The BMW i8 and i3 vehicles were shown for the first time in New York at a private press event. The i8 will be a hybrid electric sports car and the i3 will be BMW's entry into the city EV (electric vehicle) segment. Both strive to offer not just efficiency but performance to boot.
Here are the vitals on each:
BMW i8 [
Official Info/Media]
- High performance 3-cylinder petrol engine (164 kW) in rear with i3's electric motor (limited to 96 kW) in front
- Total torque of 550 Nm (300Nm petrol engine + 250 Nm electric motor)
- 3 driving modes - electric, petrol, or both engines at once
- 1,480 kg
- 0-100kph (62mph): 4.6 seconds
- Top speed: 250kph (limited)
- 2.7 L/100km fuel economy
- 35km pure electric range
- 4 seater
- 50:50 distribution
- Market Launch: 2014
- Live photos from Frankfurt IAA debut
BMW i3 [
Official Info/Media]
- 125kw, 250Nm
- 0-60 kph: 3.9 seconds
- 0-100 kph: 7.9 seconds
- batteries charge in 6 hours (standard socket)
- 1 hour of recharge provides around 80% of battery capacity using high capacity charger
- 150km range
- 200 liter boot space
- 4 doors
- Market Launch: 2013
- Live photos from Frankfurt IAA debut
Check out some footage from the event: