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BMW’s supercar, the M1, was sold between 1978 to 1981 as the only mid-engined BMW to be mass produced. But you’d expect more from a maker like BMW, right? And with all the competition on the market, BMW had to do something about it, so they decided to put the Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show into production. It’s not the first time we hear about the possibility of the Vision Efficient Dynamics going into production, but today we have more details about the production version: the i8. And while the concept is powered by a three cylinder turbo diesel power plant combined with two electric motors, the i8 will be offered in both electric and hybrid versions. Rumors suggest that the Project i Coupe won’t be flying solo as BMW may be panning on an M version for this future model and it will most likely be called the M1. UPDATE 11/23/2012: It’s official! The BMW i8 Concept will make its North American Debut at the L.A. Auto Show. Stay tuned for more details. Exterior and InteriorWhen BMW first announced it’s plans to put the Vision Efficient Dynamics into production, a company source said: "there will be less of the synthetic glass and more solid structure added to the final design." How can this be translated? The i8 will be built on an aluminum chassis which houses the powertrain and the passenger cell. This cell consists of high-strength, but extremely lightweight carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP). It will be built at BMW’s Leipzig plant starting 2013. The car’s front will be defined by the now famous kidney grille and two large air intakes. The gullwing doors will be replaced by standard ones and the rear will get a quad exhaust system. For the interior we expect the usual M accessories: sports leather seats, a sports steering wheel, and different aluminum inserts. The EngineThe Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept was powered by a three cylinder turbo diesel power plant combined with two electric motors for a maximum output of 356 HP and 590 lb-ft of peak torque. For the i8, BMW will combine a 1.5 liter inline 3 engine with two electric motors with an output of 95 HP each. The final output will be in the 400 HP area. BMW will offer both RWD and AWD versions, with the hybrid version being offered only as an AWD model. The engine will be mated to a new double clutch transmission and will sprint the future supercar from 0 to 60 mph in just 4 seconds. The company has promised a fuel economy of 58 MPG and an autonomy of 400 kilometers. The bad news, though, is that top speed will be limited to only 155 mph, but we’re sure tuners will have something to say about this. As for the M version, it is rumored to be powered by an Inline 6 turbo engine or V8 engine with an output of 450 HP. The engine will be combined with two "supercaps" that will add a total of 100 HP each. And if you do a little math you’ll understand why we can’t wait to see the Project i Coupe when it goes into production.   When Can I Get One?The BMW Project i Coupe will go on sale in 2013. In Germany, it is rumored to be priced between 125,000 and 175,000 euro (between $175,000 and $250,000 at the current exchange rates). BMW announced it will produce around 30,000 units within 5 years. The CompetitionThe BMW project i Coupe will take on models like the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, the Audi R8 V10, and the Porsche 911 Turbo. All of them are German models and all develop more than 500 HP. Not to mention that all of them have prices bigger than any normal person can ever afford. So, for those out there who can actually afford one, we believe the final decision will be made depending on everyone’s likes and tastes. Test Videos:37 comments: BMW i8 It’s a bit pricey when you compare it to other electric supercars. But knowing BMW’s penchant for putting in lots of advanced tech in their cars, this might actually be reasonable.
 I too am really hoping that they will be able to make the i8 work. It would be really great to see these electric supercars increasing in number.
 Well, this is my first time to see a "kidney grille" but i think it doesn’t look good in this car. And quality of synthetic glass is far better than a plastic fiber! I don’t like this car at all and i can’t believe that it actually compete against the Audi R8 plus the price is too high but it only offers 3 cylinder turbo!
 I tell you, the i8 is already a promising car from the moment that BMW has announced it. And it seems that they are really going to make good on that promise.
 Most probably this would be the great value version of M3 GTS, I bet it will receive the best handling tuned of the BMW, and it is the closes package to M3 GTS.
 Well, the Project I looks like an interesting concept. Now if they would just build the car to see how it actually performs on the open road.
 That is nice! I would very much like to put those genius designers (idiots actually) that created that backlights design, to remove the ice and snow in 3-4 months of winter 
 I can understand a carbon fiber in an exotic car, but in this car? Because this will, in all likeliness, be driven more than an exotic car and will probably be more common to see on the road, there will be a higher chance a car like this will get into an accident. I know how you can fix sheet metal, but how do you fix carbon fiber?
 God that thing is ugly! Looks like a badly photoshopped picture of an E36 with a Chris Bangle line under the door. It’s been years since BMW (or any other maker I can think of) stopped using flip up door handles.
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Posted on
03.16.2011 @ 01:11