The Germans at BMW released a new video on their official YouTube channel, this time explaining the development of the i8 sports car.

The most potent car within the company’s new “i” range, the BMW i8 sports a plug-in hybrid configuration with a 1.5-liter TwinPower Turbo engine and an electric motor.

This equals to a total output of 362 horsepower and 570 Nm of torque. In order for a hybrid model to be both frugal and sporty, BMW had to focus on efficiency and dynamics.

The low total mass of just 1,490 kilograms is one of BMW’s achievements in making the i8 a true sporty hybrid model. Several wind tunnel tests were conducted in order to improve the drag coefficient for improved fuel consumption figures.

http://youtu.be/1mQhRSH5d9I

Lightweight materials such carbon fiber were used in order to shave extra kilograms. Be sure to check the official video above for an in-depth look at BMW i8’s development.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post How it’s made: BMW i8 explained appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

Are you tired of looking at the outside of the BMW i8 yet? Well, of course you are not, but that doesn’t mean that a nice video of the inner workings isn’t in order.

And that is exactly what BMW did, outlining just a bit of the engineering that went into building the hybrid sportscar.

By now, we already know about what powers the BMW i8. We know that the hybrid solution comes in the form of a front mounted electric motor and a rear mounted gasoline engine. Coupled together, they output some 362 Hp and 570 Nm of torque. The acceleration time to 100 km/h (4.4 seconds) is also not news.

So then, what is the whole point of the video? Apart from a nice, slightly over the top presentation, not much. Sure, it’s nice to see all this information neatly compiled into a smooth video easy to understand, but for those who are interested in the underworkings of the i8 some numbers and graphs are enough.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post BMW i8 performance outlined appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

Last month, the Germans from BMW officially revealed the first two members of the new i family, the new i3 and i8 to be more precise. However, the models were bearing the “Concept” badge which means that the production version of the models in question could suffer some modifications over the vehicles presented at the press conference in Germany. Even so, the German company took out the two eco-friendly vehicles out for a photo shooting somewhere in Chicago, a perfect opportunity to see some real footage with the futuristic looking models.

It is true that we already met the new i3 and i8 models last month as BMW offered a bunch of official photos alongside CGI videos but we never had the opportunity to see these models on the streets.

Well, until now, as a YouTube user decided to film some footage with the new BMW i models and post them in order to see the actual models in action. As you probably know, the first two electric models from BMW are scheduled to debut next month at the Frankfurt Auto Show while they will hit the dealerships and will go on sale in 2013.

The new BMW i3 is a fully electric city car based on the Megacity project, the first model from BMW to offer zero-emission driving. It is powered by an electric motor placed on the rear axle able to offer 170 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque. The engine is coupled to a single-speed gearbox, the acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h being possible in 8 seconds while the top speed is 150 km/h.

The Germans announced a driving range of about 140 km while the lithium-ion battery needs around 6 hours to charge from a standard power socket. On the other hand, the new BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid sports car based on the previous Vision EfficientDynamics concept.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Glxeug4lQaA

The vehicle is powered by a 1.5-liter three-cylinder gasoline unit and an electric motor for a total output of 349 horsepower and 550 Nm of torque. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h is done in less than 5 seconds while the driving range is estimated at around 645 kilometers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1QLktynWAo

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post VIDEO: The new BMW i models spotted in Chicago appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

As you probably know, the Bavarians from BMW already revealed the new i3 and i8 models at a press conference held few days ago. For now, they presented just the concept version of the models in question but in fact they are pre-production vehicles which will suffer only minor modifications as mass production models. The fully electric BMW i3 is scheduled to hit the dealerships in 2013 while the plug-in hybrid BMW i8 sports car will be available later that year or starting 2014.

Today, we will discuss on all the important information we got from BMW since now while in the end of the article we will watch some videos where the Germans both presented and explained the first two models bearing the new i badge.

BMW i3 is an urban model designed powered by an electric motor mounted on the rear axle able to deliver 170 horsepower and 250 Nm of torque. The acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in done is around 8 seconds while the model achieves a top speed of 150 km/h.

Even the model is currently the smallest one in the new i range, it offers a boot capacity of 200 liters and enough space inside for four passengers.

The fully electric i3 can be 100% charged in six hours while using a quick charger it will take just one hour for 80%. The model can run fully electric for 160 kilometers but if you think that this is not enough for you, there is a range extender as optional which will significantly increase the range.

On the other hand, the plug-in hybrid BMW i8 is a more powerful model which enters the sports car segment delivering good performance and impressive fuel efficiency. It comes with a 1.5-liter gasoline engine producing 220 horsepower and 300 Nm of torque alongside a revised version of the electric motor of the i3 for a total output of 349 horses and 550 Nm of torque.

BMW i8 can run fully electric for 32 kilometers while using the hybrid powertrain will significantly increase the driving range. The acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is possible in less than 5 seconds while it achieves a top speed of 250 km/h. Find more about the first two i models from the videos below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-4THnOdk3I

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post VIDEO: BMW reveals the new i3 and i8 Concepts in depth appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

Here is a spy video shot somewhere in Sweden while the Bavarians were testing the capabilities of the new BMW i8 hybrid supercar on some icy roads. This footage is very welcome as it helps us to make an idea on how the new German supercar will look on the road.

If the new member of the i family is very similar to the previous BMW Vision EfficientDynamics in terms of aesthetics, under the bonnet the situation changes a little as the Germans can’t exactly figure out which is the best combination for the hybrid powertrain.

One month ago, Klaus Draeger affirmed that there is possible to see a hybrid powertrain which consists of an electric engine and a petrol unit, dropping the idea of using a diesel propeller which provides a better fuel consumption.

He argued this decision as the new BMW i8 wants to be a global model and the petrol engine will fit better on certain markets. However, according to some very recent statements, Ian Robertson declared that is not that needed to offer just a petrol engine under the bonnet and using a diesel unit is still very possible.

Spy Shots: Worldcarfans
Spy Video: Pistonspy

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post VIDEO: BMW testing the limits of the new i8 on ice appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

As we previously set, BMW will introduce most probably by 2013 the first two models bearing the new i electric badge.

We talk about BMW i3, a three-door four-seater city model that will benefit from a lightweight aluminum structure and most probably is the model associated with the MegaCity project. From the first details, the electric engine that will propel the new BMW i3 benefits from a rear-wheel drive system, is fitted with lithium-ion batteries and is able to develop around 170 horsepower.

What is interesting is that the electric unit one the new i3 will be placed somewhere in the rear, the battery pack being able to offer you a driving range of 160 kilometers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zOri1pnUiM

The new i3 and i8 will benefit from BMW’s LifeDrive system including a carbon fiber cell and an aluminum chassis. About the new i8, the things get more clear as the well-known BMW Vision EfficientDynamics is actually the new i8, a vehicle which will be a sporty supercar with an electric engine under the bonnet and a conventional one having the mission to charge the batteries.

The new BMW i3 will also benefit from a special version that will have an extra conventional engine which will significantly increase the driving range if you consider that the standard model does not provide enough autonomy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPhRITdnrhE

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post Extra details for the first BMW i models + videos appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

As the Germans recently promised, we have some official details regarding the new electric range developed by BMW, information released today, as we expected.

Somewhere in 2013 the first model bearing the i badge, namely i3, will be revealed in a production-ready version. For now we know that the new BMW i3 will be a three-door vehicle with a lightweight aluminum structure. Together with the new electric model, another i model will enter the market around the same date.

We talk about the BMW i8, a model which is inspired by the Vision EfficientDynamics, as we set few months ago when the German supercar was tested in Abu Dhabi. The new electric i range will bear the “Born electric” slogan and the Germans will attack the same premium segment but this time in the electric models area. The Germans will start the production of the i3 and i8, the first models to debut, at the plant in Leipzig. More details and videos coming soon!

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post Official details about BMW’s new i electric sub-brand available now appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.