The BMW i8 has been launched in India at Rs 2.29 crore (ex-showroom, India). The i8 is a hybrid sportscar from the Bavarian carmaker, and was first revealed in India at the Delhi Auto Expo 2014.
Mechanically, the i8 is powered by either a petrol engine, an electric motor, or a combination of both. The petrol engine is a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged unit that makes 228bhp, while the electric motor makes 129bhp. The combined output stands at 357bhp. BMW claims that the i8 can sprint from 0-100kph in 4.4 seconds, while managing an electronically-limited top speed of 250kph. What adds to the i8’s performance, is that the car is built primarily out of carbon fibre and even though it has a large battery pack, it weighs just 1,490kg.
Visually, there aren’t too many cars that are as striking as the i8. It has this out-worldly look, thanks to a low slung, coupe-like structure, draped in silver, with blue accents.
The i8 is the first of the ‘i’ branded cars from BMW to be launched in India. It’s a car that attempts to deliver big, both on performance as well as the ‘green’ credentials. And that, very clearly, does not come cheap. Also to be noted is the fact that this is basically a halo car in BMW’s portfolio, and will be brought into India as a CBU in limited numbers.
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