News: BMW i8. Sportsmanship Efficient

If anything characterizes the BMW i8, is by the use of lightweight materials like plastic carbon fiber reinforced (CFRP), with which it has a weight of only 1,480 kg. The damping and 20-inch wheels are aluminum to contribute to the overall lightness. Regarding dimensions, measured i8 ... 4.69 meters in length but only 1.29 m high. In any case, it is sufficient to adopt a configuration of 2 +2 seats inside, and to present a profile body with its aerodynamic ratio is extremely low: 0.26 Cx. Another of the most striking elements from outside doors are opening vertically, which is possible precisely by the use of CFRP.

Facing the i3 architecture, who chooses a range-extended-mechanical combustion engine generates electricity when the batteries are depleted, BMW has chosen the i8 is a hybrid plug. That is, the combustion engine serves to propel the vehicle directly, and can be combined with the small electric motor which also counts.

The i8's combustion engine is a 1.5 three-cylinder gasoline direct-injection ... but thanks to the turbocharger, comes to deliver 231 hp and a maximum torque of 320 Nm. This is located next to the rear axle, and associated with a gearbox six-speed automatic. Simultaneously, the electric motor mounted on the front. The i8 can travel up to 35 miles solely by running this engine, an operating mode which reaches 120 km / h. Its battery takes three hours to charge into a wall of 10 amps and 230 volts, but BMW offers the possibility of installing a 16 amp iWallbox decision, with which the time is reduced to two hours. Thanks to both mechanical, the BMW i8 shows an average consumption of 2.5 liters per 100 km and emissions of 59 grams of CO2 per kilometer. Together, delivering 362 hp and 570 Nm. This, of course, attached to a system for recovering energy during deceleration.
The i8 has a system named as 'BMW Driving Experience Control', which offers four modes: eDrive mode is one in which the vehicle only works with the electric motor, the EcoPro is designed to maximize energy and get the greatest possible autonomy-up to 500 km, by controlling elements such as HVAC, heated seats, Comfort mode prioritizes passenger comfort, while the Sport gets faster throttle response, transmission, etc. .
The i8 will go on sale in the second half of 2014. It is expected that the prices in Spain exceeds 100,000. Something not too concerned BMW, for whom the main market of the i8 will be the U.S., followed by the UK, France and Germany.