The 4.7-metre-long BMW i8, shown here at the Frankfurt motor show, features unusual construction methods, using a carbonfibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) bodyshell sitting on a welded aluminium chassis. BMW claims the i8 can hit 62mph from rest in just 4.4sec with both the engine and electric motor engaged. Top speed — achieved by the petrol engine alone — is 155mph. BMW says this performance is partly thanks to the i8's relatively low weight of 1490kg and an aerodynamic bodyshell, which has a drag coefficient of 0.26.
More from the Frankfurt motor show:
Audi Sport Quattro coupe concept
Lamborghini Gallardo Squadra Corse
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fadyady
The stand-out feature
The 3-cylinder 1.5L turbo petrol engine that produces a remarkable 228bhp is a stand-out feature that is getting buried under the batteries and the near incredible 25g/km CO2 and the 113mpg from a car that hits 62 in under 4.5 seconds.
Imagine this engine in a 1-Series or Countryman. Pretty impressive stuff.
Peter Cavellini
Death of the big capacity engine....?
If you can extract that amount of horsepower from a 1.5 triple,is there really end need for engines with 6 cylinders......?
Peter Cavellini.
Peter Cavellini
Well to be honest......!
Peter Cavellini.
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