[954Stealth]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

"EVERYONE WHO SEES THE i8 ASSUMES IT IS, IN FACT, FROM THE FUTURE"
- Chris Harris



The BMW i8 or BMW Concept Vision Efficient Dynamics as it was first introduced in 2009 is the first BMW since the iconic M1 Sports Car of the late 1970s with a mid engine design. In addition to that mid chassis mounted 1.5 L turbo charged internal combustion engine from the "past" the i8 features a 7.1 kWh lithium ion battery pack that delivers power to the front wheels via the 98 kW 131 hp electric motor from the future.



What does this all mean? Well, it means that this plug in hybrid sports car from the future produces 357 hp and 420 ft-lbs of torque while combining both electric motor and combustion engine output. With many of the current sport sedans on the market making over 400 hp, this may not seem very impressive but pair that with the 3,200 lb curb weight, all carbon fiber chassis construction and extremely low drag coefficient and you get to sixty in just 3.8 seconds.



First Impressions:

The i8 rides and sounds fantastic! Yes that is right, it SOUNDS fantastic. The 20 minute drive home from the dealer after delivery turned into over an hour drive back to the shop. The i8's handling is agile and steering sharp, the brakes are very good and the overall ride is fantastic. Since the i8 was debuted it was a car that we needed to get our hands on. We loved the looks and styling and knew that if it had the handling and driving characteristics of other BMWs we had to have it.

When you first walk up to the futuristic supercar you are instantly enamored by the sleek and slippery body lines of the i8. The shapes of the thermoplastic body panels draped over the carbon-fiber tub are something you would expect to find on The Jetsons.

One of the first thing we noticed is the sheer size of the i8, in photos and at auto shows the car seemed somewhat small but in the real world the car has a certain size and presence about it. The door opens with little to no effort as the tuned spring/damper helps push the carbon door up and open. Now to the hard part, getting in the i8. Whether you are 5’ 5” or 6’ 6” gracefully getting in and out of the i8 is next to impossible. The unusually long but extremely short door opening makes getting in or out somewhat of a challenge.

Once past the obstacle of entry you find yourself surrounded by leather, lights and crisp digital displays. Mechanical instrument clusters are a thing of the past, the i8 features a fully digital cluster with displays that shift from blue to red depending on what driving mode is selected. After pushing the gear selector into sport mode, the cluster illuminates red and all 357 horsepower is at your command. The sound of the 1.5L turbo-charged engine fills the cabin (or noise pipped in through the stereo) and your off. The instant torque of the electric motor combined with the added power from the gasoline engine creates such a smooth sensation when accelerating, regardless of what speed.

Despite everything that is great about the i8, we still feel the desire to get more out of it whether it’s more acceleration, better handling, more stopping power and the list goes on. As part of our DNA and what makes Turner what it is today, we are always striving to push the envelope to improve performance, aesthetics and the overall driving experience of any and all BMWs. The i8 is no different, thus the Turner Project i8.



First Things First; Suspension.

Since suspension tuning is our specialty, we wanted to make sure that our i8 handled as good as it looks. To start we contacted our friends over at H&R springs to get some sport springs for the i8 to lower the center of gravity and slightly increase the spring rate without negatively impacting the fantastic ride. In addition to the springs we decided to install some camber adjustment arms to dial a little more negative camber into the front wheels to help with the pushy-ness of the i8 from the factory. The combination made a huge improvement, the i8 is a blast on any corner.


Wheels:
Forgeline AR1 Forged Wheels for i8

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/c-32...oy-wheels.aspx


Turner 04/07/15 http://www.turnermotorsport.com/t-project-i12-i8.aspx

[JasH]

I rather like it. Makes it look even more of concept car.

Personally though, whilst I like the yellow a lot, I don't think the blue works with it. However, it does lend it a concept look.

Interesting modifications to the handling. Would just the extra negative camber also reduce understeer? Any negative side effects, apart from tyre wear?

[Ghetto2315]

I love everything about it except for the blue wheels. Make the wheels black and I think it would look stellar. Or perhaps a black wheel with a blue lip. Either way, that's a hot i8.

[ChrisMT79]

The blue accents give the appearance that it is almost glowing, looks pretty good IMHO.

[ticamihai2003]

1.5 not 1.3 L combustion engine

[marsb007]

Did you name it "wolverine"?

[Danyutz]

Was this inspiration?

[NORAGRETS]

Uh no thanks

[cmk227]

Black wheels would have looked great.

[jcpca356]

very nice

[InTheNightKitchen]

You like it aye? Lmao sigh

[M3 Number 86]

Originally Posted by Danyutz

Was this inspiration?

that looks good.

can it handle those tires though?

[954Stealth]

Re: the color - Blue and Yellow are iconic, trademark Turner colors on all their racing cars, logos and branding. To be a true TMS car it had to be blue&yellow

[MSPORTWORLD]

Originally Posted by 954Stealth

Re: the color - Blue and Yellow are iconic, trademark Turner colors on all their racing cars, logos and branding. To be a TMS project it had to be blue&yellow

Ditto! Beautiful work Turner! Taking motorsport livery into the future

[03BeastCharmer]

Originally Posted by 954Stealth

Re: the color - Blue and Yellow are iconic, trademark Turner colors on all their racing cars, logos and branding. To be a TMS project it had to be blue&yellow

Their race cars are blue and yellow, but Will's project M cars aren't. The F10 M5 and E92 M3 were matching frozen silver. They also had a white and Fire Orange E92 M3 project car.

[954Stealth]

Originally Posted by 03BeastCharmer

Their race cars are blue and yellow, but Will's project M cars aren't. The F10 M5 and E92 M3 were matching frozen silver. They also had a white and Fire Orange E92 M3 project car.

I saw the list too. That doesn't disprove what I said about the colors being Turner colors but I edited my comment so people don't continue to misinterpret what I meant. But yeah lots of red and white project cars. The McLaren is nice too

[Diver]

Back to the future...

[Needbmwpartzz]

Hey where is the flux capacitor?

[inFamousKicks]

Yikes

[Golden Arrow]

Originally Posted by 954Stealth

Re: the color - Blue and Yellow are iconic, trademark Turner colors on all their racing cars, logos and branding. To be a true TMS car it had to be blue&yellow

+1

[Golden Arrow]

Originally Posted by 954Stealth

I saw the list too. That doesn't disprove what I said about the colors being Turner colors but I edited my comment so people don't continue to misinterpret what I meant. But yeah lots of red and white project cars. The McLaren is nice too

TMS Z4

[BetoVera]

Nope nope nope nope