A Look at the New BMW i8 Battery

Maybe you’ve had a chance to look at the new BMW i8. Maybe you’ve held off because you need to know more about this iteration. Here’s your chance. The futuristic head turner is a hybrid with a design that stops people in their tracks.

The Battery

What gives the new BMW i8 its “heart”? The battery. The old battery pack topped at 7.1 kWh. That’s not bad, but to stay ahead of the curve, it can be improved upon. That’s why the next i8 features a battery at 11.6 kWh. This doesn’t change the weight, but it does update the technology. This should improve upon the i8’s range from about 18 miles to over 30.

That’s the difference between making a daily commute a hybrid affair vs. making it fully electric. That’s a big deal, and it can do a lot to help environmentally minded BMW drivers feel better about their drives.

The Motor

The electric motor’s also been improved. The 143 hp of the electric motor is up from 131 hp. Combine this with the combustion engine and you’re up to 369 hp. That’s a meaty amount for a speedy car that has the environmental footprint of a microcar.

The advantage of the updated BMW i8 is in its reduced environmental footprint. You can go 0 to 60 mph in under 4.2 seconds, but the footprint you leave behind is considerably less than a competitive car powered only by a combustion engine.

The Turned Heads

As long as the i8 keeps those astounding swing-up doors on its sleek frame, we’re glad to sit in the driver’s seat. You can take it for a spin to get a feel for it at your South Florida BMW dealership. Driving it is a unique experience that you deserve to feel for yourself.

As great as everything inside the car is, our favorite part is still what happens outside of it – the dropped jaws and amazed stares. For all the improvements on an already-capable battery and powertrain inside the car, it’s still the stunning exterior that gets the most notice.