2017 BMW i8
BMW plans to introduce a facelifted version of the i8 late next year.
This "green" sports car's
electric motor will get a 10 percent boost in power, while the 1.5-liter 3-pot
petrol mill will be slightly updated too, bringing the total output up to 420
HP, or almost 60 HP more than what the current model has to offer.
These
changes, combined with a revised six-speed automatic transmission, which is
said to receive new software mapping, will improve performance beyond the 4.4
seconds needed by today's i8 to sprint from naught to 100 km/h,
topping out at 250 km/h.
Since the
Formula E safety car swaps the 7.1 kWh battery in favor of a 10 kWh one, the
facelifted BMW i8 is expected to get a similar treatment, extending the car's
electric and total range. The list of upgrades is believed to continue with a
tweaked chassis too, along with carbon fiber wheels and even an optional
inductive charging system.
BMW's
"i" range will eventually count seven models and the next
"i" car to hit dealers will be the roadster version of the i8,
announced a couple of months ago as part of the brand's business plan.
