BMW revealed its planned flagship offering, the i8 Concept, at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show to complete its all-new i-range of eco cars.
Since then, it appears that BMW has made a few minor tweaks to the numbers previously provided about the cars, at least according to U.K. outfit Car, which says it has now confirmed the production specs for the upcoming eco-minded supercar.
The i8 employs an innovative plug-in hybrid drivetrain, featuring the same 170 horsepower electric motor found in the i3 at its front axle, but with the addition of a 223 horsepower (up from 220 at Frankfurt), 295 lb-ft of torque (up from 221 at Frankfurt) 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder at the rear. The two power plants are connected via an “energy tunnelâ€, which also houses the i8’s battery pack. According to the magazine, that puts total combined output at 393 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque.
With the combined power pulsing to all four wheels, the i8 is capable of accelerating from 0-62 miles per hour in 4.9 seconds. Unlike many EVs which use a single-speed transmission, the i8 uses a four-speed automatic transmission.
Despite the brisk performance, the magazine says that the i8 returns 104.2 miles per gallon on the more lenient European test cycle. Previously, BMW suggested the i8 would return 94 mpg imperial on the combined cycle. For trips up to 20 miles, the i8 is capable of traveling on electric power alone.
The i8’s performance is aided by its LifeDrive architecture, which puts a heavy emphasis on lightweight materials. The low placement of the plug-in’s battery along with a perfect 50/50 weight distribution should ensure the i8 lives up to BMW’s reputation as the ultimate driving machine.
Although most supercars only offer seating for two, the i8 uses a 2+2 seating configuration. However, BMW says the i8’s cabin is driver-focused and is designed to “immerse the driver fully in the unique driving experience.â€
Look for the i8 to hit BMW showrooms in 2014 with a European starting price of over 100,000 euros, and over $100,000 in the U.S.
Live photos by Mark Elias.
