BMW i8
The BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid sports car developed by BMW. The i8 is part of BMW's electrified fleet and is marketed under the BMW i sub-brand. The production version of the BMW i8 was unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, and was released in Germany in June 2014. Deliveries to retail customers in the U.S. began in August 2014. A roadster variant was launched May 2018. Production ended in June 2020.
The 2015 BMW i8 accelerates from 0 to in 4.4 seconds and has an electronic limited top speed of 250 km/h. The 2015 model year i8 has a 7.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack that delivers an all-electric range of under the New European Driving Cycle. Under the U.S. EPA cycle, the range in EV mode is. The battery capacity of both, BMW i8 Roadster and the i8 Coupé, was increased to 11.6 kWh in 2018, allowing the NEDC electric range to rise to for the coupé and to for the roadster.
The BMW i8 coupé has a fuel efficiency of under the NEDC test with carbon emissions of 49 g/km. The EPA rated the i8 combined fuel economy at 76 MPGe and 29 miles per gallon when running in pure gasoline mode.
By March 2020, global sales of all variants reached more than 20,000 units, making the BMW i8 the world's top selling plug-in electric sports car, and exceeding sales of all competitors in its segment combined.
History
First introduced as the Concept Vision EfficientDynamics, the i8 is part of BMW's "Project i" and it is being marketed as a new brand, BMW i, sold separately from BMW or Mini. The BMW i3, launched for retail customers in Europe in the fourth quarter of 2013, was the first model of the i brand available in the market, and it was followed by the i8, released in Germany in June 2014 as a 2015 model year. Other i models are expected to follow.The initial turbodiesel concept car was unveiled at the 2009 International Motor Show Germany, In 2010, BMW announced the mass production of the Vision EfficientDynamics concept in Leipzig beginning in 2013 as the BMW i8. The BMW i8 gasoline-powered concept car destined for production was unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The production version of the BMW i8 was unveiled at the 2013 International Motor Show Germany. The following are the concept and pre-production models developed by BMW that preceded the production version. When BMW i sponsored the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, they announced that they'd provide support vehicles, and the i8 currently operates as the official safety car.
BMW Vision EfficientDynamics (2009)
BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car is a plug-in hybrid with a 1.5L three cylinder turbo-diesel engine. Additionally, there are two electric motors with. It allows an acceleration to in 4.8 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of.According to BMW, the average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle is 3.76 liters/100 kilometers,, and has a carbon dioxide emission rating of 99 grams per kilometer. The estimated all-electric range is, and the 24-liter petrol tank extends the total vehicle range to up to. The lightweight chassis is made mainly from aluminum. The windshield, top, doors and fenders are made from polycarbonate glass, with the body having a drag coefficient of 0.22.
The designers of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept were Mario Majdandzic for the exterior and Jochen Paesen, Markus Speck and Felix Staudacher former Baerlin for the interior. While Jochen Paesen took care of the main interior theme, Markus Speck were in charge of the seats, all the visible structure and some details. Felix Baerlin supported Jochen Paesen on the detail side like steering wheel and center console.
The vehicle was unveiled in the 2009 International Motor Show Germany, followed by Auto China 2010.
BMW i8 Concept (2011)
The BMW i8 Concept plug-in hybrid electric vehicle includes an electric motor located in the front axle powering the front wheels rated and, a turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder gasoline engine driving rear wheels rated and of torque, with combined output of and, a lithium-ion battery pack that allows an all-electric range of. 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. Its top speed is electronically limited to and is expected to go from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds. Under normal driving conditions the i8 is expected to deliver under the European cycle. A full charge of the battery will take less than 2 hours using 220 V. The positioning of the motor and engine over the axles results in optimum 50/50 weight distribution.The vehicle was unveiled at the 2011 International Motor Show Germany, followed by CENTER 548 in New York City, 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011, 82nd Geneva Motor Show 2012, BMW i Born Electric Tour at the Palazzo delle Esposizioni at Via Nazionale 194 in Rome, Auto Shanghai 2013.
This concept car was featured in the film .
BMW i8 Concept Spyder (2012)
The BMW i8 Concept Spyder included a slightly shorter wheelbase and overall length over the BMW i8 Concept, carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic Life module, drive modules made primarily from aluminium components, interlocking of surfaces and lines, 8.8-inch screen display, off-white outer layer, orange tone naturally tanned leather upholstery.The vehicle was unveiled in Auto China 2012 in Beijing and won Concept Car of the Year, followed by 83rd Geneva International Motor Show 2013. The designer of the BMW i8 Concept Spyder was Richard Kim.
BMW i8 coupe prototype (2013)
The design of the BMW i8 coupe prototype was based on the BMW i8 Concept. The BMW i8 prototype has an average fuel efficiency of less than under the New European Driving Cycle with carbon emissions of less than 59 g/km. The i8 with its carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic passenger cell lightweight, aerodynamically optimized body, and BMW eDrive technology offers the dynamic performance of a sports car, with an expected 0–100 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. The BMW i8 is the first BMW production model to be powered by a three-cylinder gasoline engine and the resulting specific output of 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.store in Park Lane, London.
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 and produces its maximum torque of around 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, with a maximum driving range of up to. 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 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 120 V, 12 amp household circuit or approximately 1.5 hours from a 220 V 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 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.
The vehicle was unveiled in BMW Group's Miramas test track in France.
Production version
The production BMW i8 was designed by Benoit Jacob. The production version was unveiled at the 2013 International Motor Show Germany, followed by 2013 Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. Its design is heavily influenced by the BMW M1 Homage concept car, which in turn pays homage to BMW's last production mid-engined sports car prior to the i8: the BMW M1.The BMW i8 features butterfly doors, head-up display, rear-view cameras and partially false engine noise. Series production of customer vehicles began in April 2014. The electric two-speed drivetrain is developed and produced by GKN. It was the first production car with laser headlights, reaching further than LED lights.
The i8 has a vehicle weight of and a low drag coefficient of 0.26. In all-electric mode the BMW i8 has a top speed of. In Sport mode the i8 delivers a mid-range acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h in 2.6 seconds. The electronically controlled top speed is.
The 20,000th i8 was produced in December 2019, one of the limited Ultimate Sophisto Edition models. The production cycle of the i8 ended in June 2020. In total, there were 20,465 units produced, 16,581 coupes and 3,884 roadsters.
Range and fuel economy
The production i8 has a 7.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack with a usable capacity of 5.2 kWh and intelligent energy management that delivers an all-electric range of under the NEDC cycle. Under the EPA cycle, the range in EV mode is, and the total range is.The production version has a fuel efficiency of under the NEDC test with carbon emissions of 49 g/km. Under EPA cycle, the i8 combined fuel economy in EV mode was rated 76 equivalent , with an energy consumption of 43 kW-hrs/100 mi and gasoline consumption of 0.1 gal-US/100 mi. The combined fuel economy when running only with gasoline is for city driving, and in highway.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2014 edition of the "Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, and Fuel Economy Trends" introduced utility factors for plug-in hybrids to represent the percentage of miles that will be driven using electricity by an average driver, in electric only or blended modes. The BMW i8 Coupé has a utility factor in EV mode of 37%, compared with 83% for the BMW i3 REx, 66% for the Chevrolet Volt, 65% for the Cadillac ELR, 45% for the Ford Energi models, 43% for the McLaren P1, 39% for the Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid, and 29% for the Toyota Prius PHV.
The battery capacity of both models launched in 2018, BMW i8 Roadster and the i8 Coupé, was increased to a gross energy content of 11.6 kWh. This, and other improvements, made possible to rise the all-electric range to for the BMW i8 Coupé and for the BMW i8 Roadster, both under the NEDC test. Under the U.S. EPA driving cycle, the range only increased from to.
The following are the BMW i8 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ratings for all-electric range and fuel economy for all variants of the i8 between 2014 and 2020 model years.
Engines
Special edition
The special-edition BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition model was unveiled at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show. The Protonic Red Edition will be produced at BMW Plant Leipzig from July 2016. This special edition car sports a Protonic Red paint finish with accents in Frozen Grey metallic. The colour scheme is complemented by BMW W-spoke 470 light-alloy wheels painted in Orbit Grey metallic with hubs painted in Aluminium matt and mixed-size tires. Inside the car features red double-stitching and applications in high-grade carbon fibre and ceramic trim.Roadster
The BMW i8 Spyder concept was unveiled at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show. In October 2016, BMW announced that the roadster variant would be added to the BMW i line-up in 2018. The production version of the BMW i8 Roadster was premiered in late 2017, and delivery of the first 18 exclusive first edition units took place in May 2018.The battery cell capacity of both models, coupé and roadster, was increased from 20 to 34 Ah and a gross energy content of 11.6 kWh. At the same time, optimized battery cell technology made it possible to increase the peak output of the electric motor by 9 kW/12 hp to 105 kW/143 hp. These improvements made possible for the BMW i8 Coupé to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, while the BMW i8 Roadster takes 4.6 seconds. Both models reach a top speed of 250 km/h. The all-electric range rose to for the BMW i8 Coupé and to for the BMW i8 Roadster. The BMW i8 Roadster has only 2 seats, and the roof is an electric 2-piece unit, which neatly folds into the space where the rear seats would normally be.
Sales and markets
BMW originally planned to sell the i8 in about 50 countries, with the U.S. expected to be the largest sales market. In Europe, BMW expected the UK, Germany and France to be the top markets.Global deliveries to retail customers totaled 1,741 units in 2014, and 5,456 in 2015, totaling cumulative sales of 7,197 units worldwide through December 2015. In 2015 global sales of the BMW i8 exceeded the combined figure of all other hybrid sports cars produced by other manufacturers. Global cumulative sales reached more than 10,000 BMW i8s by early November 2016, representing 10% of BMW global electrified model sales. By March 2020, worldwide sales since inception totaled more than 20,000 units, making the i8 the world's top selling plug-in electric sports cars, and exceeding sales of all competitors in its segment combined.
| Year | 2014 | 2015 | 2014-2020 Total |
| Units sold | 1,741 | 5,456 | +20,000 |
Australia
Deliveries in Australia for the i8 commenced in March 2015 priced at $299,000 AUD. 155 units of the i8 were sold in Australia by the end of its production. Unlike international sales process where the i3 and i8 are soldat dedicated BMW i Stores, Australia has six dedicated dealers across the country that will be authorised to sell the i8. Dealerships include BMW Melbourne, BMW Sydney, Brisbane BMW, Perth Auto Classic, Adelaide BMW and Rolfe Classic.
Service and repair facilities for the BMW i8 will be available at 11 authorised BMW dealers around Australia.
China
Pricing in China starts at . Initially, sales of the BMW i brand vehicles are limited to seven dealerships in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Shenyang. BMW expects combined sales of around 1,000 units for its i3 and i8 models through December 2014.India
BMW introduced four variants of i8 in the Indian market in February 2015. This was the costliest offering from BMW in the country at a price of INR 2.29 Crore. The car is sold through exclusive BMW i dealerships established in the cities of Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai.Japan
On 14 November 2013, BMW announced they are taking orders for the i8 in Japan. Pricing starts at ¥19,170,000 which includes the 8% consumption tax.Europe
A total of 61 units were delivered in Europe in June 2014, its first month in the market.| Year | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2013-2019 Total |
| Units | 41 | 1,133 | 2,056 | 1,517 | 988 | 1,506 | 1,077 | 8,318 |
European sales statistics are from the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.
;Spain
The i8 is available in Madrid since 2016.
;Germany
The i8 was released in Germany in June 2014, with pricing starting at ., registrations totaled 986 units.
;Switzerland
Deliveries began in June 2014, and a total of 64 units were registered in 2014. Cumulative sales reached 117 units through June 2015.
;United Kingdom
Deliveries started in the UK in July 2014, with pricing starting at. The BMW i8 qualifies for exemption from the London congestion charge, which is one of the factors driving its demand. The BMW i8 was eligible for the government's Plug-in Car Grant until February 2016. Despite being classified as category 2 vehicle, due to its purchase price the BMW i8 is no longer eligible for a grant. As part of changes implemented by the government to the grant scheme, from March 2016 plug-in vehicles with a retail price over are ineligible for a grant.
Two weeks after deliveries began, the i8 was sold out in the UK, and, by August 2014, there was a 10-month waiting list. By the end of February 2015 there was a 9-month waiting list. A total of 1,307 units were registered by the end of June 2016., about 1,700 i8s have been sold in the UK since mid-2014, making the British market the largest in Europe.
United States
Pricing for the BMW i8 destined for the U.S. market starts at including destination and handling fees and before any applicable government incentives. First deliveries to retail customers in the U.S. took place at the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on 15 August. In order to commemorate the i8's American launch, a 2014 BMW i8 Concours d’Elegance Edition was auctioned during Gooding & Company’s annual Pebble Beach Auctions. This special edition car features BMW Individual Frozen Grey Metallic exterior paint, a Dalbergia Brown leather upholstery, trim accents in BMW i Blue, and other unique features. The car was sold for on 16 August 2014, six times the retail price of the i8. The proceedings go to the Pebble Beach Company Foundation.Sales in 2015 reached 2,265 units, up 308.1% from 2014. A total of 6,776 units were sold through December 2019.