i8 [Official] BMW i8 World Premiere

[someone1984]

That is really interesting

BMW rules out i M models - report

Executive also downplays the possibility of an M supercar

If you were holding out hope for a BMW i8 M, prepare to be disappointed as BMW's Head of Technology Communications, Cypselus von Frakenberg, has revealed the automaker will keep their two sub-brands separate.
Speaking to Car Advice on the sidelines of the Frankfurt Motor Show, von Frakenberg said “I don’t think that it would make sense to mix these two sub-brands in one car." He added that a joint-model isn't necessary and there will be "no M i-car in the future."
His sentiments were echoed by BMW M's Head of Product Management, Carsten Pries, who told the publication “It’s two different operations, there’s no fluctuation from BMW M to BMW i or any big transfers going the other way."
While we can't expect an i8 M, Pries also downplayed the possibility of an M1 successor by saying "From a model portfolio point of view, from a strategic perspective, you have to wonder how many super sports cars you need."

Source: Car Advice

 

[klier]

Well they're right, it doesn't make sense.

An M with instant torque coming from an electric engine does sound sweet though. Like the P1 and 918.

 

[EnI]

C'mon guys.

The whole i8 LifeDrive platform is tailored to feature e-motor in the nose, and 3-cyl IC engine in the rear. It's even physically impossible - without enormous changes to LifeDrive platform - to incorporate I6 or even V8 IC engine in that car. Not to mention the cardan shaft the 8-speed auto or 7-speed DCT gearbox etc.

i8 is tailored for a hybrid drive featuring small-displacement IC engine.

 

[SCOTT27]

 

[SCOTT27]

C'mon guys.

The whole i8 LifeDrive platform is tailored to feature e-motor in the nose, and 3-cyl IC engine in the rear. It's even physically impossible - without enormous changes to LifeDrive platform - to incorporate I6 or even V8 IC engine in that car. Not to mention the cardan shaft the 8-speed auto or 7-speed DCT gearbox etc.

i8 is tailored for a hybrid drive featuring small-displacement IC engine.

Someone else asked the same question at Miramas. And when explained about the impossibility , still reported anyway.
The i8 is still very much a fast car even with that special three cylinder. This variation is exclusive to the i8 with a detuned version coming to the MINI and BMWs next game changing strategy - FWD.

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[EKaru]

Does anyone have a photo of the trunk in the production model? I cannot find any

 

[SCOTT27]

I'm liking it more and more. And that key is crazy cool.

Will it be possible to get the car like black on black without the blue accents on the outside?
The blue i8 above looks nice! Any real life pics of that color already?

The good thing is that for the i8 and the i3 we will offer a protective cover just like the high end mobile phones.

 

[klier]

Does anyone have a photo of the trunk in the production model? I cannot find any

Not sure there is one, the official drawings show a golfbag on the rear seat...

 

[SCOTT27]

Not sure there is one, the official drawings show a golfbag on the rear seat...

There is a trunk , the rear glass lifts up and there is additional storage space , it is more flat than deep.

OK so a rare moment happened.

 

[Levi68]

^ I like the opening line of the bonet. Why could not the 4 Series be so?

 

[klier]

^ I like the opening line of the bonet. Why could not the 4 Series be so?

The 'G' line will have this again. Look at the G11 spyshots (and the new X5 has it too).

 

[DblPen]

i3 and i8 both have completely different chassis?

 

[Sovereign]

Imo its not the finest of the designs that we saw in concept forms recently from BMW such as the CS but I am warming up to this car. It looks good in dark color and one tone only. The sides still feel quite awkward with the very elaborate line converting into wing / fin shape at the rear. The front is aggressive and sharp but the rear look awkward in the light colors and especially in two tones. It must be a head turner in real life. M1 beautiful it is surely not.

 

[dalab]

I was looking at the pictures full screen all black and I can not believe the beauty of the i8 and is already a reality for sale, ask for the blessed they can go to frankfurt or have seen the production car in person, how it feels to see IRL ? so god than in the pictures?.
Another question, space in the rear seats? comfortable for adults?, only for children?, which one compare in this aspect? 4 series or Porsche 911? is to know the market dimension.

 

[SCOTT27]

I was looking at the pictures full screen all black and I can not believe the beauty of the i8 and is already a reality for sale, ask for the blessed they can go to frankfurt or have seen the production car in person, how it feels to see IRL ? so god than in the pictures?.
Another question, space in the rear seats? comfortable for adults?, only for children?, which one compare in this aspect? 4 series or Porsche 911? is to know the market dimension.

The production car in Frankfurt is very much a sight to behold , like the i3 the i8 is on show in every color . Both the i3 and i8 are in reality futuristic , intricate and even minimalist , very sci-fi. Chris Bangle loves the i3 and the i8 he made favourable comments about their simplicity and the concept of "Next Premium".

Here is a pre-test drive of an adult taking a seat in the rear.

I am not going to lie but the rear seats would be more ideal for kids or extra storage. Or if you know any Contortionists?

 

[Levi68]

IE i8 = 911 in terms of practicality.

 

[SCOTT27]

 

[Wunderkind]

Hi Scott, my eyes tell me the i8's rear seats looks about the same size as the E36 3-series. True?

Any smaller and it's not very useful..............................

 

[chonkoa]

Can someone explain why the more I look at this car the more I think of owning an R8.
I need another drink.

 

[Wunderkind]

I really like the i8. But at the same time, I don't think Mercedes is that far off in hybrid technology. I dare say they are even stevens at this time. The i8 is a technology showcase which BMW has sensibly threw all its resources behind to produce. The electric drivetrain in the electric-only SLS AMG is just as impressive if not better.

I might be wrong, but the system in the electric SLS AMG packs even more energy density and power pound-for-pound. The downside is the price and the long time it takes to charge the batteries.

My other worry for the i8 is how is the three-pot engine going to sound in the high rev's..............hope it doesnt sound like a tractor.