2018 BMW i8 Coupe – The Sports Car of the Future. 2018 BMW i8 Coupe – Interior and Exterior.
Like the new BMW i8 Coupe, the new BMW i8 Roadster is based on the LifeDrive vehicle architecture with aluminium chassis and carbon-fibrereinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell. The further optimised BMW eDrive technology employed in both models comprises a high-voltage battery with significantly expanded cell capacity and energy content, and an electric motor generating a higher peak output. The result is a noticeable increase in dynamic performance, operating range and the amount of driving possible using purely the electric drive system.
The proportions, lines and surface design mark out both the BMW i8 Coupe and BMW i8 Roadster as belonging to a new breed of sports car. On an individual level, the BMW i8 Coupe stands out as an extremely sporty 2+2 seater, while the BMW i8 Roadster oozes all the freedom of open-top motoring for two. The two models sport “Coupe” or “Roadster” lettering respectively on their C-pillars. The choice of exterior paint finishes now includes the new E-Copper metallic and Donington Grey metallic shades.
CFRP is also used to manufacture the side skirts with their extra-large crosssection. Additional struts and panels in the front and rear axles also help to maximise the body’s rigidity. The unladen weight of the new BMW i8 Roadster stands at 1,595 kilograms, meaning the design’s inherent weight penalty vis-à-vis the Coupe is limited to around 60 kilograms, a remarkably low figure for an open-top car.
Rigorously further developed BMW eDrive technology and the optimised operating strategy of the intelligent energy management lead to a significant increase in the number of driving situations where the electric motor can be solely responsible for powering the car. This underscores the groundbreaking character of the new BMW i8 Coupe and ensures that drivers of the new BMW i8 Roadster can enjoy silent and locally emission-free open-top motoring to the full.
In the standard driving mode, the new BMW i8 Coupe and new BMW i8 Roadster can be driven exclusively on the electric motor alone – from step-off to a speed of 105 km/h, which is up from 70 km/h in the original i8. The combustion engine is only brought into play at higher speeds or when the driver stamps down hard on the accelerator, and is switched off again far more frequently when a measured driving style is maintained. Pressing the eDrive button allows both models to travel at up to 120 km/h on electric power alone. The electric range of the new BMW i8 Coupe in the NEDC test cycle has increased to 55 kilometres (34 miles) and the new BMW i8 Roadster posts a figure of 53 kilometres (33 miles).
The internal combustion engine has also undergone further optimisation to ready it for the new BMW i8 Coupe and new BMW i8 Roadster. The threecylinder unit extracts maximum output of 170 kW/231 hp from its displacement of just 1.5 litres, along with peak torque of 320 Nm (236 lb-ft). In the process, it generates an even sportier soundtrack. A particulate filter is now fitted to further reduce emissions by absorbing the particulate matter contained in the exhaust gases.
The system output produced by the electric motor and engine acting in unison is now 275 kW/374 hp. The new BMW i8 Coupe accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, while the new BMW i8 Roadster takes a tick longer with a time of 4.6 seconds. Both models have an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.
The electric motor’s power is transmitted to the front wheels and the engine’s drive to the rear wheels, resulting in a hybrid-specific all-wheel-drive system that is controlled by the car’s intelligent energy management. In hybrid mode, the electric motor provides a power boost to assist the engine when the driver is accelerating with particular vigour. It is also able to recuperate energy and feed it to the high-voltage battery on the overrun and under braking. The petrol engine’s high-voltage starter-generator can likewise generate additional reserves of electricity, thereby ensuring sufficient energy is on tap at all times for the electric drive system in the new BMW i8 Coupe and new BMW i8 Roadster.
The new BMW i8 Coupe and new BMW i8 Roadster come with Carpo interior trim as standard, comprising full-leather upholstery in Ivory White for the Coupe and Ivory White/Black for the Roadster. As well as Halo interior trim, the list of optional extras also includes new Accaro interior trim with an Amido/E-Copper colour scheme. Standard specification also includes features such as a leather sports steering wheel with multifunction buttons and shift paddles, electrically adjustable and heated seats, the multifunctional instrument display, the Driving Assistant including Surround View, the BMW Display Key and the Navigation system Professional. The main menu in the Control Display is now presented in the form of horizontally arranged tiles with a live mode.
