BMW i EfficientDynamics - i3 confirmed to be a RWD, Mid-Engine car.

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It's perhaps worth pointing out that a carbon fibre, aluminium and plastic composite vehicle probably won't need scrapping as soon as a conventional vehicle anyway, at least in terms of the rust issues that kill regular cars.

Crashes are a different matter obviously. I'd be intrigued to see the drivetrain longevity of something like the i8 too. There's no reason a fairly small three-cylinder can't last absolutely yonks, particularly one with electric assistance taking some of the strain out of it, but then the i8's 3-pot is quite powerful (presumably highly tuned) too.
 
Just took a flight from Hamburg airport and the first thing that I saw after passing through the airport security was a BMW i8 on display! That car looks awesome on pictures but in real life it's even better :drool:
 
I've seen a handful of i3's out on the road - split evenly between the orange available and the more commonly-pictured silver/black combo - and they look insanely modern out in traffic. Have only seen one i8, but absolutely agree with @eran0004; it looks incredible. Much better than it did sitting on a stand at an autoshow.

Still not sure if I like it as much as the original 2009 concept, though.
 
I'm just worried the styling will not age well. The i8 will, the i3, not so sure. It's a tad too... modern, futuristic, I guess.
 
-Fred-
I'm just worried the styling will not age well. The i8 will, the i3, not so sure. It's a tad too... modern, futuristic, I guess.
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It depends how many of them they sell, I suspect. If it always sells in relatively modest numbers then it will always be a shock whenever you see one, and the design will keep its impact for much longer. If they're everywhere though, it might go the way of the first-gen Audi TT, which all too quickly became part of the furniture. Still a great looking car, but no longer eye-catching.
 
High performance i8 supercar , called i8S may have 500 HP.

Automobile mag
BMW will launch a new green supercar -- aptly codenamed M100. Almost certain be badged i8S, the new supercar is not merely an engineering showpiece but a proper production model.

Although it is loosely based on the BMW i8, the flagship coupe features so many bespoke parts that it could almost be described as a new car. The life module and the drive module -- the carbon fiber upper and the aluminum-intensive chassis -- will be retained, but the individual elements are more comprehensively integrated, the material mix is even more diverse, and the revised packaging eliminates the token rear seats in favor of a bigger luggage bay, sources say.

Also on the to-do list is a firmer, reworked suspension along with stronger brakes and wider tires. Even though the new car bears a certain resemblance to the i8, we expect that it will sport an even more dynamic look as well as more aggressive aerodynamic aids.

the new flagship’s gas-electric powertrain reportedly will boast a combined output in excess of 500 hp, with torque of around 500 lb-ft. Why can’t we be more specific? Because right now, the new mid-engine plug-in supercar is still being evaluated in two different configurations. One features a twin-turbo 2.0-liter four rated at approximately 320 hp; the other one boasts a 3.0-liter straight-six good for close to 480 hp.

Although the curb weight of the S model is bound to exceed the 3,455 pounds recorded for the i8, the extra 150-plus horses should nonetheless provide a clear performance advantage. The top speed may again be limited to 155 mph, but the 0-62 mph acceleration is said to improve from 4.1 to 3.5 seconds.

Since strong demand suggests that BMW could have charged more for the base i8 then $136,62 , the i8S will likely carry a 30 percent premium over its sibling. Look for it to reach showrooms in late 2017.
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Automobile mag
 
Personally I hope they make the 3 Litre fit! 600hp sounds good to me... 480 plus a couple of e-motors should be good, plus the i8 already weighs less than the likes of the R8, so additional material engineering should offset any major differences in drivetrain weight.

Either way, it should be good. There'll always be an element that will harp on about the V10's etc, but given the feedback the i8 has already gained... to now kick that up a notch in performance will be awesome.

.. if it happens.
 
i5 is expected in 2017, i1 closer to 2020. In the mean time the electrification of many models will commence. The X5 eDrive should be unveiled soon, and most forthcoming BMW's will have hybrid power trains available. The options for the use of CFRP will be spread throughout the range, the next 7-er will be the first candidate for decent weight loss... though it is a 7 series, so it'll probably weigh quite a bit.

edit: with cars like the Tesla P85D weighing over 2200 kgs, shouldn't be too hard to stay a head of the game.

edit 2: shouldn't overlook the appointment of Ferrari and Audi people at BMW.
 
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Saw an i8 yesterday, very nice. I was waiting at a roundabout A6/B645 as it went across, only a couple of seconds glimpse at it, was white with the carbon/grey ducts/aero just like the promo shots I've seen.

Living near Evo HQ I suspect they either have a long term test one or were on their way to Bedford aerodrome for some fun. Not sure where the nearest charge point is but it could explain them taking the boring A6 instead of their usual back roads. Or does it have a petrol motor too? If so they could have been filling up on Shell Nitro+.
 
The i3 is popping up more and more here, but sjeez, that thing is hideous in real life.
 
I think they're amazingly weird looking. Love it. I haven't seen any on the road yet but a buddy of mine went on a media drive and said the car was great. Pretty quick too.
 
gnorman
Living near Evo HQ I suspect they either have a long term test one or were on their way to Bedford aerodrome for some fun. Not sure where the nearest charge point is but it could explain them taking the boring A6 instead of their usual back roads. Or does it have a petrol motor too? If so they could have been filling up on Shell Nitro+.
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The i8 is a hybrid, so they might have been filling up.

I've only seen one i8 and a few i3's so far, but they look pretty cool on the road. While I wouldn't describe the i3 as attractive, it certainly stands out. Hopefully it keeps that 'futuristic' look as it gets older and potentially becomes more common. I love how the i8 looks though. I will be interested to see how much of the technology does trickle down into the other models though. The next gen (G11) 7er is already confirmed to be using CFRP in quite a few areas, but I'm more interested to see how (or if) some of the hybrid tech might trickle down. Especially into the M's.
 
I absolutely love the look of the i3, it's so cool and different. I've not seen an i8 but I'm dying to, as I think it's one of the most dramatic looking cars on sale. I'd wager that it's much nicer looking in person than, say, a McLaren P1.
 
I think the overal shape of the i3 is great!

The details and the lack of color choices are what i believe to be the most frustrating decisions from BMW.

Despite it all, i would totally buy/lease this car if i didnt already have a Bmw...

As for the i8, not only it is out of my price range, it is also ugly IMO.
I saw it IRL once or twice... But other than the uniqueness and beyond the wow factor, if this came out of another brand, i think people wouldnt be so kind to its look.

I know the kind of technology that was brought with the cars are breakthrough, but it doesnt prevent them from being "ugly".

I really hope the i5 wont be so much a torture to look at...
I am looking forward to the i5, especially if it will be a bigger i3 or mini MPV, something BMW is missing in their line up...

The BOLT from GM will be on sale next year, and the model 3 will also be revealed then... Small market, but Tough competition ...

My heart is already divided and none of the cars ar here yet.
 
CTznOfTime
... or mini MPV, something BMW is missing in their line up...
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In Europe there is the 225ex... it's only a PHEV but it can run on electricity alone for a limited range.

BMW-Leipzig-225xe-production-4.jpg
 
I like the 2GT cars, but i think BMW was right for not bringing it to the US... Otherwise i think it would have brought the image of BMW down a bit... (Not that the 3 series isnt already doing that...)

An i5 "MPV" would totally be "inline" with the "premium" image of the brand...

But i can already see the Model 3 biting a huge share of that market, so BMW will need to be extra careful in its decision... Being sandwiched between the "accessible" Bolt and the highly anticipated and desirable Model 3... (new 3 electrified version of the BMW 3 series done by Tesla?)

... Exciting times!
 
The 2 Active Tourer is a mini MPV, especially the bigger version and they're anything but in line with the brand. The 2-series is either a FWD box, associated with a 3 and five door rear wheel drive hatch or a coupe/cabriolet. Not the sign of a harmonious range.
 
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MatskiMonk
That's odd. Unveiling in the next 13 months but they're still deciding on what it should be? I know they said that the life drive architecture shortens development time but still..
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When they say "unveiling" I wonder whether that'll be of a concept, rather than a production model - just as the i3 and i8 were previewed a few years before production.
 
I would hazard the guess that BMW already has a few different i cars partially developed with early mockups and test articles, and they are just deciding which of the various internal concepts will be unveiled as the i5.
 
Wouldn't fancy being in either... i8 mess possibly easier to clean up :lol:

Nice insurance claim for the underwriters.
 

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