While the i3 is an everyday city car - albeit a very sophisticated one at that, the second member of BMW’s new i series that made its way to Frankfurt is an altogether different concept. Derived from the 2009 Vision EfficientDynamics study, the futuristic-looking i8 will enter production in 2013.
Hiding under the lightweight CFRP for skin is an extended range hybrid drivetrain comprising of a front-mounted electric motor sourced from the i3 and a rear-mounted 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder petrol unit. The gasoline unit drives the rear wheels through a dual clutch transmission, while the electric motor uses a twin-speed transmission to turn the front wheels.
Combined maximum output of the two drive systems is 349HP and 550 Nm (405.6 lb-ft) of torque, which makes it more powerful than the previous-generation M3. The sprint to 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) takes just 4.6 seconds and top speed is electronically limited at 250 km/h (155 mph).
According to BMW, the 2+2-seater i8 returns an average fuel consumption of just 2.7 lt/100 km (87mpg US).
It seemed like every carmaker present at the Frankfurt Motor Show was focused on demonstrating its commitment to saving the world by the grace of small electric or hybrid city cars. BMW was no different, taking the opportunity to publicly unveil the i3 electric city car and i8 plug-in hybrid sports car concepts.
BMW chairman Norbert Reithofer prefaced the cars’ arrival by showing off a BMW 1602e, which was specifically converted to electric drive for the 1972 Olympics. The battery-powered 1602e was used to accompany marathon runners during that year’s Olympic Games in Munich.
The i3 and i8, though, are far more modern. Their chassis are made from aluminum, and their passenger compartments from carbon fiber. By saving weight with these materials, BMW has managed to counteract the additional weight of batteries that usually makes electric cars so heavy.
While the cars themselves will be very energy efficient, producing the carbon fiber needed for them requires lots of energy. To offset that, all the carbon fiber for the i3 and i8 will be made at a Moses Lake, Washington, factory that is powered exclusively by a zero-emissions hydroelectric plant.
“With the BMW i family, we’re heading in a totally new direction — emission-free driving, cutting-edge materials, and sustainable production,” Reithofer said.
One other neat trick to cut power usage: the i8 concept is the first application of BMW’s new laser headlight system. The diode laser-based headlights apparently use just half the energy of modern LED headlights. They also allow light to be focused on specific areas as needed by the driver.
Though they are just concept cars for now, the BMW i3 and i8 will go on sale in late 2013 or early 2014.
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