US motoring publication, Motor Trend, has done something all BMW fans want to see; a BMW i8 driven on the limit around a race track.
The lap was conducted during the publication’s testing for their 2014 Best Driver’s Car awards, and is one of their top 10 contenders. The BMW i8 lap was undertaken at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, with the driver posting a 1:44.29 lap time.
The BMW i8 is the German manufacturer’s first jump into the performance hybrid market. The i8 is powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine with electric assist. The engine produces 170kW while the electric system contributes 96kW on top. The i8’s overall combined toque figure for both the petrol and electric engine is 570Nm.
The i8 is capable of sprinting from 0-100km/h in just 4.4 seconds, and has an all-electric range of 37km or 530km when used in conjunction with the petrol engine. Average combined fuel consumption is rated at 2.1L/100km.
The BMW i8 will go on sale here in Australia next year, with first deliveries said to take place in March. Pricing for the BMW i8 starts from $299,000, just in front of the BMW M6 Coupe’s price tag of $291,675.
The BMW i8 will be available in four colours; Sophisto Grey Brilliant Effect; BMW i-unique Ionic Silver; Protronic Blue; and Crystal White. There’s also the choice of three different sets of 20-inch wheels to pick from.
Have a look at the video to see how the BMW i8 holds up around the famous track.
