The BMW i8 is a modern-day 6-series that defies numerous conventions. Unlike its sister car from BMW's new 'i' eco sub-brand it is not all-electric - mounted in the back there's also a 220hp 1.5-litre three-pot turbo. Up front, however, is the 170hp electric motor from the i3. Powered by lithium ion batteries with two-hour plug-in recharge capability the i8 boasts a 20-mile electric-only range. The engine then takes over, Chevrolet Volt range-extender style, but, more importantly, combines with the electric motor to provide eye-opening performance. Such as 0-62mph in under five seconds and a top speed capped to 155mph. It's four-wheel drive too, remember.
The real head-spinner is fuel economy. BMW says this will return more than 94mpg, despite all that performance. Even handling has promise because BMW has retained its 50:50 weight distribution and, thanks to batteries mounted in the central tunnel, also engineered in a low centre of gravity. It looks absolutely fantastic. There are no BMW design oddities here - the see-through bits are to show off the LifeDrive construction and will be toned down for production. LifeDrive means, as with the i3, a rigid lower drive module onto which the pioneering carbon fibre reinforced plastic 'life module' is attached.
The headline fact is that it's coming to a showroom virtually as we see it here: the i3 will be launched in 2013 and BMW says the i8 will follow
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