The new BMW i8 is an all-new hybrid supercar with a plug-in electric motor as well as a 1.5-litre petrol engine. The main aim of the BMW i8 is to be a high-performance car that can still manage low emissions and high fuel economy.
Although the BMW i8 is technically a four-seater car, the back seats look very small and will likely only be suitable for very short journeys or very small passengers. It will rival the Porsche 911 and Audi R8, but is far removed from its smaller brother, the BMW i3 city car, which goes on sale tomorrow (16 November). Read on for everything you need to know about the BMW i8 plug-in supercar.
BMW i8 price and release date
The revolutionary BMW i8 hybrid supercar, which blends huge performance with extremely impressive economy, will cost from £99,845 when it goes on sale in the UK from July. Orders for the BMW i8 are currently being taken and 100 customers have already placed deposits.
A convertible version called the BMW i8 Spyder is also on the cards and is expected later in 2014.
BMW i8 2013 specs
An electric motor with 129bhp is used in the BMW i8 to power the front wheels, with a 228bhp 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine powering the rear wheels. That's not considered a lot for a supercar but the lightweight construction means that the i8 goes from 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds and can go on to a top speed of 155mph. However, the real talking point is that it manages to do this while also being capable of 113mpg and road-tax busting emissions of just 59g/km.
By way of comparison, The BMW M6 coupe (which costs roughly the same as the BMW i8) is only slightly quicker from 0-62mph, but will struggle to do more than around 28mpg thanks to its powerful and uneconomical V8 petrol engine.
BMW i8 dealers
The i8 will be sold alongside the BMW i3, via a new network of special i dealers. Currently just 46 of BMW's 153 showrooms will be authorised to sell and service the i8.
BMW UK managing director Tim Abbott said: “Our BMW i dealerships are located in the areas of the UK with the highest concentrations of population.”
The dealers are across the whole of the country, from BMW Park Lane in London to Westerly Exeter and Williams Liverpool. Showrooms in Aberdeen, Bristol and Jersey will also sell the i range.
Future BMW electric cars
The new BMW i brand is expected to expand into other types of car in the future, and will develop alongside the firm's traditional petrol and diesel-powered cars.
Ian Robertson, BMW Global head of sales and marketing, said: "I'm sure some of the technology from the i8 will wash back into our other cars." That means we could see a BMW i4 saloon car with hybrid or electric power, and even an electric version of the BMW X5 SUV.
