Design Year Book

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BMW i8 Posted: 19 Apr 2012 08:52 AM PDT A sneak peak into BMW i8 hybrid sportcar which will be launched in 2014. These rendering by Sonny Lim show the i8 with a slightly shorter wheelbase and overall length to reduce weight and to emphasize its sporting & sustainability credentials. The power output of the production version will be around 399 PS (293kW). The plug-in hybrid powertrain features a gasoline combustion engine driving the rear wheels and a front electric motor fed by a lithium-ion battery that can be recharged from any domestic power socket. The battery charge time is estimated at 1.45 hours. The electric motor will be responsible for 172 PS (127 kW) with the rest coming from the 1.5L turbocharged three-cylinder unit. The combined peak torque is rated at 550 Nm(406 lb-ft). The i8 will offer three driving modes: electric, petrol and a combination of the two. The powertrain will be paired with a four-speed transmission which has been designed to extend the performance range of the sports car. This enables it to drive on 3 liter per 100 km (78 MPG) with a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). Sustainability plays a paramount role in the BMW i concept. It is an issue that runs like a thread throughout the value chain – all the way from purchasing, through development and production to sales and marketing. And when it comes to the efficient manufacturing of its vehicles, BMW i goes a step further still. The Leipzig production plant will see an additional 70% reduction in water use and 50% drop in energy consumption per vehicle over the years ahead. And the energy that is used will be sourced 100% from renewable sources.  + Sonny Lim

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