BMWBLOG sat down for an interview with Henrik Wenders, BMW i8 Product Manager. Some of the topics covered were the 0 to 60 times for all i8 driving modes, battery technology and safeguards, e-motors, regenerative braking and much more.
BMW i8 goes on sale in 2014 with a world debut next month in Frankfurt. The primarily market for the hybrid sportscar will be the U.S. customer and pricing will be determined by the market.
The second model to emerge under the BMW i sub-division is a spun off the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept shown in 2009. Just like the i3 recently unveiled, the BMW i8 makes extensive use of carbon fiber and will bring the performance of a sportscar to a hybrid vehicle.
The BMW i8’s plug-in hybrid system is specific to this model. A 1.5 liter three-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology is combined with an electric drive system and a lithium-ion battery which can be recharged at a standard household power socket. The 231 hp (170 kW) gasoline engine sends its power to the rear wheels, while the 131 hp (96 kW) electric motor powers the front wheels.
This configuration offers all-electric driving capability with a range of up to approx. 22 miles (35 kilometers) and a top speed of approximately 75 mph (120 km/h).
Here is the video interview:
Audio by SHURE FP Wireless Mic
