BMW i8 Details Released, Will Take on the Porsche 911

BMW is not messing around – even though they have created a new brand – BMW i – that focuses on fuel-efficient cars, it is still promising ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’ performance. The automaker has just dropped the full details on the BMW i8 sports car which is says will compete with the likes of the Porsche 911.

According to BMW the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car is ‘most progressive sports car of our time’ and a is a new take on the ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’ slogan.

To keep things straightforward let’s break everything down in a nice list:

• Power for the BMW i8 comes from a turbocharged 1.5-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo gasoline engine mated to BMW eDrive electric motor.
• The engine produces out 231-hp and 236 lb-ft of torque while the electric-motor produces 131-hp and 184 lb-ft of torque.
• The rear wheels of the i8 are driven by the gasoline engine via a 6-speed automatic transmission, while the front wheels are moved by the electric motor via a 2-stage automatic transmission.
• Combined output comes at 357-hp with a maximum torque of 420 lb-ft.
• 0 to 60 mph coming in under 4.5 seconds
• Top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph (75 mph in full electric mode).

When it comes to efficiency:

•  BMW i8’s lithium-ion battery will provide a range of 22 miles when fully charged with the total range (with a full tank of gas) coming in at 310 miles. Charging the battery will take 3 1/2 hours from conventional 120 volt and 1 1/2 hours from a 22 volt.
• Average fuel-economy for the BMW i8 comes in less than 2.5 liters/100 km, which comes out to approximately 95 miles per US gallon.

The full production BMW i8 will make its debut at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show and will be in showrooms by 2014. Prices are expected to come in well over $150,000.