BMW i8 engine size. BMW i8 is a new generation hybrid car. Video review of the BMW i8 from the “Big Test Drive”
In 2009, the German automobile concern BMW presented the public with the Vision Efficient Dynamics concept, equipped with a diesel engine combined with 2 electric motors. The follower was the i8, which began to be designed in 2010. This car is very different from the BMW 1 Series, released in 2007, and from other BMW cars.
- It's all here .
BMW i8 exterior
The photo shows laser headlights hitting 600 meters
A car in the back of a Berlinetta (a type of coupe) is both sporty and quite unusual. Traditionally, the car is distinguished by large “nostrils”, and along their edges there are dual, rectangular headlights along with side lights operating on an LED basis. The striking bumper is emphasized by carbon fiber air ducts. The hood is highlighted by a signature wave, which is hidden in the air intake and has a carbon coating similar to that of the bumper air ducts. On the other hand, the wave is directed to the windshield pillars, and then to the rear-view mirrors.
The car's profile is emphasized by aerodynamic lines, air intakes and air ducts. And if a panoramic roof won’t surprise anyone now, then transparent body parts and doors can. Car doors, made of high-strength plastic, have rotating mechanisms, thanks to which they open upward. This complements the already modern, futuristic styling and makes the coupe appear even sportier. The rear fenders increase the width of the car, and the wheel arches add massiveness to the sports unit.
The stern fits harmoniously into the style of the car and meets all its requirements. Particularly striking are the lanterns, which are 2-angular lines, and their edges go under the surface of the wings.
The BMW i8 spoiler is also quite original, which starts on the roof, then runs down the trunk lid and ends near the manufacturer's company badge. The vertical line of the spoiler and lights is located at the same level.
The wheels have a special aerodynamic design and are 21 inches in diameter. The rear body is almost entirely made of carbon fiber. The rear bumper is made of carbon fiber and is surrounded by an attractive blue frame. Inserts of this type are used throughout the body. The combination of silver, black and blue colors is currently the only car painting option.
Interior overview
The BMW i8 has an interior that is as stylish as its exterior design. It has a fairly large area and is trimmed mainly with polished carbon fiber, and everything else with plexiglass of excellent strength and transparent plastic. The instrument panel is represented by an electronic board, which becomes tinted when the ignition is turned off. Several air deflectors are placed around it, their baffles are covered in chrome, although the inside is completely black. Because of this, their different positions give a different visual impression.
The cabin can accommodate a maximum of 4 people, since there are 2 separate seats in the back and an armrest between them. The chairs are very comfortable, thanks to the anatomical profile. The seat backs of the BMW i8 are quite thin, which leaves even more space for rear passengers. Each seat is equipped with a seat belt with a pretensioner. To sit in the back seat, you won’t need to disturb the front passenger, because the door width is plenty wide enough for this, unless you have large body dimensions.
Technical specifications of the new BMW i8
This model is a hybrid, and under the hood of the car there is a gasoline power unit with a volume of 1.5 liters, which, when combined with an electric motor, is capable of producing 400 hp. The BMW i8 can accelerate to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. The maximum speed of the all-wheel drive BMW i8 is 250 km/h. The buyer will be able to choose one of 3 engine options: gasoline, electric, or a mixed version with two power units.
According to manufacturers, the model simply has no analogues in its class. This advantage is achieved thanks to a special turbine. Gasoline is supplied to its flow, which causes the combustible mixture to collect directly at the cylinder, which contributes to its uniform concentration. In addition, the engine is environmentally friendly and economical. Fuel consumption per 100 kilometers is 2.1 liters in the combined cycle, and electric motor consumption is 11.9 kWh/100 km. 66 grams of carbon dioxide are emitted per 1 km of travel, which is one of the best indicators among similar cars. The toxicity standard meets the Euro-6 standard.
Fuel tank capacity is 30 liters, with additional payment you can get 42 liters.
Since this model is a hybrid, the 50 km that the device travels on electric power does not emit any harmful gases into the air. To charge the battery you will need a 220 V network and 1 hour 45 minutes of time. Lithium-polymer batteries, which are located on the bottom, are recharged while the internal combustion engine is running. Thanks to them, the center of gravity is lowered, which makes handling even more efficient.
The length of the car is 4689 mm, width - 1942 mm, and height - 1293 mm. The curb weight of the car is 1485 kg, and the trunk volume of the BMW i8 is 154 liters.
The internal combustion engine has an automatic 6-speed gearbox. Paired with an electric motor is an automatic 2-speed gearbox.
Full passport details
It took engineers about 3 years to create this “eight”, which can be considered a record short period for the BMW Corporation. With all this, the BMW i8 is definitely the most complex production car that has ever rolled off the assembly line of this concern. And although it is hardly possible to predict a large-scale wave of sales (due to the price), the i8 is quite suitable as a model for subsequent models. Let's take a closer look at what sports car fans will have to face.
BMW i8 Exterior Review
In appearance, the car is clearly ahead of our time: this look, as a rule, is given to advanced concept cars or exclusive one-off supercars, but certainly not as a car for the “masses.” It is not easy to find a similar option with “aerodynamic” wings on which turn signals are successfully placed. The aerodynamic coefficient of the BMW i8 cannot but rejoice - its value is only 0.26! Even despite the installed side mirrors, glass wiper blades and without sealing the seams between the body panels.
Body. All contours of the car literally exude dynamism and elegance. Dimensions have the following values: length – 4689 mm; width – 1942 mm (with mirrors – 2039 mm); height – 1298 mm; wheelbase – 2800 mm; front overhang – 960 mm, rear – 929 mm; ground clearance - 117 mm. The door opening amplitude (up) is quite impressive. The weight of the car in the basic configuration is 1485 kg, which can be called an excellent indicator for a hybrid sports car.
Interior. The cabin will accommodate 4 passengers, although comfort will vary between the front and rear seats. In general, the rear seats are great for kids or travel bags. BMW i8 interior“maintains the traditions” of the exterior: the interior space is filled with futuristic objects, several options for contour lighting are provided; the instrument panel is purely electronic and has many functions; innovative projection display; the front panel has a complex architecture; the chairs create a high level of comfort.
But the trunk of the sports V8 is very meager - only 154 liters. And the air temperature in it is very high when the engine is running, sometimes you can hear jokes about the possibility of heating food in such a trunk (and why not
Additional futuristic option!).
BMW i8 Specifications
Since this is a hybrid model, there are two engines: internal combustion and electric. The latter uses a motor developed directly by BMW; it is capable of creating 250 Nm of torque immediately after pressing the pedal (up to 3500 rpm) and has a power of 131 hp. From the electric motor, power is transmitted to the front wheel axle through a 2-speed automatic transmission. The batteries used are Samsung lithium-ion batteries, located in the central tunnel and having an individual liquid cooling system. When driving using electric power alone, a car can cover 25-35 km, depending on the speed and road surface, with a maximum speed of about 120 km/h. The effective power of the batteries is 5.2 kWh, the maximum is 7.1. To charge such a battery from a regular power supply, it will take 3 hours, from a proprietary charger - about 2. We continue our review of the BMW i8.
The turbocharged internal combustion engine transmits power to the rear axle. It has 3 cylinders and a combustion chamber volume of 1.5 liters. The Mini Cooper engine was taken and modified as a prototype. The BMW i8 internal combustion engine is capable of delivering 231 hp. at 5800 rpm, or 320 Nm of torque at 3700 rpm. In addition, the “classic” engine here is equipped with a motor-generator with a power of 11 kW, capable of recharging the battery and creating instant pick-up when “turbo bottlenecks” appear (which is almost inevitable at high boost pressure). The transmission of torque from the internal combustion engine is carried out using a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Speed characteristics of a sports car.
The BMW i8 falls into the category of a hybrid sports all-wheel drive car. The total output of the engines is 362 hp. In sports mode, the car accelerates to 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds. And electric propulsion alone allows you to accelerate to 60 km/h in 4.5 seconds. An electronic maximum speed limiter is installed - 250 km/h. According to the NEDC certificate, in mixed mode fuel consumption will be about 2.5 l/100 km. However, some BMW employees shared “secret” information: in reality, you will need about 4.5 - 5.5 liters of “95” gasoline.
Auto base. Suspension. The BMW i8 is built on a unique modular chassis - DriveLife, characterized by a low center of gravity and weight distribution - 49:51. This chassis includes: a spine that hides the batteries; aluminum subframes; threaded carbon fiber body. The independent suspension is equipped with adaptive shock absorbers controlled electronically. The suspension has 2 arms at the front and 5 at the rear. Disc brakes are installed on all wheels, perforated at the front and ventilated at the rear. Electric power steering greatly simplifies vehicle control.
Equipment. The model sold in the Russian Federation has: wheels with a diameter of 20 inches made of light alloy materials; 6 airbags; LED optics; leather interior; dynamic type cruise control; navigation system – BMW Professional; climate control for 2 seasons; projection display; an entertainment complex (which includes hi-fi acoustics with 11 speakers); set of electronic security systems. If desired, you can install laser headlights that can reach 600 m ahead.
BMW i8 price. For a futuristic sports car you will have to pay at least 8 million 880 thousand rubles.
The BMW i8 is a premium all-wheel drive hybrid coupe that boasts a futuristic design, modern technical components and excellent driving characteristics... Its main target audience is high-income people living in megacities who monitor the environmental situation in the world...
The world premiere of the two-door took place in the fall of 2013 at the stands of the international Frankfurt Motor Show, but it was first presented as a concept back in 2009 at the same place (followed by several more show cars).
The car, which has become one of the most technologically sophisticated “products” in the Bavarian brand’s model range, combines the performance of a sports car with the fuel “appetite” of a small passenger car.
At the end of November 2017, at the motor show in Los Angeles, the Germans presented a modernized coupe, the main updates of which were concentrated in the “filling” - the two-door received a traction battery of increased capacity (from 7.1 to 11.6 kWh) and a more powerful electric motor. In addition, the car was slightly transformed on the outside, acquired a modified interior and was “armed” with new equipment.
The appearance of the BMW i8 came to us “from tomorrow.” Usually, bold concept cars, or one-off supercars, look like this, but not a production car sold all over the world. Where else can you see the original aerodynamic “wings” on the stern, on which turn signal indicators are successfully mounted? – only on this coupe!
By the way, about aerodynamics. This hybrid has a very low aerodynamic drag coefficient Cx - equal to 0.26 (and this is on a commercial vehicle with installed side mirrors and windshield wiper blades, as well as without sealing the seams between the body panels, when other manufacturers usually make such “little things” and “go out” in tests ").
The dynamism and sportiness in the contours and exterior design of the two-door are simply off the charts, and the adjusted dimensions give it additional elegance.
The length of the BMW i8 is 4689 mm, the wheelbase is 2800 mm, the front and rear overhangs are 960 and 929 mm, respectively. The width of the sports car does not exceed 1942 mm, and the height is limited to 1298 mm. Taking into account the mirrors, the width of the “Bavarian” stretches to 2039 mm, and its ground clearance does not exceed 117 mm.
The curb weight in the basic configuration is only 1535 kg.
The BMW i8 interior is designed to accommodate four passengers (2+2), but you can only sit in the front with proper comfort. There will only be enough space in the back for children or shopping bags, nothing more.
In terms of design, the interior of the BMW i8 follows in step with the exterior, offering a slightly futuristic filling of space with several options for switchable contour lighting, a fully electronic multifunctional instrument panel, a new generation head-up display, a front panel of complex architecture and comfortable seats.
One thing the BMW i8 lacks is cargo space. Only 154 liters – that’s exactly how much the tiny trunk can hold, filled with terrible heat emanating from the engine (so you can safely heat up the food you took with you on your lunch break – maybe this is a “smart” function from the future!? :)).
The hybrid concept of the BMW i8 involves the presence of two engines - electric and internal combustion engine:
- The role of “first” is played by a completely new synchronous unit developed by BMW, which produces 143 horsepower (105 kW) of power, as well as 250 Nm of torque from the very beginning of pressing the pedal (from 0 to 3500 rpm). The electric motor transmits power to the front axle wheels through a 2-speed automatic transmission, and is powered by Samsung lithium-ion batteries hidden in the central tunnel and equipped with its own liquid cooling system.
The two-door traction battery has a capacity of 11.6 kW*h (of which only 9.4 kW*h is nominally used), as a result of which its “range” on pure electric traction reaches 55 km. In this mode, the car is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 120 km/h and accelerating from zero to 60 km/h in 4.5 seconds.
It takes the Bavarian 2.4 hours to recharge the batteries to 80% from a regular household network, while the branded Wallbox device reduces this figure to 2 hours. - The thrust is transmitted to the rear axle from a 3-cylinder 1.5-liter turbo engine running on gasoline. This engine is up to 231 hp. at 5800 rpm and 320 Nm peak potential at 3700 rpm. It is combined with a 6-band hydromechanical automatic transmission and an additional 11 kW motor-generator that recharges the battery and provides instant pick-up during turbochargers (inevitable at high boost pressure).
Thus, the BMW i8 is a full-fledged hybrid sports car with four-wheel drive and a total engine output of 374 horsepower.
From 0 to 100 km/h in “Sport” mode, this coupe accelerates in 4.4 seconds, and reaches a maximum of 250 km/h (speed is electronically limited).
As for fuel consumption, according to the NEDC certification cycle (which has little in common with reality) in mixed mode it is about 1.9 liters, but “in secret” BMW representatives said that on average the i8 hybrid consumes about 4.5-5. 5 liters of AI-95 gasoline.
The BMW i8 is based on a unique modular chassis “DriveLife” with a very low center of gravity and a weight distribution of 49:51, consisting of a backbone (hiding the battery) and aluminum subframes, and a carbon fiber “living body” is attached to this entire structure with threaded connections.
The hybrid's suspension is completely independent, with adaptive electronically controlled Dynamic Damper Control shock absorbers: double-wishbone at the front, five-link at the rear. Almost all suspension elements are made of aluminum, which contributes to reducing the weight of the car.
The brakes on the four wheels of the two-door are disc, with perforations in the front and ventilated in the rear. The car's rack and pinion steering mechanism is complemented by an electric booster.
On the Russian market, the BMW i8 coupe of the 2018 model year is offered at a price of 9,490,000 rubles.
As standard, the two-door “flaunts”: six airbags, 20-inch wheels, dual-zone climate control, ABS, ESP, leather trim, parking assistance system, blind spot monitoring, heated and electric front seats, LED optics all around, light and rain sensors, a multimedia complex, high-quality “music” and a bunch of other modern “tricks”.
In addition, a wide range of expensive options are announced for the car - for example, laser-phosphor headlights (for which you will have to pay an additional amount of about 600 thousand rubles).
In September 2009, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, BMW presented a sports car concept called the BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics. The following year, 2010, it was announced that production of the production model, called the BMW i8, would begin in 2013 at the company's plant in Leipzig.
Throughout this time, there were many skeptical remarks that this venture would not be successful and the company would lose considerable funds invested in the development and production of the future model. The reason for such statements were the failures that befell the Bavarian automaker’s competitors in this field and the still rather “crude” technologies for creating hybrids. But the result exceeded all expectations, silencing the most ardent skeptics. An indicator of the excellent work of the engineers and the success of the project as a whole is the fact that in a few months of 2014 the company received an annual number of orders at a rather considerable cost of the car - 126 thousand euros.
Why did this car appeal to European buyers? The BMW i8 is a 2+2 all-wheel drive G2 class coupe with a carbon fiber body and an aluminum frame. Although the production model lacks some of the high-tech bells and whistles that were present in the concept version, the car has rightfully retained its title as an innovative and high-tech vehicle. The smooth lines and curves of the body give it the swift and graceful appearance of a 200% sports car, expressed in entirely practical terms, perhaps the lowest air resistance coefficient - 0.26.
Thanks to the traditional use of composite materials and light metals in modern cars of this class, it was possible to reduce the weight of the car to 1490 kg, while maintaining structural rigidity.
The heart of the BMW i8 sports car is a plug-in hybrid installation, which provides the ability to charge lithium-ion batteries not only from the main engine, but also from a regular electrical network. According to the manufacturer, fully charging the batteries located in the center of the aluminum frame from a 120 V network will take 3.5 hours, and with a voltage of 220 V – an hour and a half.
Front-wheel drive is provided by a 131 hp electric motor located in the front of the body. Together with a three-cylinder petrol engine with two turbochargers with a volume of one and a half liters and an output of 231 hp. the total power of the car is 362 hp. and a maximum torque of 570 Nm is achieved. Accordingly, the car is equipped with two transmissions: a six-speed automatic transmission provides torque from an internal combustion engine, and a two-speed automatic transmission from an electric motor. The electronic all-wheel drive control system ensures traction distribution both between the axles and between the wheels of the same axle. The weight distribution along the axles is 50:50.
Both externally and internally, the BMW i8 turned out to be quite attractive. All the best that the company has developed is embodied in a practical and ergonomic modern interior design that complements the original appearance of the car. Conventional glass has been replaced with stronger, but also thinner, and in order to reduce weight, magnesium is present among the materials used in the cabin.
The maximum speed of the car is 250 km/h, and acceleration to hundreds is only 4.4 seconds. When powered by the electric motor alone, the BMW i8 can travel 35 kilometers on a single battery charge and reach a top speed of 120 km/h.
However, one of the most impressive indicators that distinguish this sports car is its efficiency, which some European publications called extreme. Thus, in mixed mode, the i8 consumes only 2.5 liters per 100 kilometers with CO2 emissions of 59 g/km. Moreover, the maximum distance that it can cover with a fully filled 25-liter tank is 600 kilometers.
Of course, for that kind of money you can buy almost any car with a traditional engine from BMW or any other brand, but in this case the i8 is capable and has already become an object of desire for many wealthy Europeans. As in many cases, the company managed, not without a certain amount of risk, to surprise the public, spoiled by various technical innovations of recent times, by creating, without exaggeration, a dream car.
BMW i8 Specifications
| Parameter | BMW i8 |
|---|---|
| Engine | |
| engine's type | hybrid |
| Output power of the installation, hp | 362 |
| Installation torque, N*m | 570 |
| Electric motor power, kW/hp. | 96/131 |
| Electric motor torque, N*m | 250 |
| Number of internal combustion engine cylinders | 3 |
| Number of valves per internal combustion engine cylinder | 4 |
| Working volume of internal combustion engine, cubic meters. cm. | 1500 |
| Engine power, hp (at rpm) | 231 (5800) |
| Torque, N*m (at rpm) | 320 (3700) |
| Transmission | |
| Drive unit | full |
| Transmission | 6 automatic transmission |
| Suspension | |
| Front suspension type | independent multi-link |
| Rear suspension type | independent multi-link |
| Tires | |
| Front tire size (standard, special equipment) | 195/50 R20, 215/45 R20 |
| Rear tire size (standard, special equipment) | 215/45 R20, 245/40 R20 |
| Front disc size (standard, special equipment) | 7Jx20, 7.5Jx20 |
| Rear disc size (standard, special equipment) | 7.5Jx20, 8.5Jx20 |
| Fuel | |
| Fuel type | AI-98 |
| Tank volume, l | 25 |
| Fuel consumption | |
| Combined cycle, l/100 km | 2.5 |
| dimensions | |
| Number of seats | 2+2 |
| Length, mm | 4689 |
| Width (without mirrors/with mirrors), mm | 1942/2039 |
| Height, mm | 1298 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2800 |
| Front wheel track, mm | 1644 |
| Rear wheel track, mm | 1576 |
| Front overhang length, mm | 960 |
| Rear overhang length, mm | 929 |
| Weight | |
| Curb, kg | 1490 |
| Full, kg | 1855 |
| Power reserve and battery charging | |
| Cruising range on electric motor, km | 25-35 |
| Total range, km | >500 |
| Battery capacity, kW*h | 7.1 |
| Battery charging time from a 220 V network, h | <2 |
| Dynamic characteristics | |
| Maximum speed when driving on an electric motor, km/h | 120 |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 250 |
| Acceleration time to 60 km/h when driving on an electric motor, s | 4.5 |
| Acceleration time to 100 km/h, s | 4.4 |
BMW i8 / BMW i8
The BMW i8 is BMW's first hybrid supercar. The production version of the model was officially presented in the fall of 2013 at the Frankfurt Motor Show, although the concept car was shown to the public back in 2009. According to the company, the BMW i8 is a truly revolutionary car. The carbon monocoque body structure in combination with an aluminum frame, as well as the use of lightweight magnesium material in the interior, made it possible to significantly reduce the curb weight of the model. Bavarian engineers replaced some of the ordinary glass with thinner, but ultra-strong ones. The lightweight, but at the same time quite rigid body of the new BMW i8 has the lowest drag coefficient - 0.26. The i8 also boasts the lowest center of gravity of any BMW. The futuristic design makes the hybrid supercar stand out: the flowing lines and curves of the BMW i8 body create a sophisticated, muscular silhouette of a modern sports car. The interior of the model is created in the spirit of the BMW concept, where practicality is perfectly combined with successful ergonomics and modern design.
The power unit in the BMW i8 is installed in the rear. This is a 1.5-liter petrol turbo engine, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Engineers placed the electric motor in the front of the body, and the battery packs are located in the center of the aluminum frame. The power plant of the BMW i8 is a plug-in design, which allows the vehicle's battery pack to be charged from a power outlet. The 131-horsepower electric motor allows you to travel about 35 km at a maximum possible speed of up to 120 km per hour without connecting a gasoline engine. If the owner needs to travel longer distances, a 1.5-liter gasoline engine with a power of 231 hp comes into play. The engineers were able to achieve such performance from such a small volume thanks to the use of two turbochargers. In Europe, the base price for the BMW i8 is 125 thousand euros.
The hybrid supercar is available in 4 body color options and several interior trim lines using combined leather materials. The uncontested standard equipment of the BMW i8 includes automatic 2-zone climate control, additional electric heating of the interior, a multifunction steering wheel, heated and electrically adjustable seats, MBW Professional multimedia (8.8-inch screen, iDrive touch controller), a package of advanced communication systems, interactive Connected Drive services, car remote control option. The list of basic safety systems of the German hybrid includes directional stability control, 6 airbags (front and side), proximity warning, tire pressure indicator, and driving assistant. In addition, the owner of a BMW i8 receives “3rd year plus” post-warranty service, a special service package and a warranty certificate for the battery (8 years or 100 thousand km).