2015 BMW i8 PHEV Priced At $135,925
At the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show, BMW unveiled its first plug-in hybrid, which is the i8 sports coupe. The US price is set at $135,925. Decide whether you think this is justifiable after reading the specifications below, and leave a comment or two!
It is a two-door, two-seat car outfitted with full LED, laser headlights, as well as 20 inch wheels. It accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds, and can achieve a top speed which is electronically limited to 155 MPH.
This performance is partially attributable to a drag coefficient of 0.26, and the light 3,285-pound curb weight, which was achieved with its “LifeDrive” architecture, which consists of a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) body (like what the i3 has) and an aluminium platform (aluminium is lighter than the traditional steel).
Image Credit: BMW.com
It is equipped with a 362 HP powertrain that produces 420 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain consists of an electric motor and gasoline engine. The gasoline engine uses only three cylinders to generate 231 HP and 236 pound-feet of torque, and that 1.5 liter gasoline engine, which is mounted in the rear of the vehicle turns a 6-speed automatic transmission. Wow! That engine packs a punch!
The electric motor, which drives the front wheels, generates 96 kW (131 HP) of power (mechanical, not electricity), and 184 pound-feet of torque. In electric mode, this vehicle can travel 22 miles per charge, provided that velocity does not exceed 75 MPH.
Finally, the vehicle is equipped with a 5 kWh lithium-ion battery bank which the performance of this vehicle benefits from as well, as older hybrids had less powerful, heavier nickel-metal hydride battery banks. This 5 kWh pack achieves 4.4 miles per kWh, which is not bad for a vehicle weighed down by a gasoline engine.
Sign up for CleanTechnica's Weekly Substack for Zach and Scott's in-depth analyses and high level summaries, sign up for our daily newsletter, and follow us on Google News!
Whether you have solar power or not, please complete our latest solar power survey.
Have a tip for CleanTechnica? Want to advertise? Want to suggest a guest for our CleanTech Talk podcast? Contact us here.
Sign up for our daily newsletter for 15 new cleantech stories a day. Or sign up for our weekly one on top stories of the week if daily is too frequent.
CleanTechnica uses affiliate links. See our policy here.
CleanTechnica's Comment Policy
