Known as ‘the BMW of the future’, the BMW i8 has finally made its way to South Africa. The BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid sports car, built for comfort, speed and luxury. One could say it is definitely deserving of the title ‘BMW of the future’.
So what exactly is amazing about this beautiful vehicle that you just cannot resist but wonder if you will have the opportunity to drive it one day?
The car has 2+2 seating, 357 horse power and can go up to 249.45 km/h. It has a rear-mid 1.5-litre three-cylinder Twin Power petrol engine that is capable of sending power to the rear wheels in a six-speed automatic gearbox, while the front wheels are churned by the voltage from the electric system.
So indeed this is a vehicle for the future.
The BMW i8 is also equipped with the BMW power train control which ensures that both power sources for the rear wheels and the front wheels are synchronised, allowing your car to move in all- wheel drive when required.
The great thing about this car as mentioned by the manufacture BMW is that it is capable of being driven on just battery power for l35km. If you are one to do a zero-emissions drive, this car will allow you to commute between recharges.
What this means is that the vehicle has extra batteries, but fear not because, in spite of this, the i8 weighs just about 1490kg.
The BMW i8 release is extensive in CFRP, which means that the vehicle is 30% lighter than cars made with aluminium. BMW made use of recycled and natural material to put this car together, making it rather friendly to the environment.
There is just no doubt, the BMW i8 is a ‘sweet’, beautiful and environmentally friendly vehicle.
How much will the BMW i8 cost you in South Africa?
With an estimated price of R1, 450,183, you can be driving this beautiful machine by the end of 2014 or early 2015.
Here are a few BMW i8 specs for all car enthusiasts out there:
Weight:
- Unladed weight in kg (DIN): 1 490/-
- Max. Permissible in weight in kg: 1 855
- Permitted load in kg: 365
- Permitted axle load front/rear in kg: 895/995
Performance
- Top speed fully electric in km/h: 120
- Acceleration from 0–60 km/h on purely electric power in seconds: 4.5
- Acceleration o-100km/h in s: 4.4
- Elasticity from 80-120 km/h in seconds (4th gear): 4.0
- Elasticity from 80-120 km/h in seconds (5th gear): 4.5
For more details on the latest BMW i8 release and price you can visit the BMW website.
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