BMW i8 Entering Production in 2014

BMW's alternative sports car, the i8, will enter production in 2014 with a price around €100,000. It hopes to find 10,000 willing buyers a year for the plug-in hybrid, gullwing sports car. 

The production i8 is powered by a 170hp electric motor with a turbocharged 1.5l three-cylinder engine that produces an additional 223hp. Total power works out to 393hp and 406lb-ft of torque in a car that weighs 1450kg. The layout of the powertrain allows the car to have full torque vectoring all-wheel drive that can channel power entirely to the front, rear or any balance in between. That allows the i8 to accelerate to 60mph in 4.9 seconds with a top speed of 156mph. 

Fully charged, the i8 will have a 20 mile electric range. BMW is claiming fuel economy on the European cycle of 104.2mpg. It will charge on a 110v outlet in six hours or on a quick charge station in one hour. 

Like BMW has experimented with on the electric Mini, the i8 has one pedal control. That means when drivers remove their foot from the accelerator, the car automatically begins regenerative braking. There is still a brake pedal, but at least according to electric Mini testers, drivers rarely need to use it. It also has Active Brake Control that will bring the car to a stop automatically under 40mph if it detects an imminent collision. The car's other technological goodies include Park Assist, Congestion Assist, Range Assist to display charging locations and Precondition Assist to heat or cool the vehicle remotely while charging. 

Source: Car