2012 BMW i8 Concept

BMW i8 Concept

BMW i8 Concept – emotional, dynamic and economical.

BMW i8 Concept

The BMW i8 Concept and therefore the fascinating approach that underpins it embody the vision of a sustainable up to date sports automobile dropped at life. Its innovative plug-in hybrid concept combines the changed electrical drive system from the BMW i3 Concept - fitted over its front axle - with a high-performance three-cylinder combustion engine manufacturing 164 kW (220 hp)/300 Nm (221 lb-ft) at the rear. the electrical motor within the BMW i8 Concept could be a full-capability unit which may conjointly power the automobile on its own, if needed. However, operating in tandem permits the 2 drive systems to show their respective abilities to the complete, delivering the performance of a sports automobile however the fuel consumption of a little automobile.

BMW i8 Concept

Acceleration of zero to a hundred km/h (62 mph) in beneath 5 seconds combined with fuel consumption within the European cycle of beneath 3 litres per a hundred kilometres (approx. ninety four mpg imp) and average client fuel consumption of between 5 and 7 litres per a hundred kilometres (40.4 - 56.5 mpg imp) - even when driven exhausting - are figures currently beyond the potential of any vehicle powered by a combustion engine of comparable performance. because of its massive lithium-ion battery, which may be charged from a domestic power offer, the BMW i8 Concept will travel up to thirty five kilometres (approx. twenty miles) on electrical power alone. an outsized proportion of short everyday journeys will so be completed with zero emissions. The car's electric-only mode permits it to enter emissions-capped central areas of cities with access restrictions in place for petrol or diesel-powered vehicles. The i8 Concept's potency rating is more enhanced by its ability to come up with energy at each axles. the electrical motor at the front axle recoups most energy on every occasion the driving force brakes, whereas a high-voltage alternator attached to the combustion engine charges the battery, if needed. Added to that, the 2+2-seater offers enough house for four individuals, giving it a high level of everyday practicality.

BMW i8 Concept

The various parts inside a vehicle's structure ought to deal with an especially wide selection of demands, which may solely be addressed to full result by a range of construction ways. for every part, the BMW cluster engineers thus choose the fabric to suit its usage profile and also the demands placed on it, so battery weight isn't any longer a problem. so as to fulfill the engineers' formidable aims, each part has been rigorously developed, examined and, if necessary, changed to optimise its purposeful effectiveness and minimise weight. coming up with the parts specifically for his or her explicit purpose ensures the vehicles work yet and weigh as very little as doable. CFRP plays a significant role in reducing weight. The intensive use of this material – e.g. within the Life module of the BMW i3 Concept and BMW i8 Concept – is unprecedented in volume vehicle production. CFRP is a minimum of as robust as steel, however roughly fifty per cent lighter. By comparison, aluminium would save 'only' thirty per cent in weight over steel. All of that makes CFRP the lightest material obtainable for vehicle body construction that doesn't compromise safety.

i8 Concept

As well as 'conventional' CFRP parts made up of resinated carbon fibre weave, in some areas the BMW i8 Concept additionally contains specially woven CFRP structures referred to as 'braided profiles'. Here, CFRP preforms are woven sort of a sock over a mould. this permits a lot of bigger style freedom, and fewer joints are needed. Flush-fitting connections additionally build the profiles extraordinarily robust. The braided profiles are thus employed in areas – like the door sills, doors and A-pillars – during which bigger strength is needed, not least within the event of a collision. The special producing method concerned makes it extraordinarily straightforward to optimise wall thickness (by adjusting the diameter of the mould). rather more advanced forms can even be achieved while not bonding or the utilization of connecting items and, most significantly, turn out so much fewer waste cuttings. Lower material usage additionally reduces the energy demand.

Source - BMW