• A limited production model offering more individuality to the already successful BMW i8.• Top speed of 155mph, yet 49g/km and 134.5mpg.•
Last year, global sales of the BMW i8 exceeded the combined figure of all other hybrid sports cars produced by other manufacturers*; 5,456 units of the i8, which is powered by the combination of a three-cylinder turbocharged engine and an electric drive system, were sold worldwide in 2015. The car’s innovative plug-in hybrid technology delivers system output of 266 kW/362 hp (fuel consumption combined: 2.1 l/100 km [134.5 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 49 g/km)**. The BMW i8 is about to add further lustre to its appeal with exclusive special-edition models poised to be unveiled for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show. The new arrivals present customers with even more ways to own a very individual car.
BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition will be built in Leipzig from July.
The first in this line of special-edition models is the BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition. Like those set to follow in its tyre tracks, it is only available for a limited period. This take on the 2+2-seater with carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell and efficient BMW eDrive drive system technology will be produced at BMW Plant Leipzig from July; it sports a Protonic Red paint finish with accents in Frozen Grey metallic. 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: 215/45 R20, rear: 245/40 R20). Inside the inaugural special-edition i8, red double-stitching and applications in high-grade carbon fibre and ceramic provide indications of its exceptional sporting character.
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 23 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
Last year, global sales of the BMW i8 exceeded the combined figure of all other hybrid sports cars produced by other manufacturers*; 5,456 units of the i8, which is powered by the combination of a three-cylinder turbocharged engine and an electric drive system, were sold worldwide in 2015. The car’s innovative plug-in hybrid technology delivers system output of 266 kW/362 hp (fuel consumption combined: 2.1 l/100 km [134.5 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 49 g/km)**. The BMW i8 is about to add further lustre to its appeal with exclusive special-edition models poised to be unveiled for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show. The new arrivals present customers with even more ways to own a very individual car.
BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition will be built in Leipzig from July.
The first in this line of special-edition models is the BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition. Like those set to follow in its tyre tracks, it is only available for a limited period. This take on the 2+2-seater with carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell and efficient BMW eDrive drive system technology will be produced at BMW Plant Leipzig from July; it sports a Protonic Red paint finish with accents in Frozen Grey metallic. 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: 215/45 R20, rear: 245/40 R20). Inside the inaugural special-edition i8, red double-stitching and applications in high-grade carbon fibre and ceramic provide indications of its exceptional sporting character.
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 23 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
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