BMW i8 to be Powered by Gasoline, not Diesel Afterall

Jason · 02-23-2011, 08:32 PM

BIMMERPOST NEWS

BMW i8 to be Powered by Gasoline, not Diesel Afterall

60
COMMENTS

In a big fundamental change for the upcoming BMW i8, the future BMW halo car will be powered by a gasoline engine instead of diesel. It was previously intended to be powered by a 161-horsepower 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbo DIESEL engine mated with a hybrid synchronous motor on the front axle (80HP) and full electric motor on the rear axle (51HP), to give a combined 292HP. The diesel motor will now be replaced by a traditional gasoline engine.

According to R&D chief Klaus Draeger (via Autocar), the i8 will instead be petrol (gasoline) powered in order appeal to the widest potential market. Says Draeger - the change is being made "as we want to sell it all over the world. Diesel is only really relevant to Europe”.

The i8 (along with the i3) were announced as the first models to be produced under the new BMW sub-brand "i" earlier this week. Both cars will be built at the Leipzig Plant. The i3 launches in 2013, the i8 shortly after.

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numba1guju · 02-24-2011, 05:29 PM

thank god!

cuban335i · 02-24-2011, 05:37 PM

+1!

maswastage · 02-24-2011, 05:37 PM

WTF? Who says diesel is only relevant in Europe? What's so relevant about automatically losing about 50% of the car's fuel efficiency by switching to gasoline? So much for making a radical hyper efficient sports car. Now it's just another useless gasoline hybrid like all the others.

O-cha · 02-24-2011, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by numba1guju

thank god!

Why, diesel engines can go toe to toe with gasoline engines in power and response now, BMW has several in Europe, but because of people like you they have to "appeal to a wide market" or not in code "The Americans have to buy them for it to be successful, and they know nothing about diesel".

bdardashti · 02-24-2011, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maswastage

WTF? Who says diesel is only relevant in Europe? What's so relevant about automatically losing about 50% of the car's fuel efficiency by switching to gasoline? So much for making a radical hyper efficient sports car. Now it's just another useless gasoline hybrid like all the others.

+1. Guaranteed fuel consumption will increase.

DimSum · 02-24-2011, 05:46 PM

How much money are we looking at for one of these i8s?

numba1guju · 02-24-2011, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DimSum

How much money are we looking at for one of these i8s?

imma say around the 100k mark

numba1guju · 02-24-2011, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O-cha

Why, diesel engines can go toe to toe with gasoline engines in power and response now, BMW has several in Europe, but because of people like you they have to "appeal to a wide market" or not in code "The Americans have to buy them for it to be successful, and they know nothing about diesel".

i cant vouch for a diesel except for mercedes my parents used to own...im not saying diesel is bad or gasoline is better...just hoping for such a great car to get a slightly better engine...thats what the "thank god" is for

p.s. sick sig pic

Darkpitiless · 02-24-2011, 06:00 PM

Yes that's more like it now. Here in Kuwait we don't use diesel. Now we are going to have it

antzcrashing · 02-24-2011, 06:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by O-cha

"The Americans have to buy them for it to be successful, and they know nothing about diesel".

That is exactly what I was thinking.

But, BMW is making a foolish mistake because they can do much better in MPG with a diesel and that was one way to sell to Americans, MPGs talk.

Now the car will be only decent in fuel consumption and the only way to really market it is the cool body style.

Bad move BMW. You just through your ACE away.

-=Hot|Ice=- · 02-24-2011, 06:22 PM

What are the power train figures on the car, again?

E39hijinks · 02-24-2011, 06:28 PM

I like how all of you are sitting behind a computer screen giving orders to BMW headquarters on how to market and produce their cars. Stunning!

IancoleTX · 02-24-2011, 06:30 PM

Great, now just take out the hybrid system and you've got a properly interesting car.

Jason · 02-24-2011, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -=Hot|Ice=-

What are the power train figures on the car, again?

The specs for the originally intended diesel-electric hybrid setup are in the first post.

OdomPHD · 02-24-2011, 06:48 PM

WTF. The diesel revolution will never get off the ground here in the US unless it gets good and "sporty" reviews that really catch the young American's eye. So why in the name of God would BMW make it's first super car, it's only competition for the Italian cars and others like the R8 etc., the ONE car that will get a huge amount of attention....a gas burner.

It was planned as a diesel, but now...almost strictly for the US market (as it would seem)...they have altered their approach and have gone mainstream with this gorgeous car. Why? It seems counter productive to put advertising up for diesel models in the US and then throw away the diesel factor of this super car, which in my opinion would have been BMW's "diesel jewel." A HUGE boost to the diesel name and a way to break the old ideology.

Sometimes BMW just doesn't make sense. Either way though, this car will be a hit. No doubt in my mind.

Cornhusker · 02-24-2011, 06:55 PM

It could be pretty amazing if it's still super light and they use the new 245hp (or better) 2.0L turbo in combo with the electric for 320+ hp.... MPG could still be 50+, right?

maswastage · 02-24-2011, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cornhusker

It could be pretty amazing if it's still super light and they use the new 245hp (or better) 2.0L turbo in combo with the electric for 320 hp.... MPG could still be 50 , right?

I doubt it. It'll probably be about 40. And in any case, the point is no longer about how efficient it is but how efficient it could have been. Even if it does end up getting 50 mpg, it'll be all the more frustrating knowing that just means it could have been getting 70 .

antzcrashing · 02-24-2011, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maswastage

I doubt it. It'll probably be about 40. And in any case, the point is no longer about how efficient it is but how efficient it could have been. Even if it does end up getting 50 mpg, it'll be all the more frustrating knowing that just means it could have been getting 70 .

+1

JoeyFiasco · 02-24-2011, 07:40 PM

come on guys. if you can afford this car, i am sure you are not worried about fuel costs. the point of the concept was to develop BMW's efficiency technology initiatives and PR. the idea of the production car, is to make money for BMW.

Augenbrauezug · 02-24-2011, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by numba1guju

imma say around the 100k mark

I thought it started around the 125k mark, and was floating up towards to 200k. Mom's husband is looking at getting one if it's closer to 125, sure hope so, I'll have to go swap cars with him once if he does.

Diver · 02-24-2011, 07:58 PM

Regulations have nearly killed off diesel engines in the US. Now we get to import a lot more oil as a result. After the EU, the US is BMW's largest market by far. So if they say diesel is only relevant in Europe, they might mean it is not relevant in the US.

02-23-2011, 08:32 PM	#1
Jason Administrator Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Posts: 15,941 iTrader: (0)	BMW i8 to be Powered by Gasoline, not Diesel Afterall BIMMERPOST NEWS BMW i8 to be Powered by Gasoline, not Diesel Afterall 60 COMMENTS Tweet In a big fundamental change for the upcoming BMW i8, the future BMW halo car will be powered by a gasoline engine instead of diesel. It was previously intended to be powered by a 161-horsepower 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbo DIESEL engine mated with a hybrid synchronous motor on the front axle (80HP) and full electric motor on the rear axle (51HP), to give a combined 292HP. The diesel motor will now be replaced by a traditional gasoline engine. According to R&D chief Klaus Draeger (via Autocar), the i8 will instead be petrol (gasoline) powered in order appeal to the widest potential market. Says Draeger - the change is being made "as we want to sell it all over the world. Diesel is only really relevant to Europe”. The i8 (along with the i3) were announced as the first models to be produced under the new BMW sub-brand "i" earlier this week. Both cars will be built at the Leipzig Plant. The i3 launches in 2013, the i8 shortly after. OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT LIKE Some Insight Into BMW i8 Standard Equipment, Features and Options Louis Vuitton creates tailor-made luggage for the BMW i8 BMW USA Website Indicates BMW i8 Available in July __________________ Check on the Latest BMW News Become a fan of Bimmerpost Facebook Follow us on Bimmerpost Twitter Subscribe to Bimmerpost Youtube Channel
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02-24-2011, 05:29 PM	#2
numba1guju Lieutenant Drives: 2002 325i Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 476 iTrader: (0)	thank god! __________________ Current: 2013 328i Mineral Gray ZMM/ZLP/Heated Seats SOLD: 2002 325i Jet Black ZPP
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02-24-2011, 05:37 PM	#3
cuban335i Brigadier General Drives: 535i xdrive Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: central NJ Posts: 3,551 iTrader: (18)	+1! __________________ Current: '13 F10 535i xDrive - lightly modded for now Previous: '12 e92 M3 Melbourne Red/Bamboo - ADV.1 ADV10, Volk TE37SL, OSS, Innotech F1, Arkym, iND '09 e92 335i Alpine White/Saddle Brown - fully modded
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02-24-2011, 06:30 PM	#14
IancoleTX Dillo boxers Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: USA Posts: 3,041 iTrader: (13)	Great, now just take out the hybrid system and you've got a properly interesting car. __________________ 2011 135i 6MT - Alpine White / Savannah Beige
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02-24-2011, 07:58 PM	#22
Diver Colonel Drives: Black '12 135i DCT PPK Msport Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 2,270 iTrader: (0)	Regulations have nearly killed off diesel engines in the US. Now we get to import a lot more oil as a result. After the EU, the US is BMW's largest market by far. So if they say diesel is only relevant in Europe, they might mean it is not relevant in the US. __________________ See my photography at http://ronscubadiver.wordpress.com
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02-24-2011, 05:37 PM	#4
maswastage Resident Diesel Junkie Drives: 2010 AW 335d Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Maryland Posts: 1,072 iTrader: (0)	WTF? Who says diesel is only relevant in Europe? What's so relevant about automatically losing about 50% of the car's fuel efficiency by switching to gasoline? So much for making a radical hyper efficient sports car. Now it's just another useless gasoline hybrid like all the others.
	0

02-24-2011, 05:46 PM	#7
DimSum Banned Drives: SLOW Join Date: May 2008 Location: LITTLEBIMMER.COM Posts: 2,743 iTrader: (10)	How much money are we looking at for one of these i8s?
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02-24-2011, 06:00 PM	#10
Darkpitiless Enlisted Member Drives: E90 LCI 320i - E92 LCI 335i Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Kuwait Posts: 37 iTrader: (0)	Yes that's more like it now. Here in Kuwait we don't use diesel. Now we are going to have it
	0

02-24-2011, 06:22 PM	#12
-=Hot\|Ice=- Been There, Done That. Drives: 2013 BMW M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Maryland Posts: 4,727 iTrader: (0)	What are the power train figures on the car, again?
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02-24-2011, 06:28 PM	#13
E39hijinks EUROFTW Drives: E30 E36 E46 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 184 iTrader: (0)	I like how all of you are sitting behind a computer screen giving orders to BMW headquarters on how to market and produce their cars. Stunning!
	0

02-24-2011, 06:55 PM	#17
Cornhusker Lieutenant Drives: 335i Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Nebraska Posts: 403 iTrader: (1)	It could be pretty amazing if it's still super light and they use the new 245hp (or better) 2.0L turbo in combo with the electric for 320+ hp.... MPG could still be 50+, right?
	0

02-24-2011, 07:40 PM	#20
JoeyFiasco Major Drives: '09 Coupe Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: P'boro, UK Posts: 1,211 iTrader: (0)	come on guys. if you can afford this car, i am sure you are not worried about fuel costs. the point of the concept was to develop BMW's efficiency technology initiatives and PR. the idea of the production car, is to make money for BMW.
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