[hellrotm]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

EVO Drag Battle

BMW i8 vs Porsche 991 S

[Carac]

I figured out why EVO's 0-60 times are so much worse (4.5 seconds) than Motor Trend and Road&Track (3.8 seconds).

They do a brake stand start instead of just mashing the gas from a standstill like the other publications. Shame.

[ddk632]

Originally Posted by Carac

I figured out why EVO's 0-60 times are so much worse (4.5 seconds) than Motor Trend and Road&Track (3.8 seconds).

They do a brake stand start instead of just mashing the gas from a standstill like the other publications. Shame.

What do you mean by brake stand start?

[Carac]

Originally Posted by ddk632

What do you mean by brake stand start?

Standing on the brake, getting on the throttle, and waiting to build revs before releasing the brake (which works on purely turbo cars because you're building boost). I'd be willing to bet the i8 retards power to the electric motor if the car doesn't move, it's constantly syncing the two drivetrains as well as trying to regen power from the brake you're holding.

[ddk632]

Originally Posted by Carac

Standing on the brake, getting on the throttle, and waiting to build revs before releasing the brake (which works on purely turbo cars because you're building boost). I'd be willing to bet the i8 retards power to the electric motor if the car doesn't move, it's constantly syncing the two drivetrains as well as trying to regen power from the brake you're holding.

Gotcha ... that is the launch control sequence in the i8 though. One would think it is faster (optimized for max torque from a standstill, etc.) than whichever other method of launching the i8.

I wonder if the R&T times use 1-foot rollout.

For example, Edmunds tested the i8 and got 4.5s 0-60 vs 4.2s 0-60 w/1-foot rollout.

The R&T times are still considerably faster but I can see 0.4s being due to other factors (maybe even battery charge). Who knows.

[Carac]

Originally Posted by ddk632

Gotcha ... that is the launch control sequence in the i8 though. One would think it is faster (optimized for max torque from a standstill, etc.) than whichever other method of launching the i8.

I wonder if the R&T times use 1-foot rollout.

For example, Edmunds tested the i8 and got 4.5s 0-60 vs 4.2s 0-60 w/1-foot rollout.

The R&T times are still considerably faster but I can see 0.4s being due to other factors (maybe even battery charge). Who knows.

Funny aside, all current AMGs are faster if you don't use "Race Start" (i.e. Launch Control).

Yeah, the i8 introduces a lot more variables to the equation.

[drlonline]

Here is what Road & Track said about launch control of the i8. This is from an article "10 things we learned about the i8 with test numbers" dated April 28:

2. Launch control isn’t impressive, but the transmission is

The six-speed automatic is awesome; shift quality is near-perfect in regular driving. In Launch Control (which is available only in Dynamic Traction Control mode, not when traction control is fully turned off), the upshifts are harsher than many dual-clutch transmissions. Launch Control also only knocked 0.1 or so off the 0-60 time. The 5-60-mph rolling-start time was less impressive than I expected from a partial EV, adding 1.1 seconds to the run. For that, you can blame the three-cylinder engine's significant turbo lag.

[Carac]

Originally Posted by drlonline

Here is what Road & Track said about launch control of the i8. This is from an article "10 things we learned about the i8 with test numbers" dated April 28:

2. Launch control isn’t impressive, but the transmission is

The six-speed automatic is awesome; shift quality is near-perfect in regular driving. In Launch Control (which is available only in Dynamic Traction Control mode, not when traction control is fully turned off), the upshifts are harsher than many dual-clutch transmissions. Launch Control also only knocked 0.1 or so off the 0-60 time. The 5-60-mph rolling-start time was less impressive than I expected from a partial EV, adding 1.1 seconds to the run. For that, you can blame the three-cylinder engine's significant turbo lag.

Hmm, must be some other variable for why their numbers are off on the i8 but the Porsche under the same conditions is right where it should be, time wise.

[kevinlevrone]

For a car with 215mm wide rear tires, the i8's performance is great. But we have to remember that the electric motor in the i8 is there to primarily reduce fuel consumption, and not to primarily enhance performance like in the LaFerrari. I think the i8 is outstandingly balanced (aside from the price)

[ddk632]

^^

I don't know if I agree that the electric motor in the i8 is there primarily to reduce fuel consumption...

In terms of hybrid drivetrain design, the i8 is closest to the 918. Both the i8 and 918 are "axle hybrids" with an electric motor on it's own axle, powering the front wheels, and an ICE engine powering the rear wheels.

The i8 hybrid drivetrain is there (instead of just a single traditional V8, for example) to reduce fuel consumption, true; however, in sport mode, the electric motor is 100% used to increase performance... It accounts for over 35% of the full power of the car, and a little less than half of the torque. In sport mode, fuel consumption is put on the back burner and performance to the forefront. That's part of the dual nature of the car.

The main difference in the LaFerrari (in terms of design decision) is that it cannot run on electric power alone since the electric motors in that car are not directly connected to the wheels.

[4er_Meister]

Lol that was pretty stupid if you ask me, Uhhhh an i8 with Mid 300 hp vs a porsche with over 400 horsepower...

[Wolfinwolfsclothing]

Not even close...the 991S is a 118/119 mph trap speed car, even a base 991 would walk away from an i8. We already know they both destroy it on the track.
And the 911 does this all while being cheaper, and being IMO a much nicer car to look at inside and out.

Originally Posted by Carac

Hmm, must be some other variable for why their numbers are off on the i8 but the Porsche under the same conditions is right where it should be, time wise.

Both cars were under the same conditions. The i8 isnt in the same game as the 911. These times were quite slow for the 911 too if youre going by MT, R&T or C&D, and again, they ran what they ran same day, same conditions. From a roll, I bet the 911 would pull away just as fast.

[GOLFFRR]

as I expected. The i8 isn't made to be drag race machine. Either way I would much rather have a i8 over a 911 for so many reason. That car is amazing IMO

[Bahn360Photo]

i8 all day, design in/out is fantastic, Porsche is a great car but BMW is out of this world

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

I see this video as further proof the i8 is "The Ultimate Poser Machine."

[Carac]

Loving all the people hating on a car they can't afford for being slower in a drag race than a 911, because that's obviously the only metric that matters. Excuse me while I go post on a LaFerrari forum about its trunk size and fuel economy.

[ddk632]

Originally Posted by glennQNYC

I see this video as further proof the i8 is "The Ultimate Poser Machine."

How so?

[ddk632]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

as I expected. The i8 isn't made to be drag race machine. Either way I would much rather have a i8 over a 911 for so many reason. That car is amazing IMO

Originally Posted by Bahn360Photo

i8 all day, design in/out is fantastic, Porsche is a great car but BMW is out of this world

Whole different ball game with this car. 0-60 times and drag race results are not the end all be all of the measurement of a great car. People put too much stock in this stuff. The GT-R spanks both of them in these metrics for less money. And I'd take an i8 over a 911 over a GT-R in that order.

[rad doc]

Originally Posted by Carac

Loving all the people hating on a car they can't afford for being slower in a drag race than a 911, because that's obviously the only metric you need to choose a car.

Loving all the people make broad assumptions about things like others finances and ability to afford the car without any factual knowledge!

[Carac]

Originally Posted by rad doc

Loving all the people make broad assumptions about things like others finances and ability to afford the car without any factual knowledge!

It's just me, not "all" the people in here. And it's not a stretch to assume the guys from the 1-series forums poking their heads in can't or at least won't buy an i8 (says the guy parking a SLS next to a Fiesta ST, people make assumptions based on what you drive, no matter what). The same people acting like the only reason they aren't in a dealership putting a deposit down is because it doesn't have a V8.

[ATSR]

Originally Posted by glennQNYC

I see this video as further proof the i8 is "The Ultimate Poser Machine."

Couldn't agree with you more.

Just to recap, the i8 is no drag racing machine, it's not suitable for the track either, but BMW insists that it's a sports car?

It may look like a sports car but it gets beaten by every other "standard" sports car in the market. While it may have a lot of advanced materials and hybrid tech, it seems to me it's just an overpriced fashion item.

[NAV8TT]

This comparison is useless. Why would anyone compare apples to oranges. I hope this not gonna cause the i8 not to be on the next need for speed video game..pissed lol