Top Rated PlusSellers with highest buyer ratingsReturns, money backShips in a business day with trackingLearn More January sales: 2017 starts with a whimper 02/01/17 Audi still working on A3 four-door coupe? Elon Musk pressures Trump administration for carbon tax 01/27/17 The Beast: 10 Things to Know About the President's Limo 01/23/17 Owner claims Chevy Bolt crashed itself with nobody inside 01/20/17 First drive: 2017 Mercedes-AMG E43 02/01/17 Australia launches women-only ride-sharing service 01/22/17 The i8 is the flagship of BMW's burgeoning eco-friendly i sub-brand. Offered exclusively as a coupe, the i8 uses an advanced plug-in hybrid drivetrain to provide an exhilarating driving experience while returning better fuel economy than even the tiniest economy cars sold on these shores. For the latest model year, BMW has expanded the i8 lineup with a limited-edition model called Protonic Red. The central part of the i8 is a new architecture called LifeDrive that was inaugurated by the all-electric i3 city car.
Crafted out of aluminum, the Drive module includes the gas-burning engine, the electric motor, the lithium-ion battery pack and all of the car's electronic components. The Life module is built out of carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and mainly consists of the 2+2 passenger compartment. Thanks to the LifeDrive architecture, the i8 tips the scale at a claimed 3,285 pounds and boasts a perfect 50/50 weight distribution. Power comes from a hybrid drivetrain consisting of a 231-horsepower turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine located behind the seats and a 131-horsepower electric motor mounted on the front axle. The gas-burning engine sends power to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission, while the electric motor spins the front wheels through a two-stage automatic gearbox. Rated at a combined 362 horsepower and 420 lb-ft. of torque, the plug-in hybrid drivetrain propels the i8 from zero to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 155 mph. The i8 returns 94 mpg in mixed driving and boasts a total driving range of 310 miles in "everyday conditions."
Alternatively, the i8 can operate on electricity alone for up to 22 miles at speeds of up to 75 mph by drawing power from a liquid-cooled 5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack mounted beneath the floor. Recharging the pack takes 3.5 hours with a 110-volt outlet or 1.5 hours with a 220-volt Level 2 charger. The i8 stretches 184.6 inches long, 76.5 inches wide and 51.0 inches tall, dimensions that make it as tall and as wide as an Audi R8 but ten inches longer. It wears a highly futuristic design characterized by LED lighting on both ends, scissor doors and unusual "stream flow" C-pillars designed to improve the car's airflow. Sculpted bumpers on both ends and several alloy wheel designs wrap up the look. The driver-focused dashboard is designed around what BMW bills as a "layering" approach with numerous repeated curved lines. Staying true to the i sub-brand's sustainability mission, the cabin's leather upholstery was created with a natural treatment process and numerous interior trim components are made from recycled fabric.
A 8.8-inch screen mounted on top of the center stack runs BMW's iDrive infotainment system. The driver can control the car's navigation, entertainment, connectivity and climate control functions by using a knob located on the center console. A digital screen takes the place of traditional analogue gauges in the instrument cluster. It provides hybrid powertrain info with a variety of different readouts that vary depending on which drive mode is selected. Standard and Optional Equipment Standard equipment includes adaptive cruise control, front and rear parking sensors and a navigation system capable of calculating routes with maximum efficiency as a priority. Optional extras include a Connected Drive driver assistance package with a 360-degree camera system, collision warning with automated braking and high beam assistant. Buyers with extra-deep pockets can order their i8 with a matching set of tailor-made Louis Vuitton luggage. The i8 features dual front, side and curtain airbags.
For added peace of mind, the lithium-ion battery pack is automatically disconnected from the all electronic components when the passenger restraint systems are triggered. The BMW i8 is essentially by itself in the plug-in hybrid sports car segment. Although that's not expected to last long, for the time being its biggest competitors are traditional gas-powered sports cars such as the Audi R8, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, the Maserati GranTurismo and the Porsche 911 GT3. Jaguar planning M3 rival? Jaguar could give the BMW M3 a run for its money with a hot-rodded XE. The SVR--badged model will arrive with a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 engine rated at 500 horsepower, according to British magazine Auto Express. An eight-speed automatic transmission will transfer the eight-cylinder's torque to all four wheels. BMW recalls i3 REx, cites fire risk The fuel tank vent line may chafe against a battery cable, eventually wearing through the vent hose and allowing fuel vapor to leak.
Next Honda Civic Type R to break cover in Geneva Honda will introduce the next-generation Civic Type R at the Geneva Auto Show. Rumors indicate it will receive a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at over 300 horsepower. This time around, the Type R will be sold in the United States. BMW M2 Performance Edition specs leaked? BMW is planning a limited-edition version of the M2 named Performance Edition, according to leaked documents. It gets more basic features like manually-adjustable, non-heated seats, and it receives a handful of model-specific components such as a performance exhaust system with titanium tips and a firmer suspension. There are no mechanical upgrades to report, according to Bimmerpost. Lamborghini Huracan Performante to break cover in Geneva Lamborghini will introduce the Huracan Performante in Geneva next month. It will make extensive use of a new material named Forged Composites that was developed in-house by the Raging Bull.
Chevrolet to close SS order book Chevrolet will stop taking orders for the SS in the coming weeks, according to GM Authority. Rumors claimed the four-door muscle car would be sent off with a limited-edition high-performance model, but it doesn't look like Chevrolet is planning anything special. A replacement is not in the works. Virginia wants to fine left-lane hoggers Virginia lawmakers have passed a bill that makes hogging the left lane -- also known as the passing lane -- an offense. Drivers caught using the left lane improperly will face a minimum fine of $250. The state's governor hasn't signed the bill yet, but it's expected to get his approval. 1988 Cadillac Trump limo offered for sale Only two Trump-branded limousines were made, complete with CRT televisions and paper shredders. One has surfaced in the UK, available for the equivalent of $62,500. Drivetrain shutdowns prompt Toyota Mirai recall The glitch is said to occur under hard acceleration when the vehicle has been travelling downhill for more than one minute using cruise control, causing an over-voltage condition.