German magazine Sport Auto takes the new BMW i8 to Hockenheimring for an instrumented test.
Christian Gebhardt in his BMW i8 recorded a lap time of 1.15.0 min, comparable to a Porsche Boxster (1.14.9 min) and Jaguar F-Type (1.15.2 min). BMW 435i Coupe with M Sport Package and M performance tuning recorded a Hockenheim lap time of 1: 17.4 minutes. By comparison, the new BMW M4 Coupe showed a lap time of 1:12.8 minutes.
Even though BMW never claimed that the i8 is a track-oriented vehicle, judging by this video, it does quite well on the track.
BMW i8 uses a plug-in hybrid system consisting of a turbocharged three-cylinder BMW TwinPower Turbo petrol engine and BMW eDrive technology in the form of an electric drive system. The 1.5-liter combustion engine develops 170 kW/231 hp and drives the rear wheels of the BMW i8, while the 96 kW/131 hp electric drive sends its power to the front wheels and allows an all-electric range of up to 35 kilometers (22 miles) and a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph).
Here is the video:
