NEW DELHI: BMW is geared up to take luxury and performance on new heights with i8. The car from BMW that has been testing patience of Indian auto buffs since its first appearance at Auto Expo 2014 is finally ready to hit domestic market. The carmaker is all set to launch its futuristic i8 supercar on February 18 in the country and perhaps already figured out all the equations to beat every contender in the segment. The car is claimed to be the first plug-in hybrid supercar in India and will soon be followed by its younger sibling i3 sometime in later part of this year. The imminent i8 will be the first “I” car from BMW to enter on Indian Territory and will be brought here via CBU route. Keeping in mind its high demand across the globe, Indian market will initially be pleased with only limited units.
Mechanically, the hybrid super car as the name suggest, gets under its hood both fuel engines and electric motor to obtain power. The front wheels of the car are powered by a 131 PS electric motor, while rear wheels get momentum from a 1.5 litre three cylinder twin scroll turbo engine that churns out 231PS of power. The combine output from electric motor and gasoline engine reaches to 362 PS and 570 Nm peak torque. Though from a supercar perspective, this engine might seem a smaller one but still BMW i8 can leave many of its rivals behind in the dust. In the combined mode, the car is potent enough to attain the top thump of 250kmph and can reach 60kmph from standstill in just 4.4 seconds. If only electric mode of the car is used, it is capable to get a maximum speed of 120 kmph. Even having such performance on tap, i8 is a surprisingly fuel efficient car with a claimed mileage of 48 kmpl. Built largely on carbon fibre, and despite having a large battery and engine, the car weighs just 1,490 kg carrying a very low centre of gravity.
Not only the power and performance, but the exteriors and design of i8 will wonder you for sure. Unlike any car in the segment, the i8 is designed in a way to appeal even in its standing still view. It is quite apparent from the looks of the i8 that it is futuristic in each and every way. Based on BMW’s vision efficient Dynamics concept, this car has surely a list of jaw-dropping attributes that include scissor doors and laser headlights. The typical BMW touch with kidney grille edged by sharp headlights offers an eye-pleasing sight on every head looking at it. The aggressive stance with muscular frame and wide track amalgamates well enough with the wheel arch. The cool factor in this car comes in the form of wing like doors.
Coming to the interiors, they are made to substantiate the actual glimpse of futuristic elements incorporated in this car. The colour-changing lighting pattern of the dashboard along with all digital-driver- cockpit will give you the feeling that you are driving in an extra-terrestrial vehicle. It also comes with head-up display that shows vital information about the journey on the windscreen.
In another aspect, it also comes with flying colours. BMW i8 is claimed to emit only 59g/km of CO and that is because of highly functioning electric motor housed in the car. As far as pricing of this first supercar from BMW’s stable in India is concerned, it is likely to be priced around Rs. 1.5–2 crore. At Auto Expo, i8 earned accolades from Indian auto buffs and now with most of its details uncovered, we can only say that wait is not too long.
