We are back to talk about the BMW i8 Concept Spyder hybrid powered car and why not, she is sexy, fuel-efficient, futuristic and best of all, a high-performance driving machine. Pinstripe Magazine got a chance to check out the BMW i8 Concept Spyder in the flesh, at the NY International Auto Show going on till April 15th, at the Jacob K. Javits Center in NYC.
The BMW i8 Concept Sypder hybrid runs on Lithium-ion batteries and can drive about 19 miles on a full charge and can be fully charged in about 2 hrs with a household 110v outlet. Nineteen miles won’t get you far except local driving, but the petrol/gas engine comes equipped with an alternator to extend the range of the lithium-ion battery.
The cockpit of this car is slim and trim, futuristic and can’t help but think Tron a bit. Bucket seating for 4, allows you to be cradled by this elegant futuristic, hybrid, high-performance driving machine.
This classic 2+2 roadster coupe is anything but classic and the hardtop glass roof and translucent doors create a minimalistic, elegant futuristic feel. The translucent hatch and hood compliment the grey and blue Tron-esq motif. The i8 Spyder doesn’t just look futuristic, click here to listen to this baby’s electric whine as BMW takes her out on a drive. She sounds like something straight out of a movie!
The doors on the BMW i8 Spyder open in an upward and outward manner, so chances are you probably won’t be parking this in a tight lot. I foresee lots of bruised eyes and heads for this car but I don’t think that will stop anyone from buying this cutting edge performance vehicle. In classic 2+2 coupe style fashion the rear seats in the i8 Spyder also present a unique challenge in addition to parking.
This hybrid beauty packs a 131hp/250Nm torque all electric engine linked to the front wheels and a 223-bhp turbocharged 1.5 liter 3-cylinder gas/petrol engine attached to the rear wheels. The total power output for running both electric and gas engine in tandem is 254hp at 550Nm of torque, giving a 0-62 in 5 seconds and a top speed of 155mph. The top end is electronically governed so who knows how fast this baby is really capable of going.
We can’t wait to see and hear more, the BMW i8 Concept Spyder hybrid and the BMW i3 Concept cars will be on display at the NY International Auto Show until April 15th, 2012. The production BMW i8 Spyder is scheduled to arrive in 2014.
Photos by Ronald Lee
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Author/Writer for Pinstripe Magazine. Cars, Entertainment, Women, Gadgets, Design, Fashion and more…
