[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

New Limited Edition BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition

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BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition at 2016 Geneva Auto Show

The following is a press release intended for the UK market, but the U.S. will also be receiving the BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition.

First showcased as the Vision EfficentDynamics concept at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009, the production ready BMW i8 has gone from strength to strength with over 5,400 units sold in 2015 alone. With its clever hybrid drivetrain, the i8 boasts an output of 362hp and can also cover close to 22 miles in electric only mode. It also takes BMW’s EfficientDynamics philosophy to a new high, posting emissions of just 59g/km and a combined consumption figure of 113mpg in the process.

Available for a limited period only, the new special edition BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition puts a new angle on the immediately recognisable BMW i model. The paintwork, created exclusively for this sports car comes in a Protonic Red finish with Frozen Grey metallic accents. The colour scheme is complemented by BMW W-spoke 470 light-alloy wheels painted in Orbit Grey metallic with hubs painted in Aluminium matt and mixed-size tyres (front: 215 R20, rear: 245/40).

On the interior, the special edition i8 comes with high-class red double-stitching and exclusive carbon fibre and ceramic trims. The exterior and interior design of the i8 are heavily influenced by its LifeDrive architecture and pioneering BMW eDrive system, however its reinterpretation of established design features ensures it’s still recognisable as a BMW.

The structure of overlapping and interlocking surfaces also contributes to the unmistakable appearance of the BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition. This layering principle allows aerodynamic forms to be wrapped up in a progressively styled package, while powerfully formed wheel arches draw attention to the wide track of the BMW i8. The dihedral doors open forwards and upwards, adding intrigue to the sports car design of the BMW i8.

The BMW i8 was purposefully-designed as a plug-in-hybrid sports car offering agile performance, near 50:50 weight distribution and outstanding efficiency. It starts with an exceptionally lightweight and aerodynamically optimised body – including a passenger cell made from CFRP. It includes an advanced BMW eDrive drive system technology, a compact, highly turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and intelligent energy management to all come together to create an overall package that represents a new landmark in the EfficientDynamics development strategy.

The original i8 was also the first BMW production model to be powered by a three-cylinder petrol engine. This turbocharged unit is equipped with the latest-generation BMW TwinPower Turbo technology with high-precision injectors positioned between the valves, along with VALVETRONIC. This 1.5-litre engine in the BMW i8 develops 231hp and drives the rear wheels, while a maximum torque of 320Nm is available from 3,700rpm.

The car’s second power source is a 96 kW/131hp hybrid synchronous electric motor which sends its power to the front axle. The motor develops 250Nm torque from a standstill. As well as providing a power boost to assist the petrol engine during acceleration, the electric motor can also power the vehicle by itself with a range in everyday driving of up to 22 miles and a top speed of 75mph on electric power alone, drawing its energy from a lithium-ion battery. The high-voltage battery has a liquid cooling system, offers a maximum usable capacity of five kilowatt hours and can be recharged from a conventional household power socket, at a BMW i Wallbox or at a public charging station.

The combustion engine and electric motor, battery pack, power electronics, chassis components, and structure and crash functions are arranged together in the aluminium Drive module, while the central element of the Life module is the 2+2-seater’s CFRP passenger cell.

The battery unit is positioned low down in a central position, helping to give the car a low centre of gravity and enhance safety accordingly. Indeed, the centre of gravity of the BMW i8 is less than 460mm from the ground, making it lower than any other current BMW Group model. And this, like the car’s almost exact 50:50 weight distribution, ensures excellent handling properties.

Dr. Ian Robertson, BMW AG Board Member for Sales and Marketing said: “The success of the BMW i8 speaks for itself, it is already the world’s most successful hybrid sports car and has comfortably exceeded our own expectations. I can think of no better illustration of the relevance of our young BMW i brand.”

The BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition will be produced at BMW Plant Leipzig from July onwards and will officially be on sale from September, 2016 priced at £112,535 OTR.

[professor_yo]

Looks good. But I've kinda grown akin to the blue....

[GOLFFRR]

Im sure this will look stunning in person

[FAK3]

Looks very collegiate. Go Badgers!

[deemo319]

That looks very cool, but where are the pictures of the interior?

[YungDro]

thread closed....

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

Im sure this will look stunning in person

Every iteration of this car does. My wife was meh about it until one pulled up next to her here in Manhattan. Her mind was blown after that. All I said was, "I told ya so."

http://jalopnik.com/ten-cars-that-lo...ure-1695478403

[IB M]

Very nice.

[Das Johnson]

Woah. Call the fire department!

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Das Johnson

Woah. Call the fire department!

OMG A RED BMW

[raysspl]

Good gawd! I've been contemplating of buying a used i8 & getting it painted some red color but now I can just get this!

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by YungDro

stick that 600bhp V12 into an i8 body

Yeah boyyyyyyy !!!!!!!

[JustChris]

Nice change to all the blue and whites.

BMW needs more red options across the range

[E90M3JETS]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

Every iteration of this car does. My wife was meh about it until one pulled up next to her here in Manhattan. Her mind was blown after that. All I said was, "I told ya so."

http://jalopnik.com/ten-cars-that-lo...ure-1695478403

Despite the looks units keep piling up at dealerships across the US. My dealer has 8 prior year models in stock and it is already February...

[GOLFFRR]

Originally Posted by E90M3JETS

Despite the looks units keep piling up at dealerships across the US. My dealer has 8 prior year models in stock and it is already February...

8! wow thats a lot. Ours seem to go in phases. We currently have 2 which is the most we have ever had. maybe the weather out there where you are is impacting the sales to a degree.

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Chris10Bimmers

Nice change to all the blue and whites.

BMW needs more red options across the range

I would never buy a red car, but it's painfully obvious to me as well.

Since this paint will be in the booth at Leipzig, I highly recommend some get splashed on an M2 or M2 CSL for fun ..

[RingMeister01]

Originally Posted by YungDro

stick that 600bhp V12 into an i8 body

This needs to happen

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by RingMeister01

This needs to happen

Yeah but it will not unfortunately.

[vladberca]

Still 2 pics instead of the entire gallery seen on other sites...

[Rennsport3.2]

I'm excited to see real photos of this thing. I saw a blue one, along with two grey ones, at my local dealership. These things really pop in brighter colors.

[M6-Coupe]

Originally Posted by YungDro

stick that 600bhp V12 into an i8 body

No need to that 600 hp V12. 600 hp V8TT S63tu will be more efficient...

[Aye-eight]

Originally Posted by GOLFFRR

8! wow thats a lot. Ours seem to go in phases. We currently have 2 which is the most we have ever had. maybe the weather out there where you are is impacting the sales to a degree.

Huh huh huh. He said "degree". In Chicago. Huh huh huh huh.