BMW Malaysia has officially launched the new BMW i8 Coupe, several months after the updated petrol-electric hybrid sports car made its global debut in November 2017 alongside its roadster sibling.
The biggest changes involve the car’s powertrain, whereby the 355-volt battery now features an increased cell capacity (34 Ah from the previous 20 Ah) and higher gross energy capacity (11.6 kWh from 7.1 kWh). The result is more electric range, which is now rated at 55 km, or 50% more than its predecessor.
Improvements have also been made to the electric motor that drives the front wheels, which continues to be linked to a two-speed automatic gearbox. It now outputs 141 hp (105 kW), which is a 12 hp (9 kW) increase.
While the electrical aspects have been enhanced, the BMW TwinPower Turbo 1.5 litre three-cylinder engine remains unchanged, making 228 hp and 320 Nm of torque that goes to the rear wheels via a six-speed Steptronic transmission.
Working together, the overall system output is rated at 369 hp, which is enough to propel the i8 Coupe from a rest to 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds, and limited top speed of 250 km/h (same as before). The fuel economy is a claimed 1.8 l/100 km and the car emits 42 g/km of CO2 – both figures are improvements from previously.
As this is still a plug-in hybrid model, you can charge the battery by connecting it to a domestic power socket (10 A, 230 V), with a full charge being reached in about 4.5 hours. Using a dedicated 3.7-kW i Wallbox (16 A, 230 V), it’ll take about three hours to achieve the same.
In terms of visual updates, the i8 now comes with an Air Shutter on the bonnet, which is an active aero feature that opens or closes depending on cooling versus aerodynamic needs.
The airflow at the front of the car has been tweaked to accommodate this, with the air being directed to the sides of the car near the wheel arches and into the underbody rather than exiting through the outlet in the bonnet when less cooling is needed.
Elsewhere, there’s also the addition of ‘Coupe’ badging on the C-pillar and the car rides on Jet Black 20-inch light-alloy wheels in a radial-spoke design (Style 516) like the i8 Roadster, with staggered tyre sizes (215/45 front and 245/40 rear). The available paint finishes include Jet Black, Crystal White with Frozen Grey highlights, or Donington Grey from the BMW Individual selection.
Beyond these changes, the exterior remains largely unchanged from before. We still get the attention-grabbing dihedral doors, Air Curtains in the front apron, a sealed underbody, countoured side skirts, “stream flow” lines on the flanks, and air ducts between the rear lights and roof frame.
Moving inside, the i8 Coupe comes with a ceramic surround for the gear lever and bezel for the iDrive controller. There’s also ‘Drycarbon’ interior trim, an anthracite headliner and ‘Spheric’ leather upholstery in either Gigia Amido or Accaro E-Copper. The dashboard layout remains pleasantly familiar, but gains a new, configurable colour heads-up display and the latest version of Navigation System Professional.
The latter works with the car’s iDrive operating system, Touch Controller on the centre console, an 8.8-inch freestanding display as well as a 600-watt Harman Kardon surround sound system. Other items on the kit list include LED headlamps with high-beam assist, Park Distance Control, powered seats, ambient lighting system and a dual-zone climate control system.
If you want the keys to one of BMW’s most recognisable models, the price of ownership is a cool RM1,310,800 on-the-road without insurance. Included in the sum is a five-year/unlimited mileage warranty with free scheduled service programme, a two-year tyre warranty programme, roadside assistance, BMW Service Online and BMW White Card membership (with access to the BMW Group Loyalty+ mobile app).
An alternative is the Balloon Financing Plan from BMW Credit, which allows you to own the new i8 Coupe with monthly instalment plans starting from RM15,088 (based on estimates of an 80% loan on a five-year tenure).
For more information and detailed specification of the new BMW i8, head on over to CarBase.my.
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No hybrid tax breaks?
Kena ckd only can sell at 400k
BMW gear lever is FANCY TO LOOK AT BUT the most crappiest and dangerous… those who own BMW with this design will know… BMW should go back to the standard ones.
Such crazy pricing. RM1.3 million for this car. This car cost US$130k. But in Malaysia…..price jumps to RM1.3 million.
In overseas, US$130k cannot even buy a small tiny house. In Malaysia, RM1.3 million can buy a huge bungalow.
Truly, Malaysia has the highest car prices in the world.
Migrate to US then, enjoy paying 10% up to 40% income tax and the freedom of gun.
Byr shj loo
Not true. Car prices in Singapore are a lot more expensive than Boleh Land. In fact Thailand also slightly more expensive than our country.
Spend RM1.3 million on a EV that can only do 55KM?? Is this a joke?
Many EV cars now are doing over 100KM. Some even going few hundred KM and they cost much much more cheaper.
Is BMW Malaysia really serious? Charging RM1.3 million car that gives only 55KM?
Eh… I will use Petrol when u exceed to 100km/h
and this is a Plug In Hybrid not Electric
You think this is Tesla Or What??
This is plug in hybrid bro
Tesla and even Chevrolet now can do over 500KM. Real dumb to sell 1.3 million and only can do 55KM. Most Malaysians from Shah Alam to KL already done 55KM
Ini plug in hybrid la bro
This is PHEV la hello… Not EV… It’s still a hybrid car.. aduh….
Failure at reading as well.
wah, last time 1.18, now 1.3…but 5 years unlimited warranty for a super car, good buy!
BMW Malaysia greedy. Last time Ringgit to dollar 4.5, now 4.1
So car price should be RM900k now RM1.3 mil. Easy way to make RM400k buta buta
I wonder if it still has the fake exhaust sound mode like the previous gen .. *facepalm*
Want to go full EV, go Tesla.
Bang for bucks! I mean the apple i8
I’ve been puzzling over the years now. BMW Malaysia, why no i3 in Malaysia? What’s wrong with that?
What!! RM1.3 million for a petrol-electric hybrid sports car that propel the i8 Coupe to 100 km/h in 4.4 sec & a limited top speed of 250 kmh.
That is Damn Bloody expensive for a hybrid car essentially. The only thing that is cheaper than a P1 Preve is the Road-tax. I wonder how many rich M’sian will buy one??
1.3 million car road tax only $90, very good
Me opted for X6 M for that price..LOL
Affordable prices, cheaper than Farrali, o.k on.
Choices of recond stock from quarter price onwards
quarter price for recond ? you find me a recond i8 for 350k, i pay you 50k finders fee, deal ?
That’s quite a lot of money for a sporty car that saves fuel. I’d rather get a Carrera S which costs about the same, but with better performance figures. No doubt it will cost you more at the pumps compared to the i8. But the Porsche is also better looking and more practical (rear seats anyone?).
would you get a ferrari or an i8?
if i got the money petrol consumption is not a problem… so i prefer to go for brute power.
brand new ferrari costs above 2 million , inclusive taxes.
1.3 million ringgit for this sissy electric car??
I am sure even with 500k, I can already buy much better performance (more hp, more grunt, better styling, better of many things) car this BMW….
It surely is a special vehicle for what it is, but what offered on the used market 500k or so would be a more reasonable price that I would buy. At 1.2 million even Lexus LFA left unsold for many many years, how long they are going to hold this unit? You can buy the 2 latest facelift version of GTR with this hybrid that lacked everything it offered, you can even buy an ultra collectible niche like the Mercedes SLS.