The BMW i8 first launched at the Frankfurt’s International Motor Show in 2013. It was BMW’s bid for a cutting-edge sports car that could redefine the environmental trend. This hybrid concept combined the dynamics of a high-performance sports car and the modest gas mileage of a compact car. Along with the compact BMW i3, the i8 carried out BMW’s vision aimed at environmental, economic, and social change worldwide. Six years on, the 2019 BMW i8 is the most expensive hybrid sports car that you can buy. Let’s take a look at what made the car worth as much as $164,295.
What engine is in the BMW i8?
The BMW i8 gets power from the BMW TwinPower Turbo gas engine and the BMW eDrive synchronous electric motor. They are meant to strike an optimum balance between performance and efficiency.
The 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged gas engine produces 228 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. This output goes to the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. On the other hand, the electric motor produces 141 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque which powers the front wheels through a two-stage automatic transmission.
These two power plants have a combined 369 horsepower, which is at par with the output of non-hybrid sports cars. The all-wheel-drive configuration gives you enough grip to feel confident behind the steering wheel.
What are the BMW i8’s driving modes?
The BMW i8’s unique hybrid system offers five driving modes to choose from. The desired settings can be selected using the “Driving Experience Control” switch and “eDrive” button. The hybrid drive allows you to choose from COMFORT, SPORT, or ECO PRO. The all-electric drive offers COMFORT or ECO PRO mode.
The SPORT mode is designed to give robust performance. Both combustion and electric power plants work to produce responsive performance. This mode also activates maximum energy recuperation on overruns and braking, keeping the lithium-ion battery charged. The COMFORT mode balances performance and efficiency. It can be an ideal setting for pleasurable everyday driving. Lastly, the ECO PRO mode is the most fuel-efficient setting. This mode comes along with an activated efficiency gauge.
In the all-electric drive, the BMW i8 can reach a top speed of 75 mph. Once the battery’s energy reserve is nearly depleted, the gas engine will automatically run to provide energy as well. The all-electric drive can also be overridden by stepping on the accelerator aggressively, inducing more horsepower.
Is the BMW i8 a Supercar?
The BMW i8 is not a traditional supercar. Its hybrid powertrain has not been adopted by most sports car manufacturers just yet. However, the BMW i8 already made its presence known in motorsports. BMW’s hybrid sports car was used as a safety car in the FIA Formula E Championship.
The 2015 BMW i8 safety car had 380 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. It could reach a top speed of 155 mph and hit 0 to 60 mph in under 4.4 seconds. Modifications were made on the car to comply with the FIA Formula E requirements. Among those were the certified safety cell, carbon fiber racing seats and center console, six-point seat belt, and interior trim and airbag deletes. The car also adorned the official safety car livery for the Formula E Championship.
During the Formula E events, other eDrive-equipped BMW vehicles were also put into service. These were the BMW C evolution electric scooter (shuttle), BMW X5 xDrive40e (rescue car), and BMW i3 (medical car).
The 2019 BMW i8
The 2019 BMW i8 is offered in Coupe and Roadster variants. Aside from the power-folding soft top, rear seat deletes, and fuel consumption, these two models should perform fairly the same. The $16,000 additional price spells the extra fun you can have with the wind blowing through your hair as you drive the BMW i8.
Here is the rundown of the BMW i8 specs for both the Coupe and Roadster.
| i8 Coupe | i8 Roadster | ||
| Performance | Combined horsepower | 369 hp | 369 hp |
| Combined torque | 420 lb-ft | 420 lb-ft | |
| 0-60 mph | 4.2 seconds | 4.2 seconds | |
| Top speed | 155 mph | 155 mph | |
| eDrive horsepower | 141 hp | 141 hp | |
| eDrive torque | 184 lb-ft | 184 lb-ft | |
| Fuel and Battery | Combined fuel consumption | 131 mpg | 118 mpg |
| Fuel tank capacity | 11.1 gallons | 11.1 gallons | |
| Charging time – Level 2; 0-100% | Approx. 3 hours | Approx. 3 hours | |
| Charging time – DC 50 kW; 0-80% | 2.4 hours | 2.4 hours | |
| Technical Data | Seats | 4 | 2 |
| Curb weight | 3,501 lbs | 3,671 lbs | |
| Cargo capacity | 4.7 cu. ft. | 2.3 cu. ft. | |
| Other features | N/A | Power-folding soft top | |
| Price tag | $148,495 | $164,295 |
BMW’s All-Time High List
The i8 might be BMW’s most expensive hybrid sports car, but if we’re talking about the automaker’s all-time list, the i8 doesn’t even come close.
Here are three of the most expensive BMW cars ever sold as of this writing:
BMW Nazca M12
The Nazca M12 debuted in 1991 and had its curtain call in 1993. As short as that was, the model is considered to be the most expensive BMW model at $3 million.
The fact that only three Nazca M12s were produced definitely jacked up the price, but the model’s production also had a lot to do with the price tag.
Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the Nazca M12 was assembled in Italy with some help from Alpina.
The Nazca M12 could deliver up to 350 hp and reach a top speed of almost 200 mph.
BMW 507
Also sold at $3 million, the 507 is a luxurious roadster that boasts a monstrous, all-aluminum V8 engine that can churn out 150 hp.
When the model was unveiled in 1956, it had a selling price of $9,600. Unfortunately, consumers thought it was too much money to spend on the car, which eventually led to its demise.
Only 252 BMW 507s were produced, two of them belonged to Elvis Presley.
BMW 328
For many BMW enthusiasts, the 328 was the automaker’s saving grace. With over 100 victories under its belt including the 1940 Mille Miglia, the 328 was the model that put BMW on the map.
Soon after, BMW turned into a highly regarded performance and engineering company.
The small roadster had a six-cylinder setup that generated 80 hp, which was considered powerful enough for high-performance cars. It remained a competitive model until the early ‘50s.
The BMW 328 was sold for $1.4 million, and there were only 464 units produced.
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