BMW i8 – Page 2 – Automobiles Review

2014 World’s Greatest Drag Race

Motor Trend has once again presented us with their annual World’s Greatest Drag Race video. How can a person not love it when in the last video we can see 10 of the world’s most badass sports car and supercars gathered in one place?! That’s pretty freaking amazing! So prepare for a mixture of epic sound, speed and performance!

This year, the lineup shows off with some stunningly fast cars for sure. The group of ten is comprised of the following beauties: Porsche 911 Turbo S (560 HP), BMW i8 (357 HP), BMW M4 (425 HP), Alfa Romeo 4C (237 HP), Ford Fiesta ST (197 HP), Jaguar F-Type R Coupe (550 HP), Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 (505 HP), Nissan GT-R NISMO (600 HP), Volkswagen GTI (217 HP) and Subaru WRX STI (305 HP). Well, well, give me one of those head-scratchers for a day and I will be more than glad to take the keys.

Predictable as it may be, the ¼ mile drag race is firstly blasted-off by the all-wheel-drive and turbocharged duo of Porche 911, followed closely by Nissan GT-R NISMO. So take out and wave the 911 flag and still congratulate Nissan fans for the great performance of the GT-R NISMO.

The winner scores 10.9 second time at 126 mph which gains it the leading and winning place. Second comes the GT-R at 11.1 seconds and 125.3 mph. The third place is achieved by Jaguar at 11.8 seconds at 122.3 mph. The rest is as it follows: BMW M4 – 12.2 seconds at 117.8 mph; Camaro Z/28 – 12.3 seconds at 117.2 mph; BMW i8 – 12.4 seconds and 112.1 mph; Alfa Romeo 4C – 12.8 seconds at 104.8; Subaru – 13.1 seconds at 104.4 mph; Volkswagen – 14.5 seconds and 97.9 mph and, finally, Ford Fiesta ST with 14.9 seconds and 94.6 mph.

Click on the link to also enjoy the fun!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ9NVz_LKj8

Source: Motor Trend Channel YouTube

October 30, 2014

German Special Customs Previews the BMW i8 iTRON

BMW i8 is a plug-in-hybrid racer, powered by 1.5 litres of displacement spread across three cylinders that produce 231 hp (170 kW) and 320 Nm (236 lb-ft). There is also an electric motor which generates 131 hp (96 kW) PS and 250 Nm (185 lb-ft). The combination of both is enough for offering an output similar to this of a “real” sports car. In fact, the car can sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in only 4.4 seconds on its way to a top speed of 250 km/h. The fuel economy is stunning: 2.1 litres of gasoline per 100 kilometres.

BMW i8 has been available on the market for several months and now the customization specialists at German Special Customs have prepared some styling enhancements for it. At this particular moment, they offer only design drafts of the new look of the project called “iTRON”.

At first sight, GSC’s vehicle looks more aggressive and powerful. Some of the new features include distinctively shaped front spoiler bumper with large cooling air inlets, integrated LED daylight headlights and a spoiler sword with winglets, as well as air outlets integrated into the new motor cowl.

At the back we have exhaust end tubes. End-tube blinds aligned with the shapes of the i8 are integrated in the new rear apron, which also repeats the winglets of the side sills and visually leads on until behind the rear wheels. At last, the serial wheel/tyre combination has been substituted with much wider and with larger diameter.

Source: German Special Customs

October 10, 2014

BMW i8 Concours d’Elegance Edition – Auctioned for $825,000

2015 BMW i8 Concours d’Elegance Edition has been sold for the breath-taking $825,000 at auction held during 2014 Gooding & Company’s annual Pebble Beach Auctions. This is a world auction record price for a BMW i8. It actually equates around 6 times the recommended retail price of the model – $135,700.

The special edition model boasts BMW Individual Frozen Grey Metallic and a Dalbergia Brown leather upholstery. Other highlights include embossed headrests and of course “Concours d’Elegance Edition” badges.

2015 BMW i8 is powered by a 1.5 liter TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder engine, an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery. The overall power is 362HP (266 kW) and 570Nm (420 lb-ft), which is enough for acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) – electronically limited.

The fuel consumption is impressive – 2.1 liters / 100 km (134.5 mpg UK or 112 mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 49 g/km. The 2015 i8 can go up to 37 km (23 miles) only on electricity with zero emissions.

Source: BMW

August 19, 2014

BMW i8 Concours d’Elegance Edition To Be Auctioned At Pebble Beach

BMW i8 Concours d’Elegance Edition is going to be auctioned during the weekend of the 2014 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on 16th of August. This will happen just before the US sale date scheduled for the fall. What differentiates this BMW from the rest i8 is the unique paint scheme and interior treatment, and also the additional features included. This means that it will be truly unique. The car will be sold by Gooding & Company, which is the official auction house of the Pebble Beach Concours. All of the gathered proceeds will go to the Pebble Beach Company Foundation.

Precisely, this one-of-a-kind car is distinguished by its BMW Individual Frozen Grey Metallic exterior paint. Inside, there is also unique interior, which boasts Dalbergia Brown leather upholstery tanned via color derived from plant extracts. Highlights of the upholstery feature stitching in BMW i Blue. Furthermore, the Pure Impulse Tera World interior includes other accents in the same color such as the seat belts.

There is also an embossed BMW i8 on the front headrests. Other unique features include laser headlights, pending government approval, a BMW i8 Display key and the first BMW Charging Station, professional edition. “Concours d’Elegance Edition” i8 will be also embossed throughout the interior.

BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid vehicle which features an all-wheel drive powertrain that combines an electric motor driving the front wheels and 1.5-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder gasoline engine driving the rear wheels. The car can move only on electric power at speeds up to 75 mph for approximately 20 miles. And of course, in this mode it generates zero CO2 emissions.

When the gasoline engine works along with the electric motor, the i8 can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds on its way to a top speed of 155 mph. The vehicle was constructed with an extensive use of lightweight carbon fiber reinforced plastic. The lithium-ion battery pack can be charged from any 240-volt level 2 charging station as well as a conventional 110-volt outlet.

Another excusive technology featured in the BMW i8 Concours d’Elegance Edition is the laser headlights. They generate a pure-white and extremely bright light. It will also be the first BMW in the United States to include a display key which features an integrated LCD touch screen.

Source: BMW

July 29, 2014

BMW i8 – Innovative Technologies

BMW has published a nice promotional video of the incredible i8 hybrid sports car. It features a lot of Efficient Dynamics technologies, which aim to make the vehicle faster and more economical. Weight saving is one of the key characteristics, so the BMW i8 is able to combine dynamics and efficiency.

2014 BMW i8 is powered by a 1.5 liter three-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine – 231HP (170 kW) and 320Nm (236 lb-ft) powering the rear wheels and an electric motor – 131HP (96 kW) and 250Nm (184 lb-ft) on the front axle. The total output is 362HP (266 kW) and 570Nm (420 lb-ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h in less than 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

The i8 weighs just 1,490 kg (3,285 lbs). It is able to return 113 mpg UK or 94 mpg US – 2.5 liters / 100 km and a zero-emission range of 35 km (22 miles) with top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).

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 There are also 20” alloy wheels, a rear view camera, high beam assistant, speed limit info, Surround View, Head-Up Display and Collision Warning with pedestrian recognition.

Source: BMW

May 26, 2014

BMW i8 – Launch Campaign

BMW is going to launch global campaign for the new i8, this month. The manufacturer’s first plug-in hybrid is a visionary vehicle with outstanding design that redefines the concept of premium and sheer driving pleasure. The BMW i8 combines the performance of a sports car with the fuel economy of a small car and therefore represents the next stage of development in the BMW Efficient Dynamics philosophy.

“We deliberately decided on a campaign that tells of the genesis of the BMW i8 – a journey from the impossible to the possible. Visuals showcase the beauty and power of the BMW i8 in pure, genuine, intense images, which give the campaign greater, more iconic impact.”, commented Dr. Steven Althaus, head of BMW Brand Marketing and BMW Group Marketing Services.

BMW i8 is described as “The first of a new age”. The importance and innovation of the BMW i8 are also reflected in the selection of communications formats and content. Throughout, the campaign underlines that the sports car is reality, not just a vision. It provides a revolutionary and ground-breaking interpretation of BMW’s signature driving pleasure.

The German TV and online campaign will be accompanied by a number of additional measures. Print ads have been running in influential general interest magazines and national daily newspapers since late April. These will be supplemented by outdoor advertising in selected areas, such as the Humboldt Box in Berlin and the Odeonsplatz in Munich, with oversized posters, special building projections or video installations drawing public attention to the market launch of the BMW i8.

Source: BMW

May 14, 2014

BMW i8 Goes Into Production

BMW will put the 2015 i8 in production and first deliveries are expected sometime in June, this year. The sports hybrid car is already exceeding the planned production volume during ramp-up. Furthermore, the specifications of BMW i8 are improved.

The drivetrain includes a 1.5 liter TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder engine, an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery. The overall power is 362HP (266 kW) and 570Nm (420 lb-ft), which is enough for acceleration from 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph) – electronically limited.

The fuel consumption is sensational – 2.1 l / 100 km (134.5 mpg UK or 112 mpg US with CO2 emissions of 49 g/km. What is more, the 2015 i8 can go up to 37 km (23 miles) only on electricity with zero emissions.

The curb weight of the vehicle is extremely low, too considering the electric motor and the battery pack – 1,485 kg and a drag coefficient (Cd) for a sports car of 0.26.

Last, but not least are the optional BMW laser headlights scheduled for autumn 2014. The model will become the world’s first production car to offer this innovative lighting technology. BMW laser headlights are around 30 % more energy-efficient than the BMW i8’s standard LED headlights and provide considerably more powerful road illumination, with a range of up to 600 metres. Highly concentrated beams of light from high-performance laser diodes act on a fluorescent phosphor material inside the headlight, which projects a sharply focused beam of light onto the road. The laser headlights produce a light similar to natural daylight and are therefore always easy on the eye.

Source: BMW

March 11, 2014

LUMMA Design Introduces Two BMW CLR I Design Concepts

Behind the capitals CLR I the tuners at LUMMA Design have hidden two design studies, which are based on recently released BMW hybrid models. Precisely we are speaking here about the I8 Sports Car and I3 Electric Vehicle.

Although the production design of the models is pretty impressive already, what LUMMA has to offer is also worth reviewing. First of all, the LUMMA CLR I8 Concept is based on the BMW i8 and it is envisioned to include high-tech material carbon. It will be utilized for the front spoiler, side skirts and rear bumper with diffuser.

Completely different here, in comparison to the original I8, are the specially designed wheels and a tailor made stickers. They both feature accents in green that additionally underline the sporty character of the vehicle.

The second tuning program is prepared for the I3. LUMMA CLR I3 Concept comprises of a front spoiler lip, a specially designed hood and side skirts, which are all made of high-strength and ultra-light carbon. What rounds out the sporty appearance of the model is the wheel set in the design of the LUMMA CLR 22.

Source: LUMMA Design

January 30, 2014

BMW i8 Spyder [render]

Theophiluschin has published several render pictures of BMW i8 Spyder. After the revealing of the i8 Coupe, which make astonishing impression at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, we expect a convertible version of BMW’s supersport car.

The powertrain will be the same – a 1.5 liter three-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine – 231HP (170 kW) and 320Nm (236 lb-ft) powering the rear wheels and an electric motor – 131HP (96 kW) and 250Nm (184 lb-ft) on the front axle. The total output is 362HP (266 kW) and 570Nm (420 lb-ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h in less than 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

It is able to return 113 mpg UK or 94 mpg US – 2.5 liters / 100 km and a zero-emission range of 35 km (22 miles) with top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).

September 16, 2013

2013 Frankfurt International Motor Show: 2014 BMW i8

BMW has unveiled the production ready 2014 i8 super car at the 2013 IAA in Frankfurt. This is the first plug-in hybrid vehicle from the BMW Group and world’s most forward-looking sports car. It features the revolutionary interpretation of BMW’s hallmark driving pleasure and groundbreaking premium character clearly defined in terms of sustainability.

2014 BMW i8 is powered by a 1.5 liter three-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine – 231HP (170 kW) and 320Nm (236 lb-ft) powering the rear wheels and an electric motor – 131HP (96 kW) and 250Nm (184 lb-ft) on the front axle. The total output is 362HP (266 kW) and 570Nm (420 lb-ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h in less than 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

The i8 weighs just 1,490 kg (3,285 lbs). It is able to return 113 mpg UK or 94 mpg US – 2.5 liters / 100 km and a zero-emission range of 35 km (22 miles) with top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).

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 There are also 20” alloy wheels, a rear view camera, high beam assistant, speed limit info, Surround View, Head-Up Display and Collision Warning with pedestrian recognition.

Source: BMW

September 10, 2013

2014 BMW i8 [first photos]

Here are the first two official photos of the production-ready 2014 BMW i8. The supercar will make its official debut at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, next week. Immediately after the manufacturer has released a video teaser, the first two official pictures of the car have surfaced.

The scissor doors make a big impression, but the interior is a lot like the current BMW models. There are digital instrument clusters and a blue circle around the logo on the steering wheel.

2014 BMW i8 is powered by a 1.5 liter three-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine – 231HP (170 kW) and 320Nm (236 lb-ft) powering the rear wheels and an electric motor – 131HP (96 kW) and 250Nm (184 lb-ft) on the front axle. The total output is 362HP (266 kW) and 570Nm (420 lb-ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h in less than 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

The i8 weighs just 1,490 kg (3,285 lbs). It is able to return 113 mpg UK – 2.5 liters / 100 km and a zero-emission range of 35 km (22 miles) with top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).

Source:Autowp

September 4, 2013

2014 BMW i8 [video teaser]

BMW has published a teaser video clip of the upcoming i8 supercar. The manufacturer has recently revealed the i3 and now it is turn to i8. BMW i8 Concept was introduced back in 2011 and we didn’t expect it to reach production, but the manufacturer obviously has something different in mind.

The 2014 i8 will be the second supercar of BMW since the M1, which was built in 1978 with the cooperation of Lamborghini.

2014 BMW i8 is powered by a 1.5 liter three-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine – 231HP (170 kW) and 320Nm (236 lb-ft) powering the rear wheels and an electric motor – 131HP (96 kW) and 250Nm (184 lb-ft) on the front axle. The total output is 362HP (266 kW) and 570Nm (420 lb-ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h in less than 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).

As you know, BMW are not obsessed with horsepower, but the balance is extremely important. The i8 weighs just 1,490 kg (3,285 lbs), so it is expected to be superfast not only in straight line, but on the racetrack, too. Furthermore, the supercar is expected to return 113 mpg UK – 2.5 liters / 100 km and a zero-emission range of 35 km (22 miles) with top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).

Stay tuned!
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5kX6UFOCWY

Source: BMW

September 2, 2013

Tag: BMW i8