BMW i8 engines to be UK built
Posted 13th June, 2012 in BMW, Videos | Leave a comment
BMW has confirmed that the engines for its i8 plug-in hybrid sports car will be constructed at its Hams Hall plant, near Birmingham in the West Midlands of the UK.
Expected to feature the same unit as the i8 Concept, the production car will use a turbocharged three-cylinder petrol unit, developing 164 kW (223 hp) and 300 Nm of torque, to drive the rear wheels, along with a 96 kW (131 hp) motor powering the front axle. The lithium-ion battery allows a range of 27-30 km (17 – 19 miles) on its own but, with both units combined, a sub-5 second sprint to 100 km/h time is achievable, while the top speed is limited to 250 km/h (155 mph). Impressive figures for a car capable of consuming just 3 litres of fuel every 100 kilometres.
“Our Hams Hall engine plant will make an important contribution to the future success of the new BMW i brand and the company’s strategy for achieving sustainable mobility. The new 3-cylinder petrol engines will enable our future BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car to set new standards for dynamic performance in combination with industry-leading fuel-efficiency and low carbon emission levels,” said BMW’s Ian Robertson.
[Source: BMW]
