Test the BMW i8, the Future of Sportscar ~ Auto Car

Test the BMW i8, the Future of Sportscar
An eco-friendly sports car from BMW, we tested it to its maximum limit.

The future of motor vehicles is slowly turning to an environmentally friendly era, including the future of sportscar as well as supercars. This is not just a mere hoax, not just a prototype car that is too sophisticated so impressed impossible to mass produced. For Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW), sports cars are turning to efficiency and environmentally friendly, and they make it happen by giving birth to the i8.

BMW i8 is a futuristic-looking futuristic hybrid plug-in car that has been mass produced. BMW is able to realize the production version of the i8 is not much different from its prototype version. This is the future of BMW sports car, if previously BMW M is 'most powerfull letter in the world', it is not impossible BMW i become the next letter is powerful but environmentally friendly.

Aerodynamic and modern exterior design, as shown from the rear body design, between the roof and taillights there is a hanging loop hole that serves to reduce wind resistance. The front view still characterizes a BMW with its distinctive grille. The main and rear lights use already use full LED as standard. His own body has adopted carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) is light but strong. No wonder the weight is only 1,485 kg.

Inside the cabin, you will be presented with a feel like being in a supercar. Almost all parts of the cabin colored shades of blue which is the identity of the BMW i series. Low sitting position with leather-covered bucket upholstery using olive extract. Yes, BMW was thinking into the cabin so that all parts of the car is environmentally friendly.

The instrument panel comes with a flat line indicating the width of the interior of the i8. While the dashboard and middle panel contrived with layering structure in order to give rise to the impression. In the center console there is iDrive entertainment system button, start / stop button and also eDrive button and drive mode. The complete entertainment screen with 10.25 inch navigation complements the features inside the cabin.

Door i8 uses a gulwing openings model, and to get into the cabin you have to put the body first and then the foot. A little inconvenient, but that's a consequence that must be accepted for sports car owners. Sitting position is low but still comfortable.

Once the engine turns on, it does not sound okay, just the instrument panel screen is on. This means the battery is working. BMW i8 plug-in hybrid technology is the first to be applied by BMW into the sportscar. Electric motor power coupled with 3-cylinder petrol engine capacity of 1.5 liter turbo.

This is a curious, three-cylinder engine with a small capacity but using a turbo, coupled with electric motor power. This conventional engine drives the rear wheels with total power reaches 231 hp and 230 Nm of torque. While the electric motor drives the front wheels with a maximum power of 131 hp and 250 Nm of torque. If combined i8 able to catapult power of 362 hp and 570 Nm of torque.

Driving mode when the first car is turned on will automatically be in Comfort mode, where the car will use electric power or gasoline engine in accordance with the needs of the driver or in accordance with the capacity of the battery. According to BMW, i8 battery can travel up to 37 km and can reach a maximum speed of 120 kph only with electric power.

To deliver power from the electric motor to the front wheels available 2 speed automatic transmission, while the gasoline engine is transferred to the rear wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission. When we tested it up to 100 kpj proved the car shot off without a sound, silence just a little faint sounded electric motor.

Desire was inspired to test this environmentally friendly sportscar acceleration. Unfortunately when the acceleration test turns out the gasoline engine automatically turns on when the accelerator pedal is fully pressed. The result of 362 horsepower was shot up to 100 kph in 4.6 seconds. Not bad, just 0.2 seconds difference from BMW claims. Maybe if using the launch control results according to this claim can be achieved. But the launch control will be maximum if the gasoline engine has reached the ideal heat temperature first.

When using Sport mode, this 3-cylinder petrol engine emits a relatively soft sound. For a 1,500 cc engine may be quite charismatic, but for the size of a sports car with 350 hp more power, his voice is less evocative adrenaline. Yet according to BMW, the sound produced is using artificial technology and engineered to resemble a sports car with a V8 engine. BMW is aware that exhaust sound is an important element for a sportscar. Although there is a little rumbling from the exhaust but still still more melodious sound produced by BMW M. It seems that the absence of exhaust sounds sportscar-style exhaust that is what you must be willing to exchange with advanced hybrid technology.

But in addition, we love the sharp and agile control of the i8 when invited to maneuver like other BMW sports car. Its steering wheel weight feels right, and harmonizes with the tire when it has to respond with your hand turn. This car is quite comfortable for a sportscar and can go at low speed with calm.

So also with the perfect sitting position, provided you have the ideal posture, because it is rather difficult for you who berpostur large for access in and out of the cabin. Rear seat is better you use to store items or just for small children.

BMW i8 is one of the future of sportscar. Tight, sharp control but still environmentally friendly and efficient against fuel. One thing you have to worry about is that low ground clearance plus long overhangs make for extra caution when driving on a variety of road surfaces. The rest please enjoy the sophistication of the technology and also the silence of the electric motor.