No longer a mere vision for the future of sustainable mobility, the stunning two-door BMW i8 sports coupe is the reality combining exceptional performance and driving dynamics, benchmark fuel efficiency, advanced next generation materials and construction, together with premium luxurious features and finishes to create a new halo sports flagship for the BMW i brand.
The BMW i8 is the ultimate expression of the brand’s ‘i philosophy’. At its core this philosophy has two central elements – design or ‘that thing they call LifeDrive architecture’ and sustainability or ‘that thing they call advanced plugin hybrid power’. BMW are standing strong behind the premium design and innovative technology they’re renowned for plus a future focussed ethos for sustainability and lessening the global and ethical impact of their product – admirable. The i8 is not only a remarkable piece of luxury design and performance technology, but it is the end product of a highly considered production process that has sustainability at its heart at every single step of the process from conception to showroom floor. If only other car manufacturers would follow suit…
Allow me to escort you on a chauffered drive to see exactly what uber-tech-meets-premium-style features make up a $299,000 car? Mind your head though, this baby is low to the ground…
Fast & Furious(ly) Stylish
First of course, is the custom made Louis Vuitton luggage worth $25K. Oh wait, actually we’ll come back to that and save the best ’til last. First, is way the i8 looks – nothing short of stunning sports coupe design aesthetic that reflects the advanced and futuristic nature of the technology. The low wide stance is emphasised by the broad BMW kidney grille and trademark BMW i U-shaped LED headlights while in profile, the BMW i8 is classically proportioned for dynamic expression with long scissor-wing doors that open forwards and upwards and wheel-arch filling 20-inch alloys.
Inside, the future focussed design continues with a sleek trim package options for the 2+2 cabin and a focus on sustainability with its leather seats tanned using an environmentally-friendly olive leaf extract and various trim materials made from recycled products.
Reflecting the layered design of the exterior, the cabin of the BMW i8 features a broad sweeping instrument panel and center console with all controls including the iDrive controller, falling easily to hand with all information relayed through a large freestanding display atop the center console.
As one would expect of a premium sports car, the BMW i8 is fully equipped for comfort and convenience with standard features including keyless Comfort Access, Navigation System Professional, 11-speaker Harman Kardon HiFi audio system, power heated front seats, multi-function sport leather steering wheel, dual zone climate control, cruise control, automatic windscreen wipers and lights and full Voice Control and Bluetooth connectivity for smartphones. Speaking of connectivity, in delivering the car for the future, the i8 is always fully connected for convenience. It features a full suite of BMW Connected Drive functions such as internet access, Concierge Services, Real-Time Traffic Information, BMW Online services and the ability to open or lock the doors or precondition the climate control remotely through the BMW i Remote App.
Safety comes in the form of the ultra-strong rigid CFRP passenger cell, while the BMW i8 also features a vast array of standard safety equipment including six airbags, Dynamic Stability Control, Park Distance Control, camera-based Driving Assistant system and Head-up Display. A safety feature that really caught my attention was the ConnectedDrive’s intelligent system that provides automatic emergency calls to the BMW ConnectedDrive Call Centre in the event of an accident.
Driving Sustainability (Stylishly) Into The NOW!
While the lightweight advanced materials, innovative construction and aerodynamic design contribute greatly to the outstanding performance and sustainability of the BMW i8, at the heart of its efficiency is the sophisticated plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Here are some impressive stats. This advanced technology starts with a 170kW/320Nm 1.5-litre BMW TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder petrol internal combustion engine that drives the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.
Driving the front wheels, and effectively acting as a 4WD, is the BMW i8’s second power source, a 96kW/250kW BMW eDrive electric motor that runs through a two-stage automatic transmission that draws its energy from a 355 volt, six-module lithium-ion battery pack.
Aside from being super energy efficient, this means that with combined outputs of both the power units the BMW i8 can sprint from 0-100kmh in just 4.4 seconds before reaching a limited top speed of 250kmh.
At the same time, driving on electric power alone, the BMW i8 can travel up to 37km completely emission free while the fuel consumption on the EU test cycle is a mere 2.1l/100km that produces just 49g/km of CO2. Also watching out for your energy consumption, is a sophisticated powertrain control system, which offers a choice of five different modes of driving that determine which power source is used and when.
And if that’s not enough…
While shelling out a cool $299,000 for a car is nothing to sneeze into your silk hankie about, the purchase of such a premium machine does, of course, entitle you to some rather lovely exclusive extras. In addition to driving the most progressive sports car ever, owners of BMW’s i8 will also have exclusive access to the range of services under the 360 ELECTRIC program. This includes the assessment of premises and installation of the optional BMW i Wallbox Pure charging unit.
Unlike other electric cars, the battery of the BMW i8 can be charged from a standard domestic power outlet but using the Wallbox unit reduces the charging time from about two hours and 30 minutes to just one hour and 45 minutes. Under the 360 ELECTRIC program, the BMW i8 can also be charged at public charging facilities run by BMW partner ChargePoint using the ChargeNow card for cashless payments.
Other benefits of the program include access to Flexible Mobility – which provides a range of services for BMW i8 customers such as provision of conventional BMW hire cars for occassions when they may need a larger vehicle for holidays.
And finally, there’s that Louis Vuitton luggage – WE DIE! Also made from carbon fibre, this innovative collection comprises two travel bags, a business case and a garment bag. To ensure optimal use of space, the luggage has been tailor-made to fit perfectly into the interior of the revolutionary i8 – and WOW does it look the part too. Louis Vuitton has demostrated a similar belief in innovation, aesthetics and lightweight design in this creation. It’s worth $25K, but for you – free gift with purchase!
For more on the Louis Vuitton luggage collection with the BMW i8 click here.
* Manufacturer’s Reccommended List Price is shown and includes GST and Luxury Car Tax (LCT) – if applicable, but excludes dealer charges, stamp duty, statutory charges and on-road charges, which are additional and vary between dealers and States/Territories. Customers are advised to contact their nearest BMW dealer for all pricing inquiries.
