The BMW i8 Concept.

The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics celebrated its debut exactly two years ago at the opening of the IAA 2009. Browsing the net today it becomes obvious that the 2009 version was one of the most photographed vehicles in Frankfurt.
Even now the concept has lost none of its appeal. On the contrary, and despite the fact (or maybe because of it) that the world has been able to follow along as the vision turned into a series-production vehicle.
The Vision EfficientDynamics becomes the BMW i8

In September 2009 the bold concept celebrated its premiere at the IAA. Back then it had a white and blue paint scheme and a drive concept that didn’t make it to production. The concept was driven by two electric motors and a 1.5 liter turbo Diesel engine. For series production a few compromises had to be made, at least in terms of technology. Dynamic and efficiency standards were left unaffected.

The production version of the BMW i8 will “only” have one electric motor for the front axle, which will propel the car on its own or in conjunction with a 223hp 3-cylinder gasoline engine. During testing (image: November 2010) this combination has proven to be the perfect one for series production. In this configuration the car can drive up to 35 kilometers on electricity alone, while sprinting from 0 to 100 km/h in under 5 seconds and achieving a top speed of 250 km/h. It manages to do all that with less than 3 liters of fuel per 100 km.

At the IAA 2011 the BMW i8 Concept celebrates its world premiere. The series production vehicle should be ready by 2014. Until then the BMW i8 will be a likely guest at future IAA shows.