Woodcliff Lake, NJ – September 10, 2013 3:00am EDT/12:00am
PDT… Today at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, BMW unveiled
one of the most widely anticipated cars in its history – the BMW i8.
On most levels, this plug-in hybrid 2+2 sports car is unlike any car
ever introduced. It was also announced that the 2014 BMW i8 will have
a manufacturer’s suggest retail price of $135,700 plus destination and
handling when it arrives in US showrooms in spring of 2014. This is
before any federal or state incentives for which the i8 may qualify.
The BMW i8 at a glance
- First plug-in hybrid vehicle from the BMW Group and world’s most
forward-looking sports car; revolutionary interpretation of BMW’s
hallmark driving pleasure; groundbreaking premium character clearly
defined in terms of sustainability.
- 2+2-seater with LifeDrive architecture developed specifically for
BMW i, aerodynamically groundbreaking body design and visionary
interior design deliver an intense driving experience; Life module
passenger cell made from carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP);
drive system technology, high-voltage battery, chassis, and crash
and structural functions integrated into the aluminum Drive module;
curb weight: 3,285 lbs (1,490 kg); Cd: 0.26; very low center of
gravity (below 18 inches/460 millimeters); well-balanced weight distribution.
• Emotion-led visual impression based around established BMW i
design language; classical sports car proportions and fresh
interpretation of BMW design features; doors open upwards like wings;
clean lines, plus surface design (external and internal) based on the
layering principle; full-LED headlights as standard, innovative laser
headlights – unique worldwide – available as an option where
regulations allow.
• Plug-in hybrid system developed and produced by the BMW Group
represents the latest development stage of Efficient Dynamics; debut
for three-cylinder gasoline engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo
technology, displacement: 1.5 liters, output: 170 kW/228 hp, maximum
torque: 320 Nm (236 lb-ft); power sent to the rear wheels via a
six-speed automatic gearbox; model-specific hybrid synchronous
electric motor, output: 96 kW/129 hp, maximum torque: 250 Nm
(184 lb-ft); power channeled through the front wheels via a two-stage
automatic transmission; lithium-ion high-voltage battery with liquid
cooling and usable capacity of 5 kWh.
• First combination of BMW TwinPower Turbo and BMW eDrive
technology plus intelligent energy management produce system output of
266 kW/357 hp (max. torque: 570 Nm / 420 lb-ft) and give the BMW i8
the performance characteristics of a pure-bred sports car (0 –60 mph
in 4.2 seconds) combined with fuel economy and emissions comparable to
a small car - EU fuel consumption: 2.5 litres per 100 km / 94 mpg
(US); “glued-to-the-road” AWD driving experience with torque
distribution geared towards optimized dynamics.
• Driving Experience Control switch and eDrive button allow
driver to choose from five driving modes; range of up to 35 kilometers
(22 miles) on electric power alone and a top speed of 120 km/h
(75 mph); COMFORT mode offers optimum balance between dynamics and
efficiency; combined range in everyday conditions: over 500 kilometers
(310 miles); SPORT mode with ultra-intense boost function provided by
the electric motor; ECO PRO mode can be used in both all-electric mode
and hybrid mode.
• Sophisticated chassis technology featuring a double-wishbone
front axle and a five-link rear axle; Electric Power Steering; Dynamic
Damper Control comes as standard; 20-inch light-alloy wheels are standard.
• Intelligent lightweight construction with elements including a
CFRP passenger cell, doors with a CFRP-aluminum structure, an
instrument panel with magnesium support, an aluminum chassis and a
partition between the passenger compartment and boot made from thin
glass; comprehensive safety concept and an ultra-torsionally stiff
passenger cell.
• Extensive standard equipment includes the Navigation system
Professional with proactive drive system for all-electric driving,
fully-digital instrument display, BMW iDrive with freestanding Control
Display and leather sports seats; choice of four exterior paint
finishes and four interior equipment variants.
• Wide range of BMW ConnectedDrive features: Park Distance
Control, cruise control system with braking function, rain sensor and
Intelligent Emergency Call function, driver assistance package with
High Beam Assistant, a rear view camera, Surround View, Speed Limit
Info including No Passing Info display, and Collision Warning with
pedestrian recognition and braking function; also available are the
Head-Up Display, BMW Online Entertainment, Concierge Services,
Real Time Traffic Information and mobility services developed
specifically for BMW i, e.g. intermodal route guidance as standard.
- Services specifically developed for BMW i as part of the
360° ELECTRIC program: BMW i Charging Station for convenient battery
charging at home, ChargeNow card giving customers a cash-free
payment option at public charging stations as well as innovative
mobility services such as MyCityWay and ParkatmyHouse; flexible
sales concept enables made-to-measure mobility solutions.
- All-embracing sustainability concept running like a thread through
the value chain; carbon fiber production and vehicle assembly using
100-per cent renewable electricity; high proportion of recycled
materials; use of materials manufactured and treated in an
environmentally friendly manner.
BMW i8: The sports car of the future
BMW i stands for the creation of pure-bred vehicle concepts,
sustainability throughout the value chain, complementary mobility
services and a fresh understanding of premium defined squarely in
terms of sustainability. And now the BMW Group can unveil the BMW i8 –
a new, cutting-edge generation of sports car. The second model
unveiled by the new BMW i brand combines a plug-in hybrid drive system
with a passenger cell made from carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP)
and an aluminum frame for the combustion engine and electric motor,
the battery pack and the suspension. With this revolutionary concept
and the emotional appeal of its aerodynamically optimized body design,
the 2+2-seater – which was conceived from the outset as a plug-in
hybrid – paves the way for an engagingly dynamic and futuristically
efficient take on BMW’s hallmark driving pleasure. By cementing the
brand’s new premium character, strongly defined by sustainability, in
the sports car segment, the new i8 also demonstrates the broad spread
and universal appeal of the BMW i philosophy.
The research and development activities carried out by the BMW Group
since 2007 as part of its project i initiative have laid the
groundwork for a visionary car conceived with the impact of
environmental, economic and social change around the world very much
in mind. Alongside its conceptual and technological development work,
the company has also conducted field studies looking at the use of
pure-electric vehicles in everyday conditions. More than 1,000 people
have taken part in the studies, racking up in excess of
32 million kilometers (20 million miles) at the wheel. The knowledge
gained as a result has been channeled into the creation of innovative
vehicle concepts and mobility solutions.
Breaking new ground: premium cars underpinned by sustainability-led
concepts arrive in the sports car segment.
The development of BMW
i cars follows a revolutionary approach, a strategy focusing on the
creation of premium cars purpose-designed to be powered by purely
electric or plug-in hybrid drive systems. This electric drive
technology (packaged under the BMW eDrive banner) is therefore a
central component of the vehicle concept – in contrast to the
“conversion” model, where vehicles are retrofitted with electric drive
systems. Characteristic BMW driving dynamics coupled with
emission-free mobility, precise energy flow management, pioneering
design, intelligent lightweight construction and production processes
that preserve energy and resources come together to mutually
complementary effect to form the innovative, sustainability-led
premium character of BMW i cars.
The BMW i8 was conceived from the ground up as a plug-in hybrid
sports car boasting agile performance attributes and extraordinary
efficiency. Its LifeDrive architecture – developed specifically for
BMW i – offers the ideal platform for a weight-minimizing
construction, low center of gravity and even weight distribution. The
combustion engine and electric motor, battery pack, power electronics,
chassis components, and structural and crash functions are all
arranged within the aluminum Drive module, while the central element
of the Life module is the i8’s CFRP passenger cell. This structure
also allows a considerable degree of design freedom, which has been
utilized – within the framework of the design language developed for
BMW i – to give the BMW i8 its distinctive appearance.
The perfect balance of performance and fuel consumption: the BMW i8
represents an exciting new landmark in Efficient Dynamics.
The
BMW i8 offers a revolutionary and future-focused interpretation of
BMW’s signature driving pleasure – and in so doing, makes its case as
the world’s most progressive model in the sports car segment. The
plug-in hybrid drive system developed and manufactured by the
BMW Group especially for the BMW i8 represents a new stage of
evolution in the Efficient Dynamics development strategy.
The BMW Group launched Efficient Dynamics over a decade ago with the
aim of significantly enhancing the performance characteristics and
efficiency of every new BMW Group model. Efficient Dynamics
incorporates both the evolution of existing technology and the use of
revolutionary new drive system concepts. For example, efficient
vehicle concepts focusing on lightweight design and aerodynamics,
dynamic drive systems featuring both BMW TwinPower Turbo technology
and BMW eDrive, and intelligent management of energy consumption
within the vehicle are applied in various current BMW models. BMW i
cars benefit from the introduction of revolutionary new technology
which subsequently finds its way into the models produced by the core
brands of the BMW Group.
As a world-leading supplier of premium cars and, increasingly, also
premium services, the BMW Group is playing an active and defining role
in the changing face of personal mobility. And awareness of issues
such as resource scarcity, climate change and creeping urbanization is
also growing among the public. The BMW Group’s commitment to
sustainability has long been a key element of its corporate strategy
and is one of the fundamental principles enforced throughout the
company’s value chain, as independent studies have regularly
confirmed. The BMW Group has been named the “world’s most sustainable
automobile manufacturer” in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for
eight consecutive years.
BMW i8: the trailblazer for a new generation of sports car.
The
underlying principle of Efficient Dynamics – more driving pleasure,
lower fuel consumption – is expressed with particular purity by the
BMW i8. With the performance attributes of a pure-bred sports car and
the fuel consumption of a small city model, the first BMW plug-in
hybrid vehicle hits heights only attainable through the revolutionary
BMW i vehicle concept. And that makes the BMW i8 a trailblazer for a
new generation of sports cars, defined not only by their performance
characteristics but also by intelligent solutions to the challenges
personal mobility will encounter over the years ahead.
Thanks to its revolutionary vehicle concept and intelligent drive
system management, the BMW i8 strikes the optimum
balance between dynamic ability and efficiency in a variety of driving
situations. The output of the engine and electric motor, the capacity
of the high-voltage battery, intelligent energy management and the
vehicle’s overall weight are tailored to form a precisely composed
package that defines the unique character of the plug-in hybrid sports
car. Its all-electric driving range is sufficient to cover most urban
driving requirements, and out of town, the BMW i8 offers impressively
sporty performance which is also very efficient thanks to the
power-boosting support for the gasoline engine from the electric motor.
Efficiency and driving dynamics alike are optimized by the broad
application of lightweight design – from the CFRP passenger cell to
the weight-reduced construction of all other components – and mobility
services developed specially for BMW i. The all-encompassing approach
of the BMW i brand also includes the extensive use of recycled
materials, renewable raw materials and naturally treated materials,
alongside extremely resource-efficient production methods. This
overall concept makes the BMW i8 the world’s most forward-looking
sports car. It brings together thrilling performance and progressive
efficiency. In the process it boosts driving pleasure and
sustainability awareness in equal measure.
Sustainability: the reference point for the entire development
process.
As part of the development of BMW i cars, sustainability
targets are established and then pursued with the same vigor as cost,
weight or quality objectives. This all-embracing approach is reflected
both in the selection of materials and in the construction and
manufacturing processes, which differ substantially from conventional
manufacturing methods in the automotive industry. The low overall
weight of the BMW i8 (3,285 lbs/1,490 kilograms) can be credited
primarily to a passenger cell made from CFRP. Although it lends a
component at least equal rigidity, this extremely lightweight
high-tech material is 50 percent lighter than steel and 30 percent
lighter than aluminum. The principle of intelligent lightweight design
is applied to all the car’s components.
The doors are made up of a CFRP inner structure and an aluminum outer
skin and weigh 50 percent less than a conventional construction. The
intelligent construction of the magnesium instrument panel support
brings a weight saving of around 30 percent compared with the
BMW 6 Series, for example. In addition, the high structural rigidity
of the magnesium support structure gives it a strengthening effect
which allows the number of components to be reduced, thereby lowering
weight by a further 10 percent. Innovative foam plastic technology
used in the air conditioning ducts cuts their weight by 60 percent
compared with a conventional solution, 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 aluminum wiring
enables further weight reductions.
The BMW i8 is also the world’s first volume-produced vehicle to be
equipped with chemically hardened thin glass. This innovative
technology, so far used mainly in smartphone manufacturing, lends the
material impressive 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 millimeters
thick, with acoustic sheeting sandwiched in between. In addition to
excellent acoustic properties, a further advantage of this solution is
a weight saving of around 50 percent compared with conventional
laminated glass.
As well as weight, the potential for preserving resources is a
decisive factor in the choice of materials. The majority of the
aluminum used in the BMW i8 is either gained through recycling or
produced using renewable energy. Added to which, the BMW Group has
developed a globally unique recycling concept for CFRP components,
body components and segregated production waste recovered from the
manufacturing of CFRP components and reusable materials from
accident-damaged and end-of-life vehicles which are either fed back
into the production process or used for other applications.
The BMW Group is the world’s first carmaker to employ an
environmentally friendly process for the treatment of leather. The
leather for the surfaces of the seats and the instrument panel is
tanned using olive leaf extract. This avoids the creation of
environmentally damaging production residue as well as giving the
leather a particularly high-quality and natural look. The cattle hide
comes exclusively from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and the
natural treatment process takes place in Germany. This keeps distances
to the BMW i8 production facility at BMW Plant Leipzig pleasingly short.
The textile materials used in the interior of the BMW i8 for accent
strips on the seats and door trim, the roof liner, the floor mats, the
body pillar trim and floor covering are made in an innovative
recycling process. The polyester granules that serve as the source
material are produced from materials including recyclable PET and are
combined with 40 percent virgin wool in a special process to create a
high-grade cover fabric. The manufacture of the key for the BMW i8
involves another innovative form of raw material production; its
casing is made from a biopolymer based on castor beans. The oil gained
from the beans is mixed with 30 percent glass fiber to make an
extremely high-quality and robust material.
Resource-efficient processes from material production to vehicle
assembly.
The extensive use of CFRP is a central element in the
revolutionary vehicle concept underpinning the BMW i8, and the
BMW Group is also a leader in this area of the production process. The
use of CFRP on the scale required for the BMW i models is without
parallel in the automotive industry worldwide. The BMW Group has
teamed up with its joint venture partner, the SGL Group, to oversee a
factory in the US making carbon fiber. The facility is located in
Moses Lake, Washington, and represents an integral link in the value
chain for the production of BMW i cars. It secures the BMW Group a
supply of the high-quality and sustainably produced basic material
required for the manufacture of CFRP components. The carbon fibers
produced at Moses Lake are made into lightweight laminates at the
Wackersdorf Innovation Park in Germany. These are subsequently turned
into CFRP parts and components in the press shops at the BMW plants in
Landshut and Leipzig.
The energy used to manufacture the carbon fiber at Moses Lake is
provided exclusively by locally sourced renewable hydro-electric
power, which means it is 100 percent CO2-free. Highly
resource-efficient processes have also been put in place for the other
stages of production for BMW i brand cars. The result is a reduction
of around 50 percent in energy consumption compared with the already
highly economical average figures across the BMW Group’s production
network and a drop in water consumption of roughly 70 percent. For
example, the energy required for production of BMW i cars at the
Leipzig plant comes exclusively from wind power – i.e. it is derived
entirely from renewable energy sources. This was the first time that
wind turbines had been installed at an automotive manufacturing plant
in Germany to provide a directly supply of power to its production halls.
Design: Vision becomes a reality
With its ultra-dynamic proportions, elegantly sporty lines, low-slung
silhouette and innovative design features, the BMW i8 represents a new
generation of sports car. Bringing together hallmark features of the
BMW brand with the design language developed especially for BMW i
creates a progressive aesthetic which faithfully communicates the
performance attributes, efficiency and innovative premium character of
the plug-in hybrid sports car.
The launch of the BMW i8 sees the world’s first sports car to be
developed from the ground up under the banner of sustainability
complete its journey from vision to reality. Both the exterior and
interior of the emotionally-led 2+2 embody a revolutionary, pioneering
take on the The Ultimate Driving Machine. Clean, minimalist lines and
homogeneous surfaces defined by a small number of precise edges and
function-focused details underline the status of the BMW i8 as the
most forward-looking car in its segment.
As the second series-produced BMW i model on the road, the BMW i8
also reveals the versatility of the design language which is
establishing itself as an unmistakable signature of BMW i cars. Its
design signals lightness, safety, efficiency and pure driving pleasure
– stand-out qualities that the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car shares
with the BMW i3, its pure-electric sibling conceived for agile and
comfortable urban driving.
The key to this versatility is the innovative LifeDrive architecture,
which opens up an exceptional degree of freedom for BMW i design. The
central element of the Life module is the carbon-fiber-reinforced
plastic (CFRP) passenger cell. The Life module is fixed to the
aluminum Drive module, which houses all the drive and chassis
technology. This distinctive two-way split is reflected on both the
outside and the inside of the car by the visible layering and
intertwining of different surfaces, with three-dimensional and flowing
transitions between the Life module and Drive module accentuating the
dynamic appearance of the BMW i8.
A length of 4,689 millimeters (184.6 inches) , width of
1,942 millimeters (76.5 inches) and height of 1,293 millimeters (51
inches) give the BMW i8 typical sports car proportions. Its dynamic
character is also reflected in its long bonnet, clearly visible
aerodynamic aids, stretched roofline, short overhangs and long,
2,800-millimeter (110.2 inches) wheelbase. The pioneering combination
of sporting ability and efficiency is translated into the design of
the 2+2-seater with intoxicating élan – and with the signature BMW i
design language to the fore. The car’s wide track: 1,644 millimeters
(64.8 inches) at the front axle, 1,715 millimeters (67.5 inches) at
the rear, completes the powerful dynamic presence generated by the
car’s proportions.
Exterior design: an aesthetic synthesis of dynamic appeal and
pioneering technology.
The design of the BMW i8 body is as
groundbreaking as the plug-in hybrid sports car’s concept as a whole.
Hallmark BMW dynamics, lightweight design and efficiency are all
expressed in the car’s proportions, lines and surface design. The
2+2-seater is immediately recognizable as a BMW i model and a
new-generation sports car.
The structure of overlapping and interlocking surfaces – lent
additional emphasis by the car’s color concept – also contributes to
the unmistakable appearance of the BMW i8. This layering principle
allows aerodynamic forms to be wrapped up in a progressively styled
package, while powerfully formed wheel arches draw attention to the
wide track of the BMW i8. The compact construction distinguishing both
the electric motor and combustion engine allows the front and rear
sections of the car to be particularly low-slung and thus accentuate
the car’s dynamically stretched flanks. The scissor-type doors, which
open forward and upwards like wings, add extra intrigue to the sports
car design of the BMW i8.
A signature feature of the BMW i brand is the “black band”. On the
BMW i8, it emerges in a “V” shape from the hood and extends back over
the roof into the rear section of the car, where it frames the center
section of the rear apron. At the front end, the black band is framed
by the body-colored apron and fenders, while at the rear it is
overlapped by the “floating” roof pillars, which extend over the rear
lights. Another element of the standalone BMW i design language is the
“stream flow” contour of the side window. On the BMW i8 the stream
flow also determines the path travelled by the air between the falling
roofline and the character line rising through the rear section of the
car’s flanks towards the rear spoiler lip.
The front view of the BMW i8 exudes sporting ability in its purest
form. Large front apron air intakes arranged over several levels
generate a powerful feeling of depth. The extremely broad BMW kidney
grille stretches over to the slim headlights, accentuating the width
of the BMW i8 and its road-focused stance. The car’s full-LED
headlights adopt the hallmark U-shape of BMW i models. The dipped and
high-beam light is emitted by a lens positioned on the far outer edge
of the light units. The three-dimensional design of the light sources
lend their appearance a sporty character.
The low-slung stance of the rear end and its horizontal,
width-emphasizing lines also provide a clear showcase for the dynamic
potential of the BMW i8. The rear is bordered by the sculpted rear
wheel arches. The sloping rear window opens high, allowing easy access
to the storage compartment located underneath. The rear lights,
reflectors and rear diffuser form a single visual unit that
strengthens the car’s already powerful appearance. Like the
headlights, the intricately designed rear light clusters also feature
the characteristic BMW i U-shaped design. The directional indicators
are integrated above the rear lights into the descending roofline. All
of the exterior lights on the BMW i8 are LEDs.
Visible efficiency: aerodynamic optimization on a detailed
level.
The BMW i8 boasts a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.26 and a
fine aerodynamic balance. The low-slung hood, almost totally blanked
off kidney grille, Air Curtains in the front apron, sealed underbody,
contoured side skirts, “stream flow” lines of the car’s flanks, and
the air ducts between the rear lights and roof frame allow the air to
be channeled extremely effectively as it hits the car.
The large wheels with their bespoke, aerodynamically optimized design
also help to quell efficiency-reducing turbulence – and their effect
is reinforced by aeroflaps positioned behind the front wheels and
ahead of the rear wheels. Precisely defined air flow across all areas
of the body provides a balance between air resistance and lift
designed to maximize driving dynamics and directional stability.
The paintwork adorning the side body panels and front and rear ends
of the BMW i8 can be specified in a choice of four colors, three of
which have been created exclusively for BMW i. All the paint finishes
provide a striking contrast to the black band. And, depending on the
color chosen, the accent surfaces on the side skirts, at the rear and
on the BMW kidney grille surround come in BMW i Frozen Blue or Frozen Grey.
Interior design: customary BMW driver focus in a progressive ambience
defined by dynamics and lightness.
Future-focused design also
dominates the interior of the BMW i8. The driver orientation typical
of BMW cockpit design is complemented by progressive elements which
highlight the sports car’s dynamic flair and light weight. The driver,
front passenger and rear passengers sit low down – in traditional
sports car style – in lightweight seats. The standard leather trim
extends beyond the seat surfaces to parts of the center console,
instrument panel and interior door panels. The use of leather treated
with natural substances, including olive leaf extract as a tanning
agent, underlines the sustainable character of the BMW i8 alongside
its exclusivity and sporting allure. Exposed CFRP sections of the
passenger cell visible around the entry apertures when the doors are
opened provide a reminder of the low weight of the BMW i8.
The instrument panel of the BMW i8, with its horizontal lines
emphasizing the width of the interior and a structure determined by
the “layering” principle, creates a light yet powerful impression. The
arrangement of the overlapping, three-dimensional segments is
complemented by a contrast-rich color scheme. The layering approach
also finds its way, through dynamically curving lines, into the design
of the center console, which is home to the gearshift lever, the
Controller for the iDrive operating system, the start/stop button, the
eDrive button and the Driving Experience Control switch. The iDrive
system’s Control Display comes in a freestanding 8.8-inch format. A
bespoke sports steering wheel with multifunction buttons and the
Navigation system are standard in the BMW i8. Also standard is the
multifunction instrument display, whose content and presentation
formats take their cue from the driving mode selected.
Available as alternatives to the standard Mega trim for the BMW i8
interior are the Giga and Tera Worlds. In standard specification, the
contrast between black surfaces in the cockpit and light Carum Grey
leather surfaces emphasizes the lightness and sustainability of this
vehicle concept. The leather surfaces of the door and side trim are
complemented by functional textile highlights made from recycled
material. The Giga equipment World is available in light or dark
versions. The naturally treated leather surfaces feature perforated
elements and subtle contrast stitching which underline the superior
character of the material and workmanship involved. Painted surface
elements on the instrument panel, door trim and center console add the
finishing touches to the cutting-edge ambience. The Tera equipment
World brings a pervasive aura of luxury and sustainability to the
interior of the BMW i8. Top-quality leather surfaces combine with
textile accents and contrast stitching in BMW i Blue. And when it
comes to the color scheme, dark Dalbergia Brown and light Carum Grey
provide attractive contrasts. The Tera World also brings high-class
paintwork to selected instrument panel and door trim surfaces. The
accent ring for the leather steering wheel comes in BMW i Blue in the
Tera equipment World and in Satin Silver in the Mega and Giga worlds.
The Pure Impulse equipment world offers the most Premium combination
of materials and equipment.
Powertrain and driving experience: The best of both worlds
The BMW i8 embodies a revolutionary, future-focused interpretation of
the driving pleasure for which BMW is renowned. It was
purpose-designed as a plug-in-hybrid sports car offering agile
performance and outstanding efficiency. An exceptionally lightweight
and aerodynamically optimized body – including a passenger cell made
from carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) – plus advanced BMW eDrive
drive system technology, a compact, highly turbocharged 1.5-liter
gasoline engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and intelligent
energy management all come together to create an overall concept that
represents a new landmark in the Efficient Dynamics development
strategy. The BMW i8 blends the performance of a top-end sports car
with fuel economy and emissions levels below even small urban
subcompacts. It is based, moreover, around a vehicle architecture that
offers the perfect platform for agile handling, thanks to an ultra-low
center of gravity and near perfect 50 : 50 weight distribution.
The three-cylinder combustion engine in the BMW i8 develops
170 kW/231 hp and drives the rear wheels, while the 96 kW/131 hp
electric motor draws its energy from a lithium-ion battery, which can
be charged from a conventional 110 volt power outlet as well as a 220
volt electric vehicle charger, and sends its power to the front axle.
This bespoke plug-in hybrid system, developed and produced by the
BMW Group, enables a range in everyday driving of up to 35 kilometers
(approx. 22 miles) and a top speed of 120 km/h (approx. 75 mph) on
electric power alone, coupled with a “glued-to-the-road” all-wheel
driving experience headlined by powerful acceleration and a
dynamically-biased distribution of power through enthusiastically
taken corners. The more powerful of the two power sources drives the
rear wheels and uses the electric boost from the hybrid system to
deliver hallmark BMW driving pleasure while at the same time offering
groundbreaking levels of efficiency. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph takes
just 4.2 seconds, yet average fuel consumption – as calculated in the
EU test cycle for plug-in hybrid vehicles – stands at the equivalent
of 94 miles per US gallon from launch.
Maximum driving pleasure and efficiency:
BMW TwinPower Turbo engine and
electric motor developed by the BMW Group.
The plug-in hybrid
drive 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 emphasized by a further
innovation: the use of an 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 gasoline 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 from its 1.5-litre
displacement. The resulting specific output of 113 kW/154 hp per liter
of displacement is on a par with other 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 BMW’s inline six-cylinder 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 gasoline
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 meters (236 lb-ft).
The car’s second power source is a hybrid synchronous electric motor
specially developed and produced by the BMW Group for the BMW i8. The
motor develops maximum power of 96 kW/131 hp and produces its maximum
torque of around 250 Newton meters (184 lb-ft) from standstill. Power
is instantly available –an advantage of electric motors- from 0 rpm
and remains available into the higher load ranges. Credit for the
linear power delivery, which extends right up to the high end of the
rpm range, goes 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 with a special arrangement and
dimensions for the torque-producing components. This results in a
self-magnetizing 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 gasoline 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 kilometers (approx. 22 miles). The motor
derives its energy from the lithium-ion battery which is centrally
mounted underneath the floor of the vehicle. This model-specific
version of the high-voltage battery was developed and produced by the
BMW Group. It has a liquid cooling system, offers a maximum usable
capacity of five kilowatt hours and can be recharged from a
conventional 110 volt AC power outlet, at a BMW i charging station, or
at a public EV charging station.
The BMW i8’s vehicle concept and powertrain control highlight its
progressive, revolutionary character. The BMW i8 always achieves the
optimal balance between dynamic performance and efficiency, whatever
the driving situation. For example, the battery can also be recharged
via the electric motor while decelerating. In addition to this, when
power demands allow, the high-voltage battery is recharged by the
electric motor. The high-voltage starter-generator, responsible for
starting the combustion engine, can also be used as a generator to
charge the battery, the necessary power being provided by the
BMW TwinPower Turbo engine. These various processes help ensure that
the BMW i8 always has sufficient energy on board to power the electric
drive system. The all-electric driving range is sufficient to cover
most urban driving requirements. Out of town, the BMW i8 delivers
impressively sporty performance with extreme efficiency, thanks to the
electric motor’s power-boosting support for the gasoline engine. 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 the sense for sustainability.
The rear wheels of the BMW i8 are driven by the gasoline engine via a
six-speed automatic transmission, while the front wheels receive their
power from the electric motor via a two-stage automatic transmission.
Combined maximum output of 266 kW/357 hp and combined peak torque of
570 Newton meters (420 lb-ft) 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
maximizing the energy efficiency of the overall system. Utilizing both
power sources enables a 0 –60 mph time of 4.2 seconds. 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
gasoline 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.
Five driving modes allow drivers to adjust efficiency and dynamic
performance as desired – at the touch of a button.
The BMW i8
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. It
gives the driver five operating modes to choose from: D for automated
gear selection in COMFORT and ECO PRO modes, SPORT mode and eDrive for
pure-electric driving – likewise with a choice of COMFORT and ECO PRO mode.
The Driving Experience Control switch on the center console gives
drivers 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-optimized driving style. The powertrain controller
coordinates the cooperation between the gasoline engine and the
electric motor for minimal fuel consumption. 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
everyday driving range of the BMW i8 on a full fuel tank and with a
fully charged battery is over 500 kilometers (310 miles) in COMFORT 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 maximized. And to keep the battery topped up, SPORT mode also
activates maximum energy recuperation during deceleration and braking.
If the battery is being recharged using the car’s kinetic energy, the
electric motor’s generator function 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 Dynamic Damper
Control and the Electric Power Steering.
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.
Sophisticated chassis technology with Dynamic Damper
Control.
The dynamic chassis and suspension technology of the
BMW i8 is based on a double-wishbone front axle and a five-link rear
axle, whose aluminum components and geometry are specially configured
for intelligent weight savings. The Electric Power Steering offers
easy maneuvering in town and typical sports car-style high-speed
steering precision, combined with particularly low energy consumption.
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.
CFRP wheels reduce weight in critical areas.
The chassis
components of the BMW i8 are defined by their weight-minimized
construction. The car’s standard 20-inch forged aluminum wheels have
an aerodynamically optimized, lightweight design. CFRP wheels
developed exclusively for the BMW i8 can be specified as an option in
markets where regulations allow them. They allow a further reduction
in weight in an area of the car which plays a particularly prominent
role when it comes to agility. The use of three-piece wheels made from
this extremely lightweight and high-strength material directly reduces
unsprung masses and produces a weight saving of three kilograms per wheel.
Body and safety: lightweight and maximum protection
The BMW i8 has its own version of the LifeDrive architecture
developed for BMW i that gives it a unique range of tools for
combining intelligent lightweight design and safety – to the highest
standard in each case. The horizontally split LifeDrive architecture
consists of two separate, independent modules. The combustion engine
and electric motor, battery pack, power electronics, chassis
components, and structure and crash functions are arranged together in
the aluminum Drive module, while the central element of the
Life module is the 2+2-seater’s carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP)
passenger cell. The vehicle structure and materials employed in the i8
represent a pioneering example of automotive construction and
reinforce the position of the BMW i8 as the most progressive model in
the sports car segment worldwide.
CFRP is the lightest available material that can be used in the
construction of a car body without compromising on safety. One of the
stand-out characteristics of this high-tech material is its hugely
impressive torsional rigidity, yet it is also carries 50 percent less
weight than steel and is 30 percent lighter than aluminum. The
LifeDrive architecture and high proportion of CFRP and aluminum in the
car’s construction allow a previously unprecedented dimension in
weight optimization. The curb weight of the BMW i8 stands at
1,490 kilograms (3285 lb), and the LifeDrive architecture also has a
positive effect on how this weight is distributed. The battery unit is
positioned low down in a central position, helping to give the car a
low center of gravity and enhance safety accordingly. In fact, the
center of gravity of the BMW i8 is less than 18 inches
(460 millimeters) from the ground, making it lower than any other
current BMW Group model. And this, like the car’s near perfect 50 : 50
weight distribution, ensures excellent handling properties.
CFRP passenger cell: flexible in form, extremely strong in crash
tests.
The LifeDrive architecture also allows exceptional levels
of freedom when it comes to body design. In the case of the BMW i8,
the result is an appearance that reflects the car’s sporting
characteristics, its innovative premium character and its
groundbreaking technology. The impressive structural strength of the
CFRP passenger cell allows particularly large door apertures, which in
turn ensure comfortable access to the rear seats of the BMW i8. The
structure of the distinctive doors, which open forward and upwards
like wings, is composed of a CFRP inner structure and an aluminum
outer skin. This construction is 50 percent lighter than a
conventional equivalent.
In its dry, resin-free state CFRP can be worked almost like a
textile, and as such allows a high degree of flexibility in how it is
shaped. The composite only gains its rigid, final form after the resin
injected into the lattice has hardened. This makes it at least as
durable as steel, but it is much more lightweight. The high tear
resistance along the length of the fiber also allows CFRP components
to be given a high-strength design by following their direction of
loading. To this end, the fibers are arranged within the component
according to their load characteristics. By overlaying the fiber
alignment, components can also be strengthened against load in several
different directions. In this way, the components can be given a
significantly more efficient and effective design than is possible
with any other material that is equally durable in all directions –
such as metal. This, in turn, allows further reductions in terms of
both material use and weight, leading to another new wave of savings
potential. The lower accelerated mass in the event of a crash means
that energy-absorbing structures can be scaled back, cutting the
weight of the vehicle.
LifeDrive architecture – conceived to maximize occupant
protection.
The development of the LifeDrive architecture and the
version of it used for the BMW i8 incorporated the latest knowledge
from safety and accident research and the requirements of
international crash test procedures. The high-strength passenger
compartment teams up with the intelligent distribution of forces
within the LifeDrive module to provide the cornerstones for optimum
occupant protection. Even after the structurally debilitating offset
front crash with an impact speed of 64 km/h (40 mph), the extremely
rigid material used for the passenger cell maintains an intact
survival space for passengers. The crash-activated aluminum structures
at the front and rear end of the Drive module provide additional safety.
Impressive rigidity, combined with its ability to absorb an enormous
amount of energy, makes CFRP extremely damage-tolerant. Even at high
impact speeds it displays barely any deformation. As in a Formula One
cockpit, this exceptionally stiff material provides an extremely
strong survival space. Less body deformation occurs compared with
comparable steel bodies. Furthermore, the doors can be opened without
any problem and the interior remains largely free of intrusions.
Rescue scenarios were worked through and checked as part of the
development process. In standard cutting tests, the process of
rescuing occupants from a BMW i8 involved in an accident was, in
various scenarios, even more straightforward than that for
conventional vehicles. That is because body components made from CFRP
are lighter and can be more easily cut than high-strength steels, for example.
High safety reserves in a side-on impact.
The impressive safety
characteristics of CFRP also come to the fore in side impact
scenarios. Despite the heavy, in some cases concentrated forces, the
material barely sustains a dent, and passengers enjoy unbeatable
protection. All of which makes CFRP perfectly suited for use in a
vehicle’s flanks, where every centimeter of undamaged interior is
invaluable. However, there are limits to what CFRP can endure. If the
forces applied go beyond the limits of the material’s strength, the
composite of fiber breaks up into its individual components in a
controlled process.
In the Euro NCAP side impact test, in which a pole strikes the side
of the vehicle dead center at 32 km/h (20 mph), CFRP again
demonstrates its extraordinary energy-absorbing capacity. The
Life module absorbs the entire impact with minimal deformation,
guaranteeing optimum passenger protection.
The occupant protection concept is rounded off by standard safety
equipment – including electronically controlled restraint systems – of
the same high standard in terms of scope and effectiveness as that
featured in vehicles from all the BMW Group’s brands. Front airbags
and side airbags integrated into the seat backrests, plus head/curtain
airbags for both rows of seats, are all standard, as are three-point
inertia-reel seatbelts including belt stoppers, belt tensioners and
belt force limiters for all seats.
Optimum protection for the high-voltage battery.
Crash-active
aluminum structures in the front and rear sections of the vehicle
provide an impressive level of safety for the Drive module. In a front
or rear-end collision, these absorb a large proportion of the energy
generated. The battery, meanwhile, is mounted centrally in the
underbody section of the car to give it the best possible degree of
protection. Statistically, this is the area that absorbs the least
energy in the event of a crash, and the vehicle shows barely any
deformation here as a result.
The high-voltage system is designed to cope with accidents beyond the
legal requirements, with the high-voltage battery including features
that ensure its safe reaction even in situations such as this. The
latest series of tests conducted by the renowned DEKRA E-Mobility
Competence Center were extremely extensive – ranging from how a car
might catch fire, how the flames might spread and what would be
required to extinguish the fire, to the pollution caused by run-off of
the water used for fighting the fire. The experts concluded that
electric and hybrid cars with lithium-ion drive-system batteries are
just as safe as vehicles with conventional drive systems. To ensure
maximum safety in such a crash scenario, the high-voltage battery is
disconnected from the high-voltage system and the connected components
discharged when the passenger restraint systems are triggered.
Repair costs for the BMW i models are normal for their
class.
Tests by vehicle insurers and BMW Accident Research show
that accidents primarily result in minor damage. In around 90 percent
of all recorded accidents involving conventional vehicles, the damage
sustained is to the outer skin. The BMW i8 takes account of this and
is equipped with thermoplastic body panels.
If a section of the external skin needs to be replaced, this can be
carried out quickly and economically. Overall, the accident repair
costs are at a comparable level to those for conventional BMW models.
“Cold” repair methods for aluminum parts, time-saving repairs
for CFRP components.
Repairs to the aluminum structure of the Drive module (welded as
part of the series production process) are carried out using the
“cold” methods of bonding and riveting. These methods have been in use
successfully in BMW workshops since 2003.
The reparability of the Life module’s CFRP structure was already a
priority in the development of the vehicle concept; for example,
several repair stages were set out for the side frame. If a damaged
side sill needs to be replaced after a side impact, the workshop
carries out a visual inspection and damage assessment and then removes
only the section in need of repair using a patented milling tool. The
required side sill component is manufactured to fit and then installed
on the damaged vehicle. The new part is bonded to the separation
points using repair elements.
Any authorized BMW i dealer can repair the outer skin. However, due
to the product-specific features of the LifeDrive module, there will
be repair centers in which specialized employees take care of vehicles
with damage to the aluminum or CFRP structure.
Full-LED headlights offer bright, efficient illumination.
The
slim headlights of the BMW i8 team up with the BMW kidney grille to
form a horizontal unit emphasizing the car’s width. The plug-in hybrid
sports car is fitted with powerful and energy-efficient full-LED
headlights. In their lower section, the light sources are framed by a
U-shaped bar into which are integrated the daytime driving lights,
sidelights and direction indicators. The intricately designed rear
light clusters also feature the U-shape typical of BMW i cars. All of
the lights on the BMW i8 are LEDs as standard.
The BMW i8 is the world’s first series-produced vehicle to be
available as an option with innovative laser headlights in markets
where the regulations allow (they currently do not comply with US
regulations). They generate a pure-white, extremely bright light that
is pleasant to the eye. The light is created through the conversion of
the beams emitted by tiny laser diodes by means of a fluorescent
phosphor material inside the headlight.
Laser lighting is monochromatic, which means that the light waves all
have the same length. They also have a constant phase difference. As a
result, laser lighting can produce a near-parallel beam with
impressive luminance, which gives it an intensity a thousand times
greater than that of conventional LEDs. The beam can also be adjusted
extremely precisely. At the same time, the further optimized inherent
efficiency of laser lighting means that laser headlights have less
than half the energy consumption of even LED headlights, which are
already very efficient. Laser lighting generates approximately
170 lumens (a photometric unit of light output) per watt, whereas LED
lighting generates around 100 lumens per watt.
BMW ConnectedDrive and 360° ELECTRIC: Intelligent connectivity.
Innovative driver assistance systems and BMW ConnectedDrive mobility
services developed specially for BMW i serve to enhance the driving
pleasure available on board the BMW i8 and the car’s efficiency in
equal measure. Intelligent connectivity optimizes comfort, safety and
the use of infotainment features while on the move. It also helps the
driver to enjoy the performance attributes of the plug-in hybrid
sports car to the full, while at the same time keeping energy
consumption – in both gasoline and electric form – as low as possible.
BMW ConnectedDrive therefore effectively becomes an extension of the
Efficient Dynamics strategy. The variety of tools it offers to further
improve the balance between driving pleasure and energy consumption is
unique worldwide and makes an additional contribution to the
progressive character of the BMW i8.
Added to this, an extensive range of products and services from
360° ELECTRIC are available for the BMW i brand’s second
series-produced model. The 360° ELECTRIC portfolio focuses on home
charging, charging at public charging stations, keeping drivers on the
road and integration into innovative mobility concepts. As such it
promotes the comfortable, reliable and flexible utilization of
electric mobility. This package of features also helps to make maximum
use of the efficiency potential inherent in the vehicle concept and
drive system technology of the BMW i8. Maximizing the use of the
electric motor and feeding renewably generated electricity into the
high-voltage battery significantly improves the CO2 rating of the
plug-in hybrid sports car.
The BMW i8 is equipped as standard with an integrated SIM card which
provides the intelligent connectivity required to use the mobility
services from BMW ConnectedDrive. It also introduces navigation
services specially developed to enhance electric mobility – such as
the Range Assistant with dynamic range map – alongside familiar
features, including the Concierge Services information facility, the
Intelligent Emergency Call function and the Online Entertainment
music-on-demand service. Moreover, drivers can use the BMW i Remote
app to share information with their car at any time using their
smartphone. For example, they can use their phone to control the
charging process for the high-voltage battery and, while that is
happening, also oversee the advance preparation of the vehicle before
a journey.
Proactive drivetrain management ensures maximum efficiency and an
optimum electric driving experience.
Like the vehicle concept –
which offers an optimum platform for the broad-spread application of
lightweight construction and optimized aerodynamic properties – and
the BMW i8’s drive system technology, intelligent energy management
also plays its part in imbuing the car with its outstanding levels of
efficiency. This function controls the interplay between the
combustion engine and electric motor with the aim of optimizing the
balance between driving pleasure and fuel consumption in everyday use.
This allows the BMW i8 to combine the performance of a pure-bred
sports car with small car-like fuel consumption and emissions. A
bespoke display and control concept and the link-up between the
driver, car and outside world provided by BMW ConnectedDrive bolster
the efficiency-enhancing effect of the energy management system. At
the same time, they make the targeted management of energy flows in
the BMW i8 something the driver can experience in considerable depth.
The specially adapted version of the fully digital instrument display
fitted in the BMW i8 shows the car’s speed and driving status
information in a format and color selected to suit the driving mode
currently engaged. SPORT mode brings traditional circular instruments
for speed and rpm readouts. In COMFORT mode a “power meter” display
replaces the rev counter to keep the driver up to speed on what the
electric motor is up to, while ECO PRO mode adds an efficiency
display, which encourages drivers to maximize fuel efficiency through
their use of the accelerator.
The standard Navigation system links up with a version of the
proactive drivetrain management system likewise specially developed
for the BMW i8. When the route guidance function is activated, the
drivetrain management is configured to ensure the electric motor is
employed as extensively as possible and as wisely as possible from an
efficiency point of view. The system analyses the route in full and
sets up the drivetrain management, including energy recuperation
strategy, to run on purely electric power over low-speed sections of
the journey in particular. In so doing it ensures, for example, that
the battery has sufficient capacity to cover the final stage of a
longer journey through a built-up area in all-electric mode.
The performance characteristics of the electric motor and the
capacity of the high-voltage battery have been set up to allow BMW i8
drivers to meet their urban mobility needs on electric power alone.
Special displays in the instrument cluster keep the driver permanently
informed of the remaining range (in kilometers) in all-electric
driving mode. The map display function of the Navigation system also
contains a dynamic range display which uses a spidergram (range map)
to show the area the car can cover on electric power alone. The map
view also displays the location of public charging stations, allowing
drivers to plan their journeys to incorporate a stop-off to charge the
high-voltage battery. This means that additional battery capacity is
then available for the remainder of the journey, which can either be
used to continue the journey emission-free or to maximize the car’s
dynamic performance by using the electric motor and combustion engine
in tandem.
An all-round solution providing intelligent connectivity: the driver
assistance package from BMW ConnectedDrive.
As well as the
Navigation system, standard specification for the BMW i8 also features
a cruise control system with braking function, a rain sensor including
automatic headlight activation, and Park Distance Control (PDC) with
sensors at the front and rear of the car. The BMW ConnectedDrive
driver assistance package available as an option comprises High Beam
Assistant, a rear view camera, Surround View, Speed Limit Info
including No Passing Info display, and Collision Warning with
pedestrian recognition and braking function.
The standard full-LED headlights of the BMW i8 also feature daytime
running light and cornering light functions, the latter illuminating
the section of road the car is turning into. High Beam Assistant also
helps to optimize visibility during the hours of darkness by assisting
the driver in making maximum possible use of the high-beam headlights.
The system uses a camera positioned on the windscreen near the
rear-view mirror to detect oncoming traffic and vehicles travelling
ahead to ensure the headlights dip in good time.
Meanwhile, the BMW i8 adds a rear-view camera and the Surround View
system to PDC to ensure safe and comfortable maneuvering. In addition
to the rear view camera and the PDC sensors, the Surround View system
also uses two cameras in the wing mirrors to go about its work. The
data it collects is processed by a central computer which generates an
overall view of the car and the area around it. This is then shown in
the Control Display from a bird’s-eye perspective. The additional Side
View system uses a pair of cameras mounted in the front of the car to
ensure the driver is able to spot cross-traffic early – for example,
when pulling out from tight gateways.
The Speed Limit Info system displays speed and passing restrictions
on the car’s current route. It also sources the information it
requires from the windshield-mounted camera and checks it against the
data from the navigation system. The camera identifies traffic signs
at the edge of the road and overhead signs on motorways. Safety in
city traffic is further enhanced by Collision Warning with braking
function and pedestrian recognition. This system can be used at speeds
of up to 60 km/h (37 mph) and initially generates a visual warning in
the instrument cluster if there is a danger of collision. If this is
not heeded, an urgent warning then prompts the driver to intervene
with a flashing version of the symbol and an audible signal. At the
same time, the brakes are applied.
The BMW i8 also offers the driver the services of the
BMW Head-Up Display which projects important driving data onto the
windshield. Information including the car’s speed, status alerts from
the driver assistance systems, Check Control messages, speed limits
and overtaking restrictions can all be displayed in the driver’s
direct field of vision.
The ConnectedDrive Services opens up an array of internet-based
services to the driver. These include access to the BMW Online portal,
the Online Entertainment features and the use of apps for further
comfort and infotainment functions. The Real Time Traffic Information
system delivers precise traffic congestion warnings and detour
recommendations in real time.
360° ELECTRIC: emission-free driving in unbeatable comfort.
The
BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car always achieves top marks for
efficiency when it starts a journey with its high-voltage battery
fully charged. For customers who have the use of a garage or private
parking space, BMW i offers bespoke solutions under 360° ELECTRIC
which enable the battery pack to be charged at home or at work safely,
simply and extremely quickly.
BMW i provides owners with a charging cable to plug into a standard
110 v power outlet and a special charging point (the BMW i Charging
Station). As well as supplying and installing the Charging Station,
BMW i also checks its installation in customers’ homes and provides
maintenance, advice and other services. Plugging the car into a
standard 110 v power outlet returns the empty high-voltage battery to
full charge in 3.5 hours, while using the BMW i Charging Station
completes the process in 1.5 hours.
The charging process can be monitored on a graphic display in the
instrument cluster of the BMW i8, as well as via the BMW i Remote app
on a smartphone. The driver can view the current battery charge level
and the electric range possible (in kilometers) with the available
energy capacity. Charging can be initiated either immediately or at a
later time – in order to make use of off-peak electricity rates at
night, for example. Added to which, charging the battery from the BMW
i Charging Station allows the passenger compartment to be prepared in
advance for an upcoming journey so that the driver and passengers are
greeted by a pleasant onboard temperature without having to use energy
from the high-voltage battery to heat or cool the interior.
Its 360° ELECTRIC initiative also sees BMW i backing the use of
electricity from renewable sources in other ways, and the brand has
joined forces with selected partners to offer a choice of green power
solutions in all markets. A strategic alliance between BMW AG and
German eco power supplier naturstrom AG will in future give customers
in Germany the opportunity to obtain an eco power package for running
their BMW i vehicle. The company supplies electricity entirely from
renewable sources, with a very high proportion coming from wind power.
This means the high-voltage battery of the BMW i8 can be supplied with
energy generated with zero CO2 output.
Thanks to collaboration with car park operators and public charging
station providers, BMW i also grants customers highly reliable access
to the public charging infrastructure. Together with its partners, BMW
i assists the link-up between the vehicle, the driver and the outside
world, providing users with comfort-enhancing features – such as the
display of available charging stations in the navigation system and on
the customer’s smartphone, as well as a simple and transparent payment
method with the ChargeNow card. This card enables access to charging
poles operated by various providers and offers a cashless means of payment.
The 2014 BMW i8 will arrive in US showrooms in spring of 2014 with a
base Manufcturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $135,700 plus destination
and handling. 285 BMW Dealers across 315 locations will offer the BMW i8.
BMW i8 Preliminary Technical Data
Body |
|
|
|
|
No. of doors/seats | | | | 2 / 4 |
Length/width/height
(unladen) | Mm
(in) | | | 4689
(184.6) / 1942 (76.5) / 1293 (51) |
Wheelbase | Mm (in) | | | 2800 (110.2) |
Weight, unladen (DIN) | Kg (lb) | | | < 1490 (3285 lb) |
Air resistance | Cd | | | 0.26 |
| | | | |
Drive system | | | | |
Technology combustion
engine | | | | BMW TwinPower Turbo technology:
turbocharger, High Precision Direct Gasoline Injection,
VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control |
Config/No of
cyls/valves | | | | In-line
/ 3 / 4 |
Capacity, effective | cm3 | | | 1499 |
Output | kW/hp | | | 170 / 228 |
Torque | Nm (lb-ft) | | | 320 (236) |
Technology electric
motor | | | | BMW eDrive technology: hybrid synchronous
motor with power electronics, integrated charging module and
generator mode for recuperation |
Output | kW/hp | | | 96 / 129 |
Torque | Nm (lb-ft) | | | 250 (184 lb-ft) |
Total system output | kW/hp | | | 266 / 362 |
Torque | Nm (lb-ft) | | | 570 (420) |
| | | | |
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 |
Tires front/rear | | | | 195/50 R20 / 215/45 R20 |
Wheels 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 0–60
mph | s | | | 4.2 |
80–120
km/h | s | | | 4.5 |
Top speed | km/h (mph) | | | 250 (155) |
Top speed electric | km/h (mph) | | | 120 (75) |
Range electric | Km (miles) | | | approx 35 (22) |
| | | | |
Consumption in EU
cycle | | | | |
Combined | ltr/100 km (mpg) | | | 2.5 (94) |
CO2 | g/km | | | 59 |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
All Technical data are provisional and based on EU measures.
BMW Group In America
BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since
1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in
2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include
marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW
brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and
the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, a strategic
design consultancy in California; a technology office in Silicon
Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW
Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group’s global
manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all
X5 and X3 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sports Activity Coupes. The
BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through
networks of 338 BMW passenger car and BMW Sports Activity Vehicle
centers, 139 BMW motorcycle retailers, 119 MINI passenger car dealers,
and 34 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW
Group’s sales headquarters for North America, is located in Woodcliff
Lake, New Jersey.
Information about BMW Group products is available to consumers via
the Internet at: www.bmwgroupna.com
# # #
Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its
products in the USA is available to journalists on-line at www.bmwgroupusanews.com and
www.press.bmwna.com.
# # #