BMW is planning to launch its futuristic eco-friendly model, the BMW i8, next year in the GCC region. It's Roadster version (see pics below) has earned it North American Concept of the Year award for the second time in a row, this year as the Best Production Preview. Official Middle East launch is expected in first quarter of 2014 and rollout is expected a few months after that.
The i8 is part of the BMW i Series, focusing on eco friendly "green" technologies. The i3 is another crossover electric model but it's much more urban in nature and limited to severely congested cities of Europe. The i8 is a plug-in hybrid which has a combo of electric and combustion engines, plus an interior that is entirely made out of carbon fibre. The electric motor generates 130 horsepower while the combustion engine delivers 220 horses. 0-100? BMW claims 4.6 seconds. Nice. Top speed? 250 km/h. Very nice. Driving range? Electric-only range is 35 km and it doesn’t upset the car’s 50:50 weight distribution. So essentially a lot will still depend on the "benzine" side of the engine. Best part is it will take less than 2 hours to recharge the car's battery completely. Fuel economy? Only 3 L / 100 km which is probably less than Kia Picanto.
So this is essentially a car which is fast, has striking good looks and consumes an unbelievably low amount of petrol. Pricing is expected to be close to 500,000 AED. Add to that the dynamic, emotionally striking allure and you have a luxury, hybrid sports car worthy of a Middle East launch.
