It has been called the world’s most advanced car. The BMW i8 is the German automaker’s vision of the future that encapsulates aluminum carbon fiber construction wrapped around a turbocharged 1.5-liter three cylinder engine paired with an electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack. This 357 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque hybrid system can catapult the sleek, low body of the i8 to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds and continues onward to a top speed of 155 mph.
Three years ago the i8 Spyder concept appeared at the auto shows. According to a recent interview with the new BMW chief executive officer Harald Kruger, the executive apparently confirmed the i8 Spyder concept will finally head to the production line. Kruger was actually evasive on specific details and he only let slip the model would head to the factory relatively soon – we have no idea what timing they’re considering but it could be an auspicious period during next year as almost two years have passed since the automaker started delivering the first i8 coupe units to its clients.
More questions abound as to how much of the concept will match to the actual production model, since the Spyder prototype featured a semi-transparent bonnet, an open top body and a sloped windscreen with an integrated spoiler – there was also a stylish rear and a shorter wheelbase.
We do imagine the i8 coupe’s plug-in hybrid powertrain will be in effect – using the same 1.5-liter TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack.
Sources: Handelsblatt and Autovisie
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