BMW i8 Confirmed For Sale In The Middle East
BMW i8 supercar confirmed for the region – but no i3
by Imthishan Giado
BMW’s regional office has confirmed to us that BMW’s i8 plug-in hybrid sportscar will be coming to the Middle East early next year. However, the other product launched under the new ‘I’ brand’, the i3 city car, will not be sold in the region.
The i8 boasts a number of innovations for the Munich firm. It’s the carmaker’s first attempt at a ‘green’ supercar and features a body made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) and an aluminium chassis. Under the hood are two motors – a turbocharged triple good for 228bhp and 236lb ft of torque working in concert with an 129bhp/184lb-ft electric motor; as well as a third 13bhp/81lb ft electric engine for smoothing out the transitions between drivetrains. Add it all up and you have a claimed 357bhp and 420lb of torque, enough to propel the 1487kg four-wheel drive coupe to 100kph in just 4.5 seconds.
The i3 is destined for the urban city markets of Europe where high C02 taxes make larger engined vehicles and expensive proposition. In the Middle East with its ample supply of petrol and tax-free environment, BMW clearly feels the car is not a suitable – or should one say, saleable – proposition.
Nevertheless, it’s an interesting car. Completely zero emissions, it too is constructed from CFRP, making it the world’s first mass produced car with a carbon fibre monocoque. Two versions will be sold: the first a ‘pure EV’ version with the same electric motor as the i8 but boosted up to 170bhp and the same 184 lb of torque. With a 22kW battery, it’s got a real world range of 120-160km. Eventually, a second version will debut with a range-extending (ie not driving the rear wheels) 650cc two cylinder engine.
Already saw a one being driven around in Alain a couple months back.Cant wait to see it uncovered.