BMW i8 to be launched in India on February 18

BMW has officially announced that the i8 will be launched in India on February 18. Featuring a full carbonfibre chassis and petrol motor which works jointly with an electric motor, the i8 is one of the most revolutionary cars from the German manufacturer. 

The design of the i8 stays true to the Vision-Z concept which was first shown at the Beijing Motor Show in April 2012. With a low-slung silhouette and a long hood, the i8 seems like a modern rendition of 8 Series cars of the 1980s and 90s. It is powered by a 1.5-litre, 3-cylinder TwinPower turbo engine and an electric motor. While the petrol engine sends 231bhp to the rear wheels, the 131bhp electric motor powers the front wheels, making the Coupe an all-wheel-drive. 

With 100kmph coming up in 4.4 seconds, the i8 is electronically limited at 250kmph. BMW claims a fuel-efficiency of 50kmpl for the i8. Like the other BMW cars, the i8 can also be driven in four modes. Comfort mode balances efficiency and performance; EcoPro mode focuses just on efficiency; Sport mode favours performance and the eDrive mode excludes the petrol engine altogether..

We expect BMW to price the i8 in the Rs 1.5 crore to Rs 2.2 crore price bracket. The i8 will be the country’s first hybrid performance car and it won’t have any real competition in the Indian market.