The globally sold out BMW i8 is launching on the Chinese car market with a base price of $323,000.
The BMW i8 is imported into China and is therefore not eligible for any green-car subsidies.
BMW sees the Chinese car market as one of their biggest sellers for electric and hybrid vehicles and the base i3 also comes with a hefty price: $73,000.
Reports say that the BMW i8 is already sold out in China, not unexpected for a country that has a high rate of millionaires.
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).
In Germany, the BMW i8 starts at €126,000, while in the UK it will cost £ 99,125. The U.S. market will also get the BMW i8 in 2014 at a base price of $135,700. Some U.S. dealerships are selling the i8 way above the listing price.
[Source: CarNewsChina]
