Spied BMW i8 Mule Looks More Production Ready with Hoffmeister Kink and Other Updates

[Jason]

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Spied BMW i8 Mule Looks More Production Ready with Hoffmeister Kink and Other Updates

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It's been months since we've spied any BMW i8 prototype showing any outwardly noticeable changes, but this i8 mule we spied last week finally shows some changes. We've also posted some photos below of a previous prototype and concept i8, for comparison.

• Classic Hoffmeister kink has now been revealed.
• Kidney grilles now more visible than ever.
• Sideskirts now match the concept i8.
• Side view mirrors are sportier and extend out further, for a more exotic look.
• Door handles have been deleted from the doors and moved to the newly created gap between the rear edge of the door and the rear quarter panel, just like on the i8 Spyder Concept.
• Rear fenders/shoulders and tail lights have been raised for a more aggressive look, to match the look of the i8 Concept.
• Bulbous rear camouflage has been removed, showing much more of production rear's lines and shape.


Powertrain and Sales Target:

The concept i8 specs should give a great idea of what to expect for the production i8 model. The concept i8 features a high performance 3-cylinder petrol engine (164 kW) in rear with i3's electric motor (limited to 96 kW) in front, resulting in total torque of 550 Nm (300Nm petrol engine + 250 Nm electric motor).

Here are the concept i8's previously released vitals (subject to change in the production model, of course):

• 3-cylinder petrol engine (164kw) in rear with i3's electric motor (limited to 96 kW) in front
• 550 Nm (300Nm petrol engine + 250 Nm electric motor)
• 3 driving modes - electric, petrol, or both engines at once
• 1,480 kg
• 0-100kph (62mph): 4.6 seconds
• Top speed: 250kph (limited)
• 2.7 L/100km fuel economy
• 35km pure electric range
• 4 seater
• 50:50 distribution
• Market Launch: 2014

Exact sales and price targets for the i8 are yet undetermined. But, earlier this year, Ian Robertson, BMW’s global sales and marketing boss, while speaking reporters at the grand opening of the world's first BMW i Store in London, confirmed that the i8 will sell for "more than €100,000" in Europe. As for sales targets, Robertson has previously stated that "Our sales will strongly depend on legislation. Not only by big markets like the U.S. or China, but by local city authorities and their terms of taxation," Robertson said. "If a city like Amsterdam or London decides that you get a tax reduction, then sales will boost."

Catch our previous coverage of the BMW i8 @ http://www.bimmerpost.com/?s=i8

Newest Spy Video:

Previous prototype i8 (for comparison):












Concept i8 coupe and spyder (for comparison):











Speculative renders of a production i8 coupe:

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[bimmerjph]

Meh. I think they have over saturated us with these i concepts. Not really that excited for it. I am honestly more excited for the 2er.

[Roki_014]

i dot understand why are they coming up with these hybrid sports car, is it the price of fuel, i dont get it, if you got money to pay for a $100k car y do you care about fuel cost, plus if I am paying that much for a sports car I want it loud and fast, and fuel efficiency would be the last thing to worry about, I think hybrids thake the masculinity and "power" out of these so called "sports" cars/hybrids :

[chriscecc914]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

Meh. I think they have over saturated us with these i concepts. Not really that excited for it. I am honestly more excited for the 2er.

There's only two i cars approved for production so there isn't exactly a flood of them. And the hybrids have nothing to do with the 2 series. But I agree I'm looking forward to the 2 series lineup!

[Matski]

Is it still supposed to be a 4 seater?

[Touring]

Interesting. Would probably be alot cheaper than a M3 here because of the C02-based tax system. And no tax on electrical HP.

[Daft]

I still think BMW should drop a tuned F10 M5 engine in that thing and call it their supercar.

[faith&firepower]

The ghetto called looking for its rims back....I like the concept...but those wheels kill it.

[nbennettksu]

meh

[smashhell]

Originally Posted by Roki_014

i dot understand why are they coming up with these hybrid sports car, is it the price of fuel, i dont get it, if you got money to pay for a $100k car y do you care about fuel cost, plus if I am paying that much for a sports car I want it loud and fast, and fuel efficiency would be the last thing to worry about, I think hybrids thake the masculinity and "power" out of these so called "sports" cars/hybrids :

Because Hybrid or actually electric supercars are the future.
Look at Tesla model S, that thing is pure electric and have performance that matches the M5.
Look at that thing that Porsche built, the 918 Supercar. It beats the production car record on the nurb ring and it's a hybrid.

[Jony722si]

hope seats bottom doesnot rust

[Prissy]

This car is UGLY as hell, I don't care what concept it has, it looks like a concept for Pontiac.

[ZMM_OMG]

I dig it. It's different and progressive and it gives BMW an interesting flagship super car. Pricing seems a bit heady, but given the image and pricing of the Tesla with the big battery pack, I guess it's in the same relative neighborhood.

[Prissy]

Originally Posted by Roki_014

i dot understand why are they coming up with these hybrid sports car, is it the price of fuel, i dont get it, if you got money to pay for a $100k car y do you care about fuel cost, plus if I am paying that much for a sports car I want it loud and fast, and fuel efficiency would be the last thing to worry about, I think hybrids thake the masculinity and "power" out of these so called "sports" cars/hybrids :

Can't agree more...

[ATS]

Originally Posted by smashhell

Because Hybrid or actually electric supercars are the future.
Look at Tesla model S, that thing is pure electric and have performance that matches the M5.
Look at that thing that Porsche built, the 918 Supercar. It beats the production car record on the nurb ring and it's a hybrid.

Yes, the 918 is a hybrid. But with a 4.6 liter 570hp V8. A far cry from the 3 cylinder in the i8.

Also, electric supercars are the future??? Give me a break... have you heard about hydrogen?

[Wiles]

BMW I applaud you, you crush our spirit with that god awful 3 series GT, but make up for it with a timely release of a much brighter future.

Love the new i8

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by ATS

have you heard about hydrogen?

Never. Going. To. Happen.
Exhibit 1, Hindenburg.
Exhibit 2, it still takes more energy to crack hydrogen from the oxygen in water than the actual energy in the cracked hydrogen.

The old 7er Hydrogen had a massively insulated tank, but if you left it sitting for a week (think airports) the hydrogen would all evaporate. Distribution and storage is also a huge hurdle. Electric makes so much more sense, especially if something like the Tesla Supercharger system becomes more prevalent and standardized.

[m balla]

Don't think of it as a cost issue... think of it more as time saving concept and saving natural resources concept. If I can save environmental damage and not have to stop at some gas pump so much then voila. It is more self fulfilling to know. It just makes each day less stressful and you have something better than a fisker or prius or escalade hybrid.

And for your sports car... yes who gives a flying f*** about fuel. The more fuel it eats the more fun it is. I am down with the koenigsegg one concept.

[DrewBert]

Looks like a Mitsubishi eclipse... I'm disappointed

[Rich@GTBPerformance]

Looking a little better now that the production bits are on, but I'm still underwhelmed by the power.

[xnfsx]

IMHO, from experience, not having gas, one becomes limited to many things. For example, in NYC, after hurricane sandy passed, the tri-state was short of fuel. Many people were waiting online for gas and stocking up. If you had an electric car, this can be resolved short term. Maybe this answers some of you guys talking about gas affordability. Yet another issue is transitioning towards greener vehicles. Eventually, it will happen.

[JMolnar]

Still not a fan of the i car line up. Looking forward to the 2er as well.