Last year, global sales of the BMW i8 exceeded the combined figure of
all other hybrid sports cars produced by other manufacturers*; 5,456
units of the i8, which is powered by the combination of a
three-cylinder turbocharged engine and an electric drive system, were
sold worldwide in 2015. The car’s innovative plug-in hybrid technology
delivers system output of 266 kW/362 hp (fuel consumption combined:
2.1 l/100 km [134.5 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 49 g/km)**. “The
success of the BMW i8 speaks for itself,” said Ian Robertson, BMW AG
Board Member for Sales and Marketing. “It is already the world’s most
successful hybrid sports car and has comfortably exceeded our own
expectations. I can think of no better illustration of the relevance
of our young BMW i brand.” And the BMW i8 is about to add further
lustre to its appeal with exclusive special-edition models poised to
be unveiled for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show. The new
arrivals present customers with even more ways to own a very
individual car.
BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition will be built in Leipzig from
July.
The first in this line of special-edition
models is the BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition. Like those set to follow in
its tyre tracks, it is only available for a limited period. This take
on the 2+2-seater with carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP)
passenger cell and efficient BMW eDrive drive system technology will
be produced at BMW Plant Leipzig from July; it sports a Protonic Red
paint finish with accents in Frozen Grey metallic. The colour scheme
is complemented by BMW W-spoke 470 light-alloy wheels painted in Orbit
Grey metallic with hubs painted in Aluminium matt and mixed-size tyres
(front: 215/45 R20, rear: 245/40 R20). Inside the inaugural
special-edition i8, red double-stitching and applications in
high-grade carbon fibre and ceramic provide indications of its
exceptional sporting character.
Largest market presence of any premium supplier
worldwide.
Since entering the market in late 2013, BMW i
has concentrated exclusively on vehicles designed from the outset for
locally emission-free driving. In 2015, sales of the BMW i3 and BMW i8
were around 66% up on the previous year with a total of 29,513
deliveries. BMW i currently offers the BMW i3 in a total of 36
countries. This, together with its portfolio of trailblazing and
highly convenient services, gives BMW i the largest worldwide market
presence of any electric vehicle manufacturer. In its launch phase,
the BMW i brand and its BMW i3 and BMW i8 models garnered more awards
and accolades than any other brand in automotive history. Among the
distinctions amassed by the BMW i8 are an International Engine of the
Year award for both its TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder engine and
overall hybrid drivetrain. The BMW i8 was also voted World Green Car
of the Year and Green Luxury Car. And it received the Paul Pietsch
Award presented by German motoring magazine “auto motor und sport” in
recognition of the most innovative technical concept. No other vehicle
has ever picked up such a large number of awards in such an array of
different disciplines.
* Source: Polk/IHS at 12/2015 ** Fuel consumption figures based on
the EU test cycle, may vary depending on the tyre format specified.
Further information on official fuel consumption figures,
specific CO2 emission values and the electric power consumption of
new passenger cars is included in the following guideline:
“Leitfaden über Kraftstoffverbrauch, die CO2-Emissionen und den
Stromverbrauch neuer Personenkraftwagen” (Guideline for fuel
consumption, CO2 emissions and electric power consumption of new
passenger cars), which can be obtained from all dealerships, from
Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT), Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1,
73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen and at
http://www.dat.de/en/offers/publications/guideline-for-fuel-consumption.html.
Leitfaden CO2 (Guideline CO2) (PDF
‒ 2.7 MB)
.