Spied - BMW i8 hybrid sportscar caught testing in Munich

15/04/2013 - 19:05 | ,  ,   | Nithyanandh K

A camouflaged test mule of the BMW i8 hybrid sportscar has been caught testing in Munich, signalling a progress in the car's journey to sprout into a production model. Fans of the Mission Impossible franchise will recall Tom Cruise overspeeding in one in the crowded streets of Mumbai in M-I 4 to prevent a nuclear attack from happening.

BMW i8 rear spyshotbmw i8 spyshot side door

The i8 Concept was first unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show along with the i3 electric city car. Here are the spyshots of the road-ready plug-in hybrid sportscar captured by reader Andreas of BMWBlog.com.

The BMW i8 is powered by a combination of a 1.5 litre three cylinder turbocharged petrol engine and an electric motor. The electric motor, which derives power from a 7.2 Kwh battery pack propels the front axle while the rear-mounted petrol engine drives the rear wheels via a dual-clutch transmission.

The design of the test mule stays true to that of the i8 Concept including the futuristic doors. The 2+2 seat sports car has a low slung and aerodynamic appearance.

BMW i8 Concept
BMW i8 concept vehicle

The car can accelerate to 100 kmph from a standstill in under 5 seconds. The top speed is limited to 250 kmph. The location of the battery pack in the centre tunnel makes for an optimized 50:50 weight distribution. Expect this sportscar to be as agile and dynamic as BMW's regular sportscars.

The battery can be charged fully in just 2 hours. BMW claims a combined fuel efficiency under the European test cycle of less than 3.0 litre/100 km (33.33+ kmpl).

The BMW i8 is slated for production next year.

[Source: Bmwblog.com]

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