With the completion of the development work and final preparations for production at the BMW Group plant in Leipzig, the launch of the BMW i8 approaches its peak. Delivery of the first customer cars will start in June 2014, beginning with the main European markets. Beforehand, special public events will be held in various regions all over the world to meet the enormous interest in the BMW i8. For this purpose BMW i agents will be equipped with separate demonstration vehicles. The start of series production of customer vehicles will commence in April. Customers have already been able to place pre-orders for the BMW i8 in all major markets since autumn 2013. However, demand for the BMW i8 is already exceeding the planned production volume during ramp-up. Thanks to its novel powertrain concept BMW eDrive in plug-in hybrid configuration, the i8 combines a 0–100 km/h sprint time of 4.4 seconds with an EU test cycle average fuel consumption of 2.1 litres/100 km and CO2 emissions of 49 g/km. The related electricity consumption was measured at 11.9 kWh per 100km. The BMW i8’s plug-in hybrid system comprises a 170 kW/231 hp, 320 Nm (236 lb-ft) three-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and a 131bhp, 250Nm hybrid synchronous electric motor. The BMW eDrive system also includes a lithium-ion high-voltage battery and intelligent energy management that uses the combined output of 362bhp to provide breathtaking performance and maximum efficiency, while always taking into account the driving situation and driver requirements. The excellent balance between driving pleasure and fuel economy is aided by a low vehicle weight of 1,485 kg. In zero-emission all-electric mode, the BMW i8 has a top speed of 120 km/h and a range of 37 kilometres within the EU test cycle. Depending on whether the plug-in hybrid sports car’s lithium-ion battery is recharged at a household power socket or BMW i Wallbox, or at a public charging station, charging times range from less than two up to three hours. In Sport mode the BMW i8 offers mid-range acceleration from 80 to 120 km/h in 2.6 seconds. The electronically governed top speed is 250 km/h.
