With its publicity machine on full throttle, including a cameo role in the upcoming spy thrillerMission Impossible 4: Ghost Protocol, was there even a need for BMW to announced the creation of the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid last week? One can argue there was in order to provide proof that the Bavarian auto maker is still engineering savvy in light of transition from combustion engine to electric. Though late to the game in comparison to the Audi R8 E-Tron and Mercedes-Benz SLS E-Cell, the BMW i8 is complete new build, unlike the former 2 where are based on existing platforms. Like its i3 cousin, the i8 employed the LifeDrive architecture, compartmentalized design which incorporated lightweight composite of aluminum and carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) as base. With this structural upgrade, BMW promised the i8 to dash from 0 to 62 mph in just 4.6 seconds with only a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine and a set of electric motor at the front. One other unique integration is the special app on any smartphone platforms.
No words on the official cost of the vehicle except that it will be in “6-figure price range”, BMW’s ambitious BMW i sub-brand will first launch the i3 in 2013 with the i8 to follow in 2014. Speed Racer never had it this good…
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