A lightly camouflaged BMW i8 test vehicle was spotted in Germany and while it doesn’t feature any design changes, it brings forward some possible upgrades to the tires selection. Sitting on Michelin Pilot Super Sport, this i8 now makes use of tires that 245 millimeters wide at the front and 275 mm in the back, 30 mm wider than the largest tire currently offered by BMW for the i8. The increased width points to the need for extra traction and enhance driving dynamics, which would fall inline with the long-time rumored i8S.
But according to our information, there are currently no concrete plans for a more powerful and sportier positioned BMW i8s, so perhaps drivers in need of higher cornering speeds with their i8 can at least look forward to wider tires from the factory. In addition to the sports tires, the prototype also carries the additional attachments of the optional aerodynamics package, which provides more contact pressure on the front and rear axles.
As standard, the BMW i8 facelift is available on 20-inch wheels with 195-millimeter-wide front tires and 215-rear tires. The tires, which are very narrow for a sports car, help the hybrid sports car to achieve an extremely low fuel consumption: 1.8 liters per 100 kilometers, according to WLTP, which corresponds to CO2 emissions of 42 grams per kilometer.
The electric range of the facelift i8 has risen to 55 kilometers since the facelift, a figure that seems to satisfy most city drivers.
When the electric motor sends its peak power of 143 hp to the front wheels and the 231 hp of the three-cylinder petrol engine are retrieved in the rear, the i8 accelerates to 100 km / h in 4.4 seconds. The intermediate sprint from 80 to 120 is also completed in fourth gear within 3.4 seconds, the top speed is 250 km/h.
[Source: Bimmertoday]
rear wheels look really nice
i8 just needs a v8 tt or a v10 then people will be happy
The priority and emotions stirred by a product like this should never have attempted to be MPG or KM/Liter. This was the epitome of a misguided product. That mission was intended for the i3 but not both the i3 and i8.
A “proper” demonstration of technological prowess would have been the i8 carbon-biased chassis with a mid/rear-mounted S55 and ~200hp electric motor driving the front axle. AWD with ~650hp, 0-60 in 3.3s, $150K price segment. That is the “sweet spot” niche that BMW could’ve dominated. Capable competitor to the 911 benchmark, hybrid performance to boast BMW’s tech and an unabashed nod to the brand’s sporting “spirit”.
i3 & i8 were both about new tech, not old. i3 is precursor for 5th gen. BEV range, i8 hybrid drivetrain already in volume models. If instead, like Porsche, they just kept building on old tech, perhaps they could have sold their millionth Isetta by now, like Porsche just sold their millionth 911. Pretty sure Z4, M2, M3, M4, M5, M8 and X Ms are all unabashed nods to the brand’s sporting “spirit”.
More like 2.3 secs.
Hopefully this suggests BMW has finally woken to wise words from potential buyers, current owners, and people who love BMW products that i8 needs more power, huge amounts of torque available at low rev, sportier handling and more performance. The new tyres in the photos are huge compared to current factory spec. Maybe a 4 cyl petrol finally makes entry. Maybe i8 finally gets to crank 450+hp, 600+Nm at low revs (1500 rpm) and get its 0-60 down to the high 3s for now. Maybe none of that happens and BMW just want to sell new Michelin tyres. Who knows?