BMW i8

Did you know that the BMW i8 is the world's best-selling plug-in hybrid sports car? This model has been sold in over 20,000 examples, but more importantly, it has brought some interesting design solutions to the industry. 

Aside from its hybrid-electric powertrain, the BMW i8 is famous for its untypical chassis design and reinforced glass surfaces, among some of its innovations. It is also the first production car to feature laser headlights.

The i8 was discontinued last year, but car enthusiasts are well aware of its importance. It's not just a cool-looking sports car; it is one of the pioneers of hybrid technology in the supercar segment. That's why we have no doubt it will become a collector's item in a few years.

The First Generation of BMW i8 (2014-2020)

BMW introduced the first and only generation of the BMW i8 roadster in 2014, but its development started years before. 

The first concept version was introduced way back in 2009 as the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics. This model already featured a combined 1.5-litre petrol engine and electric motor, which would later become the core of this sports car.

Just two years later, the BMW i8 Concept was presented at the 2011 International Motor Show Germany in Munich. The BMW i8 Concept Spyder was introduced in 2012, while the prototype was already ready as early as 2013. The production model debuted the same year, while the first deliveries started in June 2014.

Deliveries in Australia started in March 2015. The BMW i8 price in Australia was $299,000. If you’re interested about used BMW i8 for sale, you can find them for around $110,000 for the 2015 model year.

The Design Innovations that the BMW i8 Pioneered 

The BMW i8 is an exciting car in so many ways. Not only that it features a plug-in hybrid setup, but it has incorporated so many other interesting design solutions in one vehicle. Let’s check them one by one:

• Body on frame – it rides on a body-on-frame platform, design that has long been forgotten among cars and now only remains in pickup trucks and off-road SUVs. 
• Backbone-style chassis – features a rigid centre structure, which BMW calls backbone-style chassis. Such a design provides plenty of space for the batteries.
• Low centre of gravity and 50:50 weight distribution – the backbone chassis lowers the centre of gravity and balances weight distribution
• 0.26 drag coefficients in the industry (0.26) – one of the lowest C_d in the industry
• Carbon fibre reinforced plastic chassis and thermoplastic body panels – makes the i8 body extremely light 
• Uses Gorilla glass – it is the first production car to feature the chemically hardened (Gorilla) glass, which is damage-resistant, thin, and lightweight. 
• Other notable features and design solutions – it’s also worth mentioning that it combined butterfly doors, head-up display, and augmented engine noise.

Dimensions of the BMW i8

• Wheelbase: 2800mm
• Height: 1291mm
• Length: 4689mm
• Width: 1942mm
• Ground clearance: 117mm
• Weight: 1485kg
• Turning circle: 12.3m
• Rear track: 1721mm
• Front track: 1644mm

Engine, Drivetrain & Performance

The BMW i8 features an impressive powertrain setup. A small 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine serves as the basis, pretty much the same engine found in several MINI models. 

The engine is rated at 170kW and 320Nm of torque and comes coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission from Aisin, which sends power to the rear wheels.

On the other hand, the electric power comes from an electric motor mounted on the front axle, which features a max output of 96kW and 250Nm. 

So, the combined output goes around 266kW and 570Nm of torque. Such an output is enough to provide 0-100 sprints in about 4.4 seconds and attain an electronically limited maximum speed of 250 km/h.

The battery features a max capacity of 7.1 kWh, of which 5.7 kWh is usable. The max range in the all-electric mode is around 37 km, according to the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC).

Is the BMW i8 FWD or RWD?

One fascinating thing about the i8 is that you can drive it in three modes, namely, FWD, RWD, and AWD. 

• FWD – the all-electric mode allows 37 kilometres of range with a top speed of 120 km/h as an FWD car. 
• RWD – using petrol power only, you have an RWD car. 
• AWD – in the full hybrid mode, it drives as AWD, with the electric motor powering the front wheels and the petrol engine powering the rear wheels.

Is the BMW i8 fuel efficient? 

According to the NEDC, the average fuel consumption of the i8 is 2.1L/100km, which makes it an exceptionally fuel-efficient vehicle. To put that in context, a fuel economy of less than 6L/100km is considered pretty efficient.

Is the BMW i8 ULEV?

The BMW i8 emits 49 g of CO₂/km out of its tailpipe, making it an ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV). According to SMMT, vehicles with carbon emissions less than 75g/km are considered ULEVs.

BMW i8 Specs

• Powertrain: Petrol/Electric
• Engine Capacity: 1499cc
  • Number of cylinders: T3
  • Fuel type: Premium Unleaded
  • Max Output: 170kW
  • Max Torque: 320Nm
  • Fuel tank capacity: 42L
• Electric Motor: Synchronous Electric Motor
  • Max Power: 96kW
  • Max Torque: 250Nm
  • Battery Capacity: 7.1kWh (5.7kWh usable)
• Max Combined Output: 266kW
• Max Combined Torque: 570Nm
• Maximum torque: 570Nm
• Maximum power: 266kW
• Acceleration (0-100km/h): 4.4s
• Top Speed: 250km/h

BMW i8 2018 Update

The 2018 update has brought a couple of interesting novelties, which are: 

• Bigger battery – the most important update is the increased capacity of 11.6 kWh, which has brought an increased all-electric range to 55 km. 
• More powerful motor – we also saw a slightly increased electric motor power, tuned up to 105 kW, while the combined output went up to 275 kW.

BMW i8 Roadster

The 2018 update has brought another big novelty, a roadster version of the i8. Compared to the standard coupe version, the roadster was slightly heavier, which resulted in slightly weaker acceleration (4.6 seconds). 

It features a two-piece roof, which folds at the back where the rear seats would have been. So, unlike the coupe version, which features four seats, the BMW i8 Roadster is a two-seater.

Special Edition – BMW i8 Protonic Red

In 2016, the Bavarian carmaker presented a special edition of the i8 at the Geneva Motor Show. This model was called the BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition, and it came with lots of unique styling details. 

The exterior was painted in Protonic Red finish, in combination with some Frozen Grey Metallic accents. Also, the wheels were painted in Orbit Grey metallic, with Aluminium matte hubs. Curiously, this version uses different-size tyres - 215/45 R20 at the front and 245/40 R20 rear.

A few upgrades were introduced on the inside as well. Several areas were wrapped with high-grade carbon fibre and ceramic, while the seats were upgraded with double red stitching.

End of Production and Sales Numbers

The production officially ended in 2020, with BMW i8 sales estimated to be 20,000 units sold globally. About 155 of this number went to Australian buyers.

Does the i8 charge while driving?

Plug-in hybrids usually can't be charged while driving, but that's not the case with the BMW i8. You can charge the battery by plugging a cable, but you can also charge it while driving when the battery is empty. 

In that case, you can select the Sport drive mode, and the petrol engine will start charging the battery. However, you can charge only 75% of the battery this way and the engine will use more fuel. In practice, that means lower fuel economy, reduced overall range, and higher overall costs of running.

Is it worth buying a used BMW i8?

Well, there are a few reasons why you should consider buying a used BMW i8, and one of them is the price, which usually starts at around $100,000 for the 2015 model year. That's notably lower than the price when new and, more importantly, most classmates are more expensive. 

At the same time, the i8 features a six-year-old design, which means we are talking about a quite modern design, even by today's standards. Eventually, this car will be fun to drive, providing you a great overall driving experience.

One more thing, and I’m projecting here. While the i8 will continue to depreciate in the next few years, I believe that soon enough, it will become a collectors' item, which in practice means appreciation.

If you want to sell your i8, you can advertise it for sale on our website and get more interested buyers. To have it listed, you can start here.

By Nebojsa Grmusa