The BMW i8 Concept is all about making fuel efficiency sexy in a sports car. The plug-in hybrid was designed with performance in mind, utilizing both an electric drive system on its front axle and a three-cylinder combustion engine on its rear axle. This gives the car several driving modes depending on the power source, from front-wheel drive (using electric power alone) to all-wheel drive. The i8 handles great and can accelerate from 0 to 62 miles per hour in under 5 seconds.
Fuel Efficiency
The i8 utilizes plastics and aluminum to achieve a lighter weight (3256 pounds), just one of the ways it achieves the quoted 33 to 47 mpg. The car can be charged through a standard electrical outlet in two hours and run on electric power alone for 20 miles.
Exterior
The i8 sits low to the ground as any sports car should. It also has gull-wing doors and the now-expected-in-a-sports-car "surge forward" appearance. What catches the eye at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, however, is the way it utilizes color layering (silver, black and blue highlights) to further sculpt the exterior, as well as transparent panels to showcase the car's interior. For instance, a black, semi-transparent V on the hood flows back over the roof to the rear of the car.
Interior
The interior styling also uses color layering: porcelain white, blue trim and mocha brown leather. The dashboard contains two flat-screen displays with information about the car's two driving systems, range, fuel, etc.
Cool Features
- The i8 has Laser Light headlights that are much smaller and more intense than traditional headlights. They are also much more energy efficient.
- Space for 4
- LifeDrive architecture
- Available in 2013
Sources:
Return to: 2012 NAIAS Highlights
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