BMW i8 - Did You Know?
BMW has one of the richest histories of any brand in the automotive industry and has evolved over the years into one of the most renowned premium auto manufacturers of all time. With each generation of vehicles, the Bavarian car manufacturer strives to build the ultimate performance vehicle.
In line with the release of their most recent vehicle, the BMW i8, let’s take a look at some of the most interesting facts about the automaker.
BMWs are without a doubt among the best cars on the market, which is why it's critical to keep up with all necessary BMW repair service appointments to keep it on the road. Come see us at Rocco’s European Garage today if you're looking for a BMW repair shop in West Midtown, Georgia, that will get the job done right the first time.
5 Fun Facts About the BMW i8
The BMW i8 is a unique vehicle. We've outlined some of nuggets of information about the i8 that any BMW enthusiast would find interesting.
The i8 Features Two Electric Motors
Despite the fact that the i8 specs mention only one 129-hp electric motor driving the front wheels, there is actually a second motor that provides propulsion on occasion. It's a 280-volt motor/generator with a belt drive that's connected to the gasoline engine.
This motor, which has a maximum output of 20 horsepower and 74 lb-ft of torque, is primarily used to start the engine and generate electricity to partially charge the battery in Sport mode. When the gasoline engine experiences turbo lag at low rpm, it can also provide a burst of torque.
The three-improved cylinder's "throttle" response allows it to keep up with the electric motor's instantaneous response and also provides a little extra torque during maximum acceleration to make the most of the available traction.
Features the Most Power per Liter of Any BMW Engine
Despite having only three cylinders and a displacement of 1499 cc, the i8's internal combustion engine produces 228 horsepower or 152 horses per liter. This is more than any other BMW engine, including those found in the various M models.
Features a New Carbon Fiber Look
Carbon fiber's excellent strength-to-weight properties are put to good use in the i8. However, you'll be disappointed if you were hoping to see precisely and artistically arranged sheets of woven CF cloth beneath a high-gloss clear coat. This is due to BMW's development of a new method of molding carbon-fiber panels that is both faster and less expensive than traditional hand-laid autoclave methods.
The i8 Features FWD, RWD, and AWD
Because the electric motor is only connected to the front wheels when running in purely electric mode, it's a front driver. The gasoline engine, on the other hand, is mounted transversely behind the cabin and is only connected to the rear wheels, so the i8 is rear-driven when it is providing the motivation.
The i8 is the First Transverse Engine
The three-cylinder engine in the i8 is mounted sideways in the car behind the passenger compartment to save longitudinal space, which is important when there are two powertrains to tuck into the chassis. That's why most front-drive cars have engines mounted crosswise, and BMW should get used to it because it will be standard in the next-generation 1-series, which will be front-drive.
Schedule Your BMW Repair Appointment Today
At Rocco’s European Garage, we understand how important your BMW is to you, which is why we strive to provide quality and professional BMW repair services to all of our customers. Schedule a service appointment with us today if you suspect a problem with your BMW. We're conveniently located in West Midtown, Georgia, for all of our customers and the surrounding communities.