BMW exhibits futuristic mobility at Auto Expo

The BMW i8, the BMW X5 and the BMW M6 Gran Coupé to be launched in India in 2014.

BMW India presented the new generation of Individual Mobility by unveiling the BMW i8, the all-new BMW X5 and the all-new BMW M6 Gran Coupé at the 12th Auto Expo 2014. The all-new BMW 3 Series Gran Turismo was also launched in India.

Philipp von Sahr, President, BMW Group India said, “We are on the verge of a new era of sustainable individual mobility and a revolutionary interpretation of BMW’s hallmark driving pleasure. The BMW i presents a ground-breaking concept with visionary electric vehicles and mobility services, creating a new understanding of luxury that is strongly defined by sustainability. BMW i plays an important role in our future product strategy and as a sign of our commitment to this market, we will bring our revolutionary BMW i8 to India later this year.”

The BMW i8 will be launched in India as a CBU (Completely Built-up) unit by end of 2014.

Specs of i8

The intelligent plug-in hybrid system in the BMW i8 combines the benefits of an electric motor and a petrol engine into an extraordinary driving experience: highest efficiency and maximum dynamics are simultaneously possible. With BMW eDrive, the new BMW drive technology, the battery can be charged from any mains socket or while driving.

The electric drive, a powerful 96 kW (131 hp), is located on the front axle. The rear axle is driven by BMW TwinPower Turbo 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with 170 kW (231 hp) of peak performance. The petrol engine combined with the electrical boost of the hybrid system guarantees typical BMW driving pleasure. Together, the two units deliver a total of 362 hp, accelerating the BMW i8 from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds using all four wheels in the process. Running on battery power, it achieves the top speed of 120 km/h with a maximum range of 35 kilometres. In conjunction with the combustion engine the electric motor takes the e-powered supercar to up to 250 km/h.

A distinctive feature conceived exclusively for BMW i is the LifeDrive vehicle architecture which significantly contributes towards weight optimisation. It includes the Life module comprising passenger cell made from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and the Drive module comprising an aluminium frame for the combustion engine and electric motor, the battery pack and the suspension.

Another impressive characteristic is record low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, at an average of 40 km/l and emission of 59 g/km (provisional figures, according to the EU test cycle).