VIDEO: BMW i8 plug-in hybrid’s performance in detail

Much has been said and lauded about the new BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car; from its aerodynamically groundbreaking body design, stylish and luxurious interior and industry-first laser headlights. This new video explains the other half of the i8’s arsenal – its performance.

According to BMW, its new hybrid sports car is “all about performance, and efficiency,” and that its bizarre head-turning looks are there not despite its efficiency aspirations, but because of it. You can decide if the end visual result is to your liking or not, but there’s no denying that the i8 delivers on the performance front. In spades.

Its new lightweight 1.5 litre three-cylinder petrol engine offers 231 hp and 320 Nm of torque to the rear wheels. That’s a specific output of 154 hp per litre, which rivals that of race engines. Additionally, an electric motor sends another 131 hp and 250 Nm to the front wheels, achieving through-the-road all-wheel drive characteristics.

The combined system output is 362 hp and 570 Nm of torque, which allows the BMW i8 to get from 0 to 100 km/h as quickly as 4.4 seconds, and reach a limited top speed of 250 km/h. More impressive yet is the claimed 2.5 litre per 100 km (40 km/l) fuel economy, with a combined touring range of over 500 km. The best of both worlds?

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Hafriz Shah

Preferring to drive cars rather than desks, Hafriz Shah ditched his suit and tie to join the ranks of Malaysia’s motoring hacks. A car’s technical brilliance is completely lost on him, appreciating character-making quirks more. When not writing this ego trip of a bio, he’s usually off driving about aimlessly, preferably in a car with the right combination of three foot pedals and six gears.

 

Comments

  • seancorr on Dec 24, 2013 at 3:44 pm

    Very cool and futuristic car…and I love the car key! The engine and electric motor is no slouch either.

    With a starting price of USD137k and our government is ending the hybrid rebate for CBU cars, this baby will cost almost RM1mil after tax…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
    • Bodoh pricing. Electric cars sure to fail. Tipu also Environment friendly. Dispose batteries alone buat lebih damage than minyak biasa. BMW is Bodoh Motor Works. Intro car with Ferrari pricing. Otak Udang.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 5
  • This is really a BEST OF BOTH WORLD example of performance and efficiency. Now people will look at a hybrid/plug-in hybrid sports car differently.
    I think toyota should offer us with a plug-in-hybrid Prius instead of just Prius…The fuel efficiency is staggering..
    Kudos BMW

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 0
    • JDMftw on Dec 24, 2013 at 9:40 pm

      Toyota already had Prius PHV (plug-in hybrid vehicle) since years ago.

      Its just that it is not wise to use it here, there are not much charging stations

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • farizY on Dec 24, 2013 at 4:06 pm

    Looks like a concept car; only that, it isn’t!! nice!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 5
  • Touring range over 500km means full tank mileage is it?

    if 2.5 ltr/100km..then the fuel tank is approx 15 ltr?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 0
  • Gavin on Dec 24, 2013 at 8:35 pm

    even the key fob is a subject at parties

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • superbird #43 on Dec 24, 2013 at 9:28 pm

    266.25kW of power and 570 Nm of torque.
    together with claimed 40km/l of fc, 0-100km in 4.4 secs and touring range of 500km, i guess the figure is well, too neat to be true.
    further testing in the future conducted by independent party will confirm the above figure.
    anyway, they have shown us what they’re capable of.

    Modern Intrigue, BMW Ingenuity.
    Cheers

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • JDMftw on Dec 24, 2013 at 9:35 pm

    Best of both worlds ?

    Performance might be from beemer but hybrid system and plug-in is from TOYOTA

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 17
  • driver on Dec 24, 2013 at 11:42 pm

    even the 3 cylinder is superfluous for normal average joe usage. BMW rocks!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • BMW Motorsports on Dec 26, 2013 at 9:21 am

    Looks cool. If this is a replacement for Z4 and undergo BMW M division development for GT3/ GTE competition purpose, lower down force, fitted with BIG GT wing then, definite worth a BIG WOW!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Yes, tech sounds amazing and stuff. But BMW have not been the paragon of reliability. Imagine how many things will break down and malfunction within, say, 5 years of ownership, and the savings from the fuel are totally nullified… Hmm..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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