to deliver typical BMW driving pleasure combined with
groundbreaking efficiency. Calculated using the EU test cycle for plug-in
hybrid vehicles, the average fuel consumption of the BMW i8 at model launch
will be less than 2.5 litres/100 km (over 113 mpg) with CO2 emissions of less
than 59 grams per kilometre.
Optimal balance between performance and fuel economy: BMW i8
as an exciting evolution of the Efficient Dynamics strategy.
It is now more than a decade since the BMW Group launched its Efficient
Dynamics vehicle development strategy, whose aim is to significantly improve
both the performance and the efficiency of new BMW Group models. Efficient
Dynamics combines evolutionary advances in existing technologies with the
development of new and revolutionary drive concepts. Efficient Dynamics
solutions include efficient lightweight design and aerodynamic concepts,
high-performance drive systems based on TwinPower Turbo technology and
BMW eDrive, and intelligent management of all energy flows within the
vehicle. The new, revolutionary technology now being introduced on models
of the BMW i brand will subsequently find its way into the vehicles of the
BMW Group’s core brands.
BMW i is also setting benchmarks in the quest for zero CO2 emissions in
urban driving. The research and development work carried out since 2007 as
part of project i has laid the foundations for revolutionary mobility solutions
strongly influenced by environmental, economic and social change around the
world. The BMW Group is pursuing an integrated approach, as embodied in
the new BMW i brand, which aims to achieve the necessary balance between
individual needs and the global mobility requirements of the future. The
BMW i focus is squarely on all-electric and plug-in hybrid mobility.
Groundbreaking design, intelligent lightweight engineering, typical BMW
driving pleasure coupled with zero emissions, intelligent energy management
and resource- and energy-saving production processes are all combined into
an innovative premium-quality package.
LifeDrive architecture with an aluminium chassis for the powertrain
and a CFRP passenger cell: for more excitement, lower weight and
optimised drag.
The LifeDrive architecture specially developed for BMW i vehicles offers the
ideal platform for turning the tide of spiralling weight while at the same time
achieving distinctive styling exclusive to BMW i. With a length of 4,689 mm, a
width of 1,942 mm and a height of 1,293 mm, the BMW i8 has the proportions
of a typical sports car. Its dynamic personality is also stressed by a long bonnet,
conspicuous aerodynamic features, an elongated roofline, short overhangs
and a long wheelbase of 2,800 mm. Characteristic BMW i form language
wraps up this groundbreaking combination of sporty performance and
efficiency in a charismatic 2+2-seater design.
The BMW i8 combines a drag coefficient (Cd value) of 0.26 with outstanding
aerodynamic balance. The finely honed air flow around all parts of the vehicle
body makes for an excellent lift/drag ratio, resulting in superb driving dynamics
and stability.
Intelligent lightweight design – from the overall concept down to the
smallest detail.
With its combination of the aluminium Drive module and the CFRP passenger
cell (Life module), the BMW i8 is also an excellent example of intelligent
lightweight design – one of the guiding principles of the Efficient Dynamics
strategy. Use of the lightweight high-tech material CFRP, which also offers
excellent crash performance, brings weight savings of 50 per cent over steel
and around 30 per cent over aluminium, with equivalent or improved strength.
These savings offset the weight penalty of the electric motor and the high-
voltage battery, giving the BMW i8 an unladen weight of less than
1,490 kilograms. The LifeDrive architecture also brings benefits in terms of
weight distribution. The battery pack is situated low down in the middle of the
vehicle, resulting in a low and central centre of gravity, which improves safety.
No other current model of a BMW Group brand has such a low centre of gravity.
The front-rear axle load distribution maximises agility with a near-perfect
50:50 axle load ratio. The compact electric motor, together with the
transmission and power electronics, are situated in close proximity to the
electrically powered front axle. The highly turbocharged petrol engine, which
is located together with its transmission in the rear of the BMW i8, likewise
sends its power to the road via the shortest possible route, i.e. through the
rear wheels. As a finishing touch to this excellent weight distribution, the
lithium-ion battery pack is centrally located in the vehicle, slightly forward of
the mid-point. In terms of crash safety, this is an ideal location for the battery,
which is integrated in an aluminium housing.
The doors comprise a CFRP inner structure and an aluminium outer skin. This
reduces the weight of the door by 50 per cent compared with a conventional
design. The high-quality, naturally tanned leather of the seats highlights the
“next premium”, sustainable philosophy of BMW i.
The magnesium instrument panel support saves weight on two fronts – firstly
through intelligent design, leading to around 30 per cent weight savings
compared, for example, with the BMW 6 Series. In addition, the high structural
rigidity provides a strengthening effect which allows the number of
components to be reduced, thereby lowering weight by a further 10 per cent.
Innovative foam plastic technology used in the air conditioning ducts brings
60 per cent weight savings over conventional components, while also
improving acoustics thanks to its sound-absorbing properties.
The fact that the power electronics and electric motor are directly connected
reduces the amount of wiring required, while partial use of aluminium wiring
brings further weight reductions. Lightweight design is also a feature of the
BMW i8’s chassis systems – including the wheels, where the standard-fitted
20-inch forged aluminium wheels combine aerodynamic design with weight
savings. The rigorous application of the lightweight design strategy even
extends to aluminium screws and bolts, which are around 45 per cent lighter
than corresponding steel components, with the same strength and
functionality.
The BMW i8 is also the world’s first volume-produced vehicle to be equipped
with chemically hardened glass. This innovative technology, to date used
mainly in Smartphone manufacturing, results in very high strength. The
partition between the passenger compartment and boot of the BMW i8
consists of two layers of chemically hardened glass, each of which is just
0.7 millimetres thick, with acoustic sheeting sandwiched between. In addition
to excellent acoustic properties, a further advantage of this solution is weight
savings of around 50 per cent compared with conventional laminated glass.
For maximum driving pleasure and efficiency:
BMW TwinPower Turbo engine and electric motor developed by the
BMW Group.
The plug-in hybrid system of the BMW i8, which comprises a
BMW TwinPower Turbo engine combined with BMW eDrive technology,
offers the best of both worlds: excellent potential for improved efficiency and
exciting, sporty driving characteristics. The BMW Group has developed not
only the internal combustion engine and electric motor in-house but also the
power electronics and the battery. This ensures that all these components
offer high product and quality standards, based on the outstanding capabilities
of the BMW Group in the field of powertrain research and development.
The revolutionary character of the BMW i8 is emphasised by a further
innovation: the use of a new internal combustion engine which is making its
debut in this model. The BMW i8 is the first BMW production model to be
powered by a three-cylinder petrol engine. This highly turbocharged unit is
equipped with latest-generation BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. It is
exceptionally compact and develops maximum power of 170 kW/231 hp. The
resulting specific output of 113 kW/154 hp per litre 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 new three-cylinder engine derives its typical characteristics from the
BMW six-cylinder in-line engines, to which it is closely related and which are
noted for their eager power delivery, revving ability and refinement. The three-
cylinder’s BMW TwinPower Turbo technology comprises a high-performance
turbocharging system and direct petrol injection with high-precision injectors
positioned between the valves, along with VALVETRONIC throttle-less load
control, which improves efficiency and response thanks to seamlessly variable
valve lift control. Like a six-cylinder engine, the three-cylinder unit is free of
first and second order inertial forces. The low roll torque, a typical feature of a
three-cylinder design, is further reduced by a balancer shaft, while a multi-stage
damper integrated in the automatic transmission ensures very smooth and
refined running at low rpm. BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and low
internal friction improve both fuel consumption and torque characteristics.
Accelerator response is sharp and the three-cylinder unit quickly reaches its
maximum torque of 320 Newton metres.
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 96 kW/131 hp and produces its maximum
torque of around 250 Newton metres from standstill. Typical of an electric
motor, responsive power is instantly available when starting and this continues
into the higher load ranges. The linear power delivery, which extends right up
to the high end of the rpm range, is down to a special motor design principle
exclusive to BMW i. BMW eDrive technology refines and improves on the
principle of the permanently excited synchronous motor via a special
arrangement and size of the torque-producing components. This results in a
self-magnetising effect normally confined to reluctance motors. This
additional excitation ensures that the electromechanical field generated when
current is applied remains stable even at high rpm.
As well as providing a power boost to assist the petrol engine during
acceleration, the electric motor can also power the vehicle by itself. Top
speed is then 120 km/h (approx. 75 mph). The BMW i8 has a maximum
driving range in this emission-free, virtually soundless, all-electric mode of up
to 35 kilometres (approx. 22 miles). The motor derives its energy from the
lithium-ion battery which is centrally mounted underneath the floor of the
vehicle. The model-specific version of the high-voltage battery was developed
and produced by the BMW Group. It 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. A full recharge takes less than three hours at a
household power socket and less than two hours at a BMW i Wallbox.
The BMW i8’s vehicle concept and powertrain control system mark it out as a
progressive, revolutionary sports car. The BMW i8 always achieves the
optimal balance between performance and efficiency, whatever the driving
situation. When power demands allow, the high-voltage battery is recharged
by the electric motor. The high-voltage starter-generator, responsible for
starting the engine, can also be used as a generator to charge the battery, the
necessary power being provided by the BMW TwinPower Turbo engine. The
battery can also be recharged via the electric motor during overrun. These
various processes help to prevent depletion of the BMW i8’s battery in order
to maintain the electric drive power. The all-electric driving range is sufficient
to cover most urban driving requirements. Out of town, the BMW i8 offers
impressively sporty performance which is also very efficient thanks to the
power-boosting support for the petrol engine from the electric motor. With
such versatility, the BMW i8 belongs to a new generation of sports cars which
unites exciting performance with cutting-edge efficiency – to enhance both
driving pleasure and sustainability.
Driving Experience Control and eDrive button: a choice of efficiency
and performance characteristics – at the touch of a button.
The rear wheels of the BMW i8 are driven by the petrol engine via a six-speed
automatic transmission. The front wheels are driven by the electric motor via
an integrated two-stage automatic transmission. Combined maximum power
and torque of 266 kW/362 hp and 570 Newton metres respectively provide
all-wheel-drive performance which is as dynamic as it is efficient. The
BMW i8’s intelligent powertrain control system ensures perfect coordination
of both power sources. The variable power-sharing between the internal
combustion engine and the electric motor makes the driver aware of the
sporty temperament of the BMW i8 at all times, while at the same time
maximising the energy efficiency of the overall system. Utilising both power
sources, the 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration time is expected to be less
than 4.5 seconds. 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 250 km/h (155 mph), which can be reached and
maintained when the vehicle operates solely on the petrol engine. Variable
front-rear power splitting in line with changing driving conditions makes for
excitingly dynamic cornering. On entering the corner, the power split is biased
towards the rear wheels to improve turning precision. For more vigorous
acceleration out of the corner, the powertrain controller returns to the default
split as soon as the steering angle becomes smaller again. The BMW i8 also
offers the driver unusual scope to adjust the drive and suspension settings of
the vehicle in order to adapt the driving experience to his or her individual
preferences. As well as the electronic gear selector for the automatic
transmission, the driver can also use the Driving Experience Control switch – a
familiar feature of the latest BMW models – or, exclusively to the BMW i8, the
eDrive button.
Using the gear selector, the driver can either select position D for automated
gear selection or can switch to SPORT mode. SPORT mode offers sequential
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-sharp performance, accelerator response is faster and the power boost
from the electric motor is maximised. And to keep the battery topped up,
SPORT mode also activates maximum energy recuperation during overrun
and braking: for this, the electric motor’s generator function, which recharges
the battery using kinetic energy, switches to a more powerful setting. At the
same time, gear change times are shortened and an extra-sporty setting is
selected for the standard-fitted Dynamic Damper Control. Also in this mode,
the programmable instrument cluster supplies further driving-related
information in addition to the rev counter display.
The Driving Experience Control switch on the centre 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, at the touch of a button,
ECO PRO mode can be engaged, which, on the BMW i8 as on other models,
supports an efficiency-optimised driving style. The powertrain controller
coordinates the cooperation between the petrol engine and the electric motor
for maximum fuel economy. On overrun, 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 over 500 kilometres (310 miles) in COMFORT
mode. In ECO PRO mode, this can be increased by up to 20 per cent.
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
(kickdown), is the internal combustion engine automatically activated.
The driving mode selected at a given moment is indicated to the driver on the
programmable instrument cluster by a distinctive colour and by a different,
mode-specific set of driving information. The three-dimensional appearance
of the display adds to the futuristic look and feel of the vehicle as a whole.
High-quality chassis technology, DSC and Dynamic Damper Control
as standard.
The high-end chassis and suspension technology of the BMW i8 is based on
a double-track control arm front axle and a five-link rear axle, whose aluminium
components and geometry are specially configured for intelligent weight
savings. The electromechanical power steering offers easy manoeuvring in
town and typical sports car-style high-speed steering precision. Also standard
is Dynamic Damper Control: the electronically operated dampers change their
characteristics according to the selected driving mode to deliver the desired
vehicle dynamics.
The DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) stability system includes the Anti-lock
Braking System (ABS), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Dynamic Brake
Control (DBC), Brake Assist, Brake Standby, Start-Off Assistant, Fading
Compensation and the Brake Drying function. The push button-activated
Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) system raises the DSC thresholds, allowing
some controlled drive wheel slippage for easier start-off on snow or loose
ground, or for extra-dynamic cornering.
The BMW i8 embodies hallmark BMW driving pleasure in a revolutionary and
mould-breaking form. This is reflected in a highly emotive design, dynamic
sports car performance, and fuel consumption and emissions figures worthy
of a small car. Pairing an exceptionally lightweight, aerodynamically optimised
body with cutting-edge BMW eDrive technology, a compact, highly
turbocharged 1.5-litre BMW TwinPower Turbo petrol engine and intelligent
energy management, the BMW i8 marks the next stage in the evolution of the
Efficient Dynamics strategy. Its revolutionary approach achieves an
unprecedented balance between performance and fuel consumption. Thanks
to its carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell, the BMW i8 sets
new standards for a plug-in hybrid vehicle in terms of low weight. It can
operate solely on electric power, which means no tailpipe emissions, and
offers the dynamic performance of a sports car, with an expected 0 –
100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time of 4.5 seconds.
The BMW i8 was designed from the outset as a plug-in hybrid sports car, with
the emphasis on agile performance and outstanding efficiency. Its characteristic
BMW i LifeDrive architecture provides the best possible basis for lightweight
design. Its main components are the aluminium Drive module, which incorporates
the internal combustion engine and electric motor, the battery, the power
electronics and the chassis components, along with structural and crash
functions, and the Life module, which essentially comprises the 2+2-seater
CFRP passenger cell. This architecture also gives the BMW i8 a very low
centre of gravity and a near-perfect 50:50 axle load ratio, both of which
increase its agility.
The BMW i8’s plug-in hybrid system is specific to this model. Developed and
produced by the BMW Group, it marks the next step in the evolution of the
Efficient Dynamics programme. A compact three-cylinder petrol engine with
BMW TwinPower Turbo technology is combined with an electric drive system
and a lithium-ion battery which can be recharged at a standard household
power socket. The 170 kW/231 hp petrol engine sends its power to the rear
wheels, while the 96 kW/131 hp electric motor powers the front wheels. This
configuration offers all-electric driving capability with a range of up to
35 kilometres (approx. 22 miles) and a top speed of 120 km/h (approx.
75 mph). With both drive systems engaged, it also offers road-hugging all-
wheel-drive performance with powerful acceleration and dynamic torque
vectoring during sporty cornering. The more powerful of the two powerplants
drives the rear wheels. The hybrid system supplements this with power from
the electric motor to deliver typical BMW driving pleasure combined with
groundbreaking efficiency. Calculated using the EU test cycle for plug-in
hybrid vehicles, the average fuel consumption of the BMW i8 at model launch
will be less than 2.5 litres/100 km (over 113 mpg) with CO2 emissions of less
than 59 grams per kilometre.
Optimal balance between performance and fuel economy: BMW i8
as an exciting evolution of the Efficient Dynamics strategy.
It is now more than a decade since the BMW Group launched its Efficient
Dynamics vehicle development strategy, whose aim is to significantly improve
both the performance and the efficiency of new BMW Group models. Efficient
Dynamics combines evolutionary advances in existing technologies with the
development of new and revolutionary drive concepts. Efficient Dynamics
solutions include efficient lightweight design and aerodynamic concepts,
high-performance drive systems based on TwinPower Turbo technology and
BMW eDrive, and intelligent management of all energy flows within the
vehicle. The new, revolutionary technology now being introduced on models
of the BMW i brand will subsequently find its way into the vehicles of the
BMW Group’s core brands.
BMW i is also setting benchmarks in the quest for zero CO2 emissions in
urban driving. The research and development work carried out since 2007 as
part of project i has laid the foundations for revolutionary mobility solutions
strongly influenced by environmental, economic and social change around the
world. The BMW Group is pursuing an integrated approach, as embodied in
the new BMW i brand, which aims to achieve the necessary balance between
individual needs and the global mobility requirements of the future. The
BMW i focus is squarely on all-electric and plug-in hybrid mobility.
Groundbreaking design, intelligent lightweight engineering, typical BMW
driving pleasure coupled with zero emissions, intelligent energy management
and resource- and energy-saving production processes are all combined into
an innovative premium-quality package.
LifeDrive architecture with an aluminium chassis for the powertrain
and a CFRP passenger cell: for more excitement, lower weight and
optimised drag.
The LifeDrive architecture specially developed for BMW i vehicles offers the
ideal platform for turning the tide of spiralling weight while at the same time
achieving distinctive styling exclusive to BMW i. With a length of 4,689 mm, a
width of 1,942 mm and a height of 1,293 mm, the BMW i8 has the proportions
of a typical sports car. Its dynamic personality is also stressed by a long bonnet,
conspicuous aerodynamic features, an elongated roofline, short overhangs
and a long wheelbase of 2,800 mm. Characteristic BMW i form language
wraps up this groundbreaking combination of sporty performance and
efficiency in a charismatic 2+2-seater design.
The BMW i8 combines a drag coefficient (Cd value) of 0.26 with outstanding
aerodynamic balance. The finely honed air flow around all parts of the vehicle
body makes for an excellent lift/drag ratio, resulting in superb driving dynamics
and stability.
Intelligent lightweight design – from the overall concept down to the
smallest detail.
With its combination of the aluminium Drive module and the CFRP passenger
cell (Life module), the BMW i8 is also an excellent example of intelligent
lightweight design – one of the guiding principles of the Efficient Dynamics
strategy. Use of the lightweight high-tech material CFRP, which also offers
excellent crash performance, brings weight savings of 50 per cent over steel
and around 30 per cent over aluminium, with equivalent or improved strength.
These savings offset the weight penalty of the electric motor and the high-
voltage battery, giving the BMW i8 an unladen weight of less than
1,490 kilograms. The LifeDrive architecture also brings benefits in terms of
weight distribution. The battery pack is situated low down in the middle of the
vehicle, resulting in a low and central centre of gravity, which improves safety.
No other current model of a BMW Group brand has such a low centre of gravity.
The front-rear axle load distribution maximises agility with a near-perfect
50:50 axle load ratio. The compact electric motor, together with the
transmission and power electronics, are situated in close proximity to the
electrically powered front axle. The highly turbocharged petrol engine, which
is located together with its transmission in the rear of the BMW i8, likewise
sends its power to the road via the shortest possible route, i.e. through the
rear wheels. As a finishing touch to this excellent weight distribution, the
lithium-ion battery pack is centrally located in the vehicle, slightly forward of
the mid-point. In terms of crash safety, this is an ideal location for the battery,
which is integrated in an aluminium housing.
The doors comprise a CFRP inner structure and an aluminium outer skin. This
reduces the weight of the door by 50 per cent compared with a conventional
design. The high-quality, naturally tanned leather of the seats highlights the
“next premium”, sustainable philosophy of BMW i.
The magnesium instrument panel support saves weight on two fronts – firstly
through intelligent design, leading to around 30 per cent weight savings
compared, for example, with the BMW 6 Series. In addition, the high structural
rigidity provides a strengthening effect which allows the number of
components to be reduced, thereby lowering weight by a further 10 per cent.
Innovative foam plastic technology used in the air conditioning ducts brings
60 per cent weight savings over conventional components, while also
improving acoustics thanks to its sound-absorbing properties.
reduces the amount of wiring required, while partial use of aluminium wiring
brings further weight reductions. Lightweight design is also a feature of the
BMW i8’s chassis systems – including the wheels, where the standard-fitted
20-inch forged aluminium wheels combine aerodynamic design with weight
savings. The rigorous application of the lightweight design strategy even
extends to aluminium screws and bolts, which are around 45 per cent lighter
than corresponding steel components, with the same strength and
functionality.
The BMW i8 is also the world’s first volume-produced vehicle to be equipped
with chemically hardened glass. This innovative technology, to date used
mainly in Smartphone manufacturing, results in very high strength. The
partition between the passenger compartment and boot of the BMW i8
consists of two layers of chemically hardened glass, each of which is just
0.7 millimetres thick, with acoustic sheeting sandwiched between. In addition
to excellent acoustic properties, a further advantage of this solution is weight
savings of around 50 per cent compared with conventional laminated glass.
For maximum driving pleasure and efficiency:
BMW TwinPower Turbo engine and electric motor developed by the
BMW Group.
The plug-in hybrid system of the BMW i8, which comprises a
BMW TwinPower Turbo engine combined with BMW eDrive technology,
offers the best of both worlds: excellent potential for improved efficiency and
exciting, sporty driving characteristics. The BMW Group has developed not
only the internal combustion engine and electric motor in-house but also the
power electronics and the battery. This ensures that all these components
offer high product and quality standards, based on the outstanding capabilities
of the BMW Group in the field of powertrain research and development.
The revolutionary character of the BMW i8 is emphasised by a further
innovation: the use of a new internal combustion engine which is making its
debut in this model. The BMW i8 is the first BMW production model to be
powered by a three-cylinder petrol engine. This highly turbocharged unit is
equipped with latest-generation BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. It is
exceptionally compact and develops maximum power of 170 kW/231 hp. The
resulting specific output of 113 kW/154 hp per litre 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 new three-cylinder engine derives its typical characteristics from the
BMW six-cylinder in-line engines, to which it is closely related and which are
noted for their eager power delivery, revving ability and refinement. The three-
cylinder’s BMW TwinPower Turbo technology comprises a high-performance
turbocharging system and direct petrol injection with high-precision injectors
positioned between the valves, along with VALVETRONIC throttle-less load
control, which improves efficiency and response thanks to seamlessly variable
valve lift control. Like a six-cylinder engine, the three-cylinder unit is free of
first and second order inertial forces. The low roll torque, a typical feature of a
three-cylinder design, is further reduced by a balancer shaft, while a multi-stage
damper integrated in the automatic transmission ensures very smooth and
refined running at low rpm. BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and low
internal friction improve both fuel consumption and torque characteristics.
Accelerator response is sharp and the three-cylinder unit quickly reaches its
maximum torque of 320 Newton metres.
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 96 kW/131 hp and produces its maximum
torque of around 250 Newton metres from standstill. Typical of an electric
motor, responsive power is instantly available when starting and this continues
into the higher load ranges. The linear power delivery, which extends right up
to the high end of the rpm range, is down to a special motor design principle
exclusive to BMW i. BMW eDrive technology refines and improves on the
principle of the permanently excited synchronous motor via a special
arrangement and size of the torque-producing components. This results in a
self-magnetising effect normally confined to reluctance motors. This
additional excitation ensures that the electromechanical field generated when
current is applied remains stable even at high rpm.
As well as providing a power boost to assist the petrol engine during
acceleration, the electric motor can also power the vehicle by itself. Top
speed is then 120 km/h (approx. 75 mph). The BMW i8 has a maximum
driving range in this emission-free, virtually soundless, all-electric mode of up
to 35 kilometres (approx. 22 miles). The motor derives its energy from the
lithium-ion battery which is centrally mounted underneath the floor of the
vehicle. The model-specific version of the high-voltage battery was developed
and produced by the BMW Group. It 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. A full recharge takes less than three hours at a
household power socket and less than two hours at a BMW i Wallbox.
The BMW i8’s vehicle concept and powertrain control system mark it out as a
progressive, revolutionary sports car. The BMW i8 always achieves the
optimal balance between performance and efficiency, whatever the driving
situation. When power demands allow, the high-voltage battery is recharged
by the electric motor. The high-voltage starter-generator, responsible for
starting the engine, can also be used as a generator to charge the battery, the
necessary power being provided by the BMW TwinPower Turbo engine. The
battery can also be recharged via the electric motor during overrun. These
various processes help to prevent depletion of the BMW i8’s battery in order
to maintain the electric drive power. The all-electric driving range is sufficient
to cover most urban driving requirements. Out of town, the BMW i8 offers
impressively sporty performance which is also very efficient thanks to the
power-boosting support for the petrol engine from the electric motor. With
such versatility, the BMW i8 belongs to a new generation of sports cars which
unites exciting performance with cutting-edge efficiency – to enhance both
driving pleasure and sustainability.
Driving Experience Control and eDrive button: a choice of efficiency
and performance characteristics – at the touch of a button.
The rear wheels of the BMW i8 are driven by the petrol engine via a six-speed
automatic transmission. The front wheels are driven by the electric motor via
an integrated two-stage automatic transmission. Combined maximum power
and torque of 266 kW/362 hp and 570 Newton metres respectively provide
all-wheel-drive performance which is as dynamic as it is efficient. The
BMW i8’s intelligent powertrain control system ensures perfect coordination
of both power sources. The variable power-sharing between the internal
combustion engine and the electric motor makes the driver aware of the
sporty temperament of the BMW i8 at all times, while at the same time
maximising the energy efficiency of the overall system. Utilising both power
sources, the 0 – 100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration time is expected to be less
than 4.5 seconds. 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 250 km/h (155 mph), which can be reached and
maintained when the vehicle operates solely on the petrol engine. Variable
front-rear power splitting in line with changing driving conditions makes for
excitingly dynamic cornering. On entering the corner, the power split is biased
towards the rear wheels to improve turning precision. For more vigorous
acceleration out of the corner, the powertrain controller returns to the default
split as soon as the steering angle becomes smaller again. The BMW i8 also
offers the driver unusual scope to adjust the drive and suspension settings of
the vehicle in order to adapt the driving experience to his or her individual
preferences. As well as the electronic gear selector for the automatic
transmission, the driver can also use the Driving Experience Control switch – a
familiar feature of the latest BMW models – or, exclusively to the BMW i8, the
eDrive button.
Using the gear selector, the driver can either select position D for automated
gear selection or can switch to SPORT mode. SPORT mode offers sequential
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-sharp performance, accelerator response is faster and the power boost
from the electric motor is maximised. And to keep the battery topped up,
SPORT mode also activates maximum energy recuperation during overrun
and braking: for this, the electric motor’s generator function, which recharges
the battery using kinetic energy, switches to a more powerful setting. At the
same time, gear change times are shortened and an extra-sporty setting is
selected for the standard-fitted Dynamic Damper Control. Also in this mode,
the programmable instrument cluster supplies further driving-related
information in addition to the rev counter display.
The Driving Experience Control switch on the centre 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, at the touch of a button,
ECO PRO mode can be engaged, which, on the BMW i8 as on other models,
supports an efficiency-optimised driving style. The powertrain controller
coordinates the cooperation between the petrol engine and the electric motor
for maximum fuel economy. On overrun, 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 over 500 kilometres (310 miles) in COMFORT
mode. In ECO PRO mode, this can be increased by up to 20 per cent.
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
(kickdown), is the internal combustion engine automatically activated.
The driving mode selected at a given moment is indicated to the driver on the
programmable instrument cluster by a distinctive colour and by a different,
mode-specific set of driving information. The three-dimensional appearance
of the display adds to the futuristic look and feel of the vehicle as a whole.
High-quality chassis technology, DSC and Dynamic Damper Control
as standard.
The high-end chassis and suspension technology of the BMW i8 is based on
a double-track control arm front axle and a five-link rear axle, whose aluminium
components and geometry are specially configured for intelligent weight
savings. The electromechanical power steering offers easy manoeuvring in
town and typical sports car-style high-speed steering precision. Also standard
is Dynamic Damper Control: the electronically operated dampers change their
characteristics according to the selected driving mode to deliver the desired
vehicle dynamics.
The DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) stability system includes the Anti-lock
Braking System (ABS), Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Dynamic Brake
Control (DBC), Brake Assist, Brake Standby, Start-Off Assistant, Fading
Compensation and the Brake Drying function. The push button-activated
Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) system raises the DSC thresholds, allowing
some controlled drive wheel slippage for easier start-off on snow or loose
ground, or for extra-dynamic cornering.
| BMW i8 | ||
| Body | ||
| No. of doors/seats | 2 / 4 | |
| Length/width/height (unladen) | mm | 4689 / 1942 / 1293 |
| Wheelbase | mm | 2800 |
| Weight, unladen (DIN) | kg | < 1490 |
| Air resistance | Cd | 0.26 |
| Drive system | ||
| Technology combustion engine | BMW TwinPower Turbo technology: turbocharger, High Precision Direct Petrol Injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control | |
| Config/No of cyls/valves | In-line / 3 / 4 | |
| Capacity, effective | cm3 | 1499 |
| Output | kW/hp | 170 / 231 |
| Torque | Nm | 320 |
| Technology electric motor | BMW eDrive technology: hybrid synchronous motor with power electronics, integrated charging module and generator mode for recuperation | |
| Output | kW/hp | 96 / 131 |
| Torque | Nm | 250 |
| System output | kW/hp | 266 / 362 |
| Torque | Nm | 570 |
| High-voltage battery | ||
| Storage technology | Lithium-ion | |
| Driving dynamics | ||
| Drive concept | Hybrid-specific all-wheel drive, combustion engine driving the rear wheels, electric motor driving the front wheels | |
| Tyres front/rear | 195/50 R20 / 215/45 R20 | |
| Rims front/rear | 7J x 20 light-alloy / 7.5J x 20 light-alloy | |
| Transmission | ||
| Type of transmission combustion engine | 6-speed automatic | |
| Type of transmission electric motor | Automatic, two-stage | |
| Performance | ||
| Acceleration 0–100 km/h | s | </= 4.5 |
| 80–120 km/h | s | < 4.5 |
| Top speed | km/h | 250 |
| Top speed electric | km/h | 120 |
| Range | km | > 500 |
| Range electric | km | approx 35 |
| Consumption in EU cycle | ||
| Combined | ltr/100 km | </= 2.5 |
| CO2 | g/km | </= 59 |
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