BMW i8 - Speed Devil

 

The Indian roads are blushing with pride and the reason is simple: the launch of BMW i8. Offering progressive driving pleasure, the BMW i8 is ready to revolutionise its vehicle class with features that would make even the usual loyalist go weak in the knees. As the first sports car with the consumption and emission values of a compact car, this sweet thing boasts perfect synchronisation of electric motor and combustion engine, which makes itself apparent in maximum efficiency and dynamics on the road. First revealed in production form at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2013, India saw it a year later at the Delhi Auto Expo 2014.

 

At the recently held Chicago Auto Show, Mr Dave Buchko from the BMW Product & Technology Communications at the brand’s US office explained how the need of the car was felt when the company spoke to customers in highly dense cities such as London, New York and Beijing. There was one resounding answer – the residents want compact vehicles, seating four, with electric concept. 

 


So, at a whopping price of approx. INR 2.29 crore, this is BMW's first plug-in hybrid and features a 1.5 litre three-cylinder engine along with a 131PS electric motor, designed and built by BMW's team. The engine will be coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission, and being plug-in hybrid car means you can charge it on the go from a suitable power source. Giving an impression of nothing less than a fully-fledged supercar, you can't but love the ridiculously low, ground hugging, wide body and coupe like structure giving a slick look and an even slicker feel.

 

The carbon fibre-reinforced plastic body of the i8 reduces the cars weight by 200 kgs (as compared to its aluminium or steel counterparts) and adds to its performance. In its heart, the i8 is a petrol engine and an electric motor working individually or in tandem and pleases at every level.

 

Featuring a completely exciting sports car design that includes comprehensive, sophisticated aerodynamics features and environment friendly materials, it could be love at first sight as this swanky car purrs to please. 

 

At an exclusive VIP launch held recently in Mumbai, the legendary Indian sportsman, Mr. Sachin Tendulkar, unveiled the BMW i8 amidst leading Bollywood celebrities, socialites and customers. Philipp von Sahr, President, BMW Group India welcomed the guests and reiterated BMW’s commitment towards providing sustainable mobility solutions. Mr. Tendulkar unveiled the iconic car and shared his experience of the BMW i8 with the guests, which he believes is the most progressive sports car of the twentieth century – a ‘game changer’ in his words.

 

And, if you need one technical detail to understand the power of this vehicle, it is the fact that BMW i8 takes only 4.4 seconds to rev up from 0 to 100 kms/hour, taking only about two hours to charge fully.

 

The BMW i brand comprises vehicles and services developed since 2007 as part of ‘Project i’, an innovative and visionary think tank set up by BMW Group to explore sustainable mobility solutions. Caring for the environment, your image and well, your driving pleasure, this car is set to roll into your garage as soon as you say start!