The BMW i8 was world premiered at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September this year. The hybrid-sportscar is yet to have its market launch, but as it turns out, BMW has sold out the entire 2014 production!
Speaking to Reuters, Dr. Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG and Sales and Marketing head of BMW, confirmed that the company sold out the first year production, though he declined to share the sales numbers.
The i8 is powered by a 1.5-liter TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder petrol engine producing 231 hp and 320 Nm of torque. It is coupled to an electric motor which develops 131 hp and 250 Nm of torque. Combined, the i8 produces 362 hp and 570 Nm of torque, with the engine driving the front wheels and the electric motor spinning the rear wheels.
Performance wise, the i8 hits 100 km/h from rest in 4.5 seconds, and onwards to an electronically limited top-speed of 250 km/h.
The i8 can also run on pure electricity for up to 35 km with a restricted top-speed of 120 km/h. In the hybrid mode, the i8 achieves a manufacturer claimed 40 km/l, while emitting fewer than 59g of CO2 per km.
Dr. Robertson also said that the i3 had over 10,000 orders and that the first units began shipping to its owners in Germany last week. The market launch of the all-electric BMW was held in Munich on November 16.
