SPY SHOT OF BMW i8

              SPY SHOT OF BMW i8

     

The spy photos of the BMW i8 production prototype model. Seeing first time, this pre-production BMW i8 mule showing the what the i8 will look like with production body parts & styling.

Comparison to i8 Concept Model :

Although this pre-production i8 tracks the concept version's styling generally, as expected, there are some significant changes from the i8 concept model .The front fascia has lost a bit of its shark nose front slant with a new lower front bumper design, which protrudes more than that on the concept. Also, the headlights have been moved forward to the edge of the hood. This comes as no surprise considering the fact that the extremely deeply set headlights on the concept i8 would likely limit the area which the headlights can illuminate.

The hood and windshield are now more traditional and the windshield no longer joins the hood area as it did in the concept version. The doors now appear bigger, come down lower, and are no longer set deeper in than the rest of the car's side body panels. This should allow for much easier ingress/egress than the concept, which, because of its small door opening and thick doorsill, appeared very difficult to climb in and out of. The side view mirrors move from the concept's A-pillar to a traditional location on the doors and the door handles have moved down as well. The rest of the body sculpting on the lower sides of the car thankfully remain very similar to the concept i8.

The rear of the pre-production i8 sees the retention of the concept's shoulder wings and floating tail lights, but the lower part of the rear end is difficult to discern currently as it remains clad in very concealing camouflage. There appears to be several purposely placed camouflage panels to purposely deceive - for example, the two protuding bulbous round lights (which will certainly not be a part of the production car).

The pre-production i8 ditches the futuristic wheels of the concept models in favor of more traditional split-spoke alloy wheels, which appear to be wrapped in much thicker tires than those on the concept models.

A sharkfin atenna is attached to what is likely a carbon fiber roof.

Not much of the interior can be discerned from these photos.

Powertrain & Sales Target :

The concept i8 specs should give a great idea of what to expect for the production i8 model. The concept i8 features a high performance 3-cylinder petrol engine ( 164 kW ) in rear with i3's electric motor ( limited to 96 kW ) in front, resulting in total torque of 550 Nm (300Nm petrol engine + 250 Nm electric motor ).

Here are the concept i8's previously released vitals ( subject to change in the production model, of course ) :

·         3-cylinder petrol engine ( 164kw ) in rear with i3's electric motor  (limited to 96 kW ) in front

·         550 Nm ( 300Nm petrol engine + 250 Nm electric motor )

·         3 driving modes - electric, petrol, or both engines at once

·         1,480 kg

·         0-100kph ( 62mph ): 4.6 seconds

·          Top speed: 250kph  (limited )

·         2.7 L/100km fuel economy

·         35km pure electric range

·         4 seater

·         50:50 distribution

·         When to expect for launch : 2014

Sales and price targets for the i8 are yet undetermined, although it is known that the production i8 will launch in 2014. According to Ian Robertson, BMW’s global sales and marketing boss, "Our sales will strongly depend on legislation. Not only by big markets like the U.S. or China, but by local city authorities and their terms of taxation," Robertson said. "If a city like Amsterdam or London decides that you get a tax reduction, then sales will boost."

The Vision Efficient Dynamics concept on which the i8 is based is currently starring in Mission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol on the big screen.

Source - bimmerpost