One of the forum members of BimmerPost managed to snap a few pictures of a production BMW i8 scale model, ahead of the car’s public debut scheduled for September at IAA.
From the pictures it can be seen that BMW has taken lot of the styling cues from the 2008 M1 Homage. The production-ready i8 model will feature the company’s traditional Hofmeister kink and its better if we do not comment that it will look better in this monochromatic finish compared to the black/silver paint with blue accents seen on the concept.
The production version will come fitted with a 3-cylinder 1.5-liter TwinPower Turbo gasoline engine producing 231 HP (170 kW) and 236 lb-ft (320 Nm) of torque. It will be ably backed by an electric motor providing an additional output of 131 HP (96 kW) and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque. The conventional engine is going to drive the rear axle while the electric motor will power the front wheels.
Both the powertrains can run independently as well as at the same time to generate a combined output of 362 HP (266 kW) and 420 lb-ft (570 Nm) of torque. With the help of these, the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid supercar will be able to achieve the 0 to 62 mph (100 kmph) sprint in less than 4.5 seconds and will come with an electronically-capped top speed of 155 mph (250 kmph).
