BMW has finally launched India's first hybrid supercar dubbed as BMW i8 priced at Rs. 2.29 Crore. A lot of hype has been building over this car for past so many months. The car has innovative concept behind its creation. The fact that this is an eco-friendly vehicle adds to the overall appeal of BMW i8.
The first glimpse of the vehicle in India was caught at Auto Expo 2014 whereas conceptually, the vehicle first featured in the movie Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. Beneath the exquisitely designed exterior, this hybrid supercar has a 1.5 litre three cylinder turbo petrol engine which is not borrowed from any other car but a new one developed from the start by BMW. This powerful motor manages to generate power of 231PS and peak torque of 320Nm. These are outputs for the gasoline motor whereas the electric motor churns out power of 131PS and max torque of 250Nm. As a combined result, BMW i8 gives a total power output of 362PS and an overall torque of 570Nm which more than what one would anticipate from a 1.5 litre engine.
The hybrid supercar is designed so as to provide a better fuel economy and power without compromising on either. Not to mention, it is also safer and does not emit harmful gases. In circumstances like stopping at red light, BMW i8 is more efficient. The vehicle takes the initial thrust from the electric motor since starting the car from low speeds to high speeds can consume a lot of gasoline. Once the desired pace is achieved by the car, the vehicle starts using the gasoline engine, thereby finding the right balance between power and efficiency. The engine of BMW i8 will work in collaboration with the six speed automatic transmission system. This is a plug-in hybrid car that allows drivers to keep the vehicle charged even when you are on the move.
Naturally, with such a powerful engine under its belt, one can expect nothing short of fireworks when it comes to performance. If the vehicle is powered by the electric motor alone, the BMW i8 manages to reach a top speed of 120kmph whereas with a combined thrust from both gasoline and electric motor, the vehicle reaches a top speed of 250kmph. Even though there are so many noteworthy points in BMW i8, the one that stands out is its fuel economy. BMW i8 can cover 100kms journey by consuming just 2.1 litres of petrol which is simply incredible.
BMW i8 uses a four wheel drive system whereas as far as the infotainment is concerned, the vehicle comes with BMW iDrive solution that can be accessed through a touch controller. The touch controller is a treat in itself as it features handwriting recognition system. Users can use the massive 8.8 inch color display for navigating to the desired location via 3D maps or for entertainment through the Harman Kardon music system. The vehicle would also have the park distance control feature that uses the front and rear view camera.
BMW i8 is available across dealerships in Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai. The car is brought in India via CBU route.