The Gentleman Magazine Issue 20 | April 2020 | Page 56

Innovation leader even beyond BMW eDrive drive technology
Right from the start, the pioneering function of the BMW i8
extended far beyond establishing BMW eDrive technology
in an iconic sports car. The extensive use of CFRP in the
body structure and the clearly visible measures to reduce
air resistance, set new standards in the areas of intelligent
lightweight construction and aerodynamics. Together with
the BMW i3, the plug-in hybrid sports car paved the way for
innovative manufacturing technologies, with which the BMW
Group became a pioneer in the use of CFRP in the industrial
production of series-produced automobiles. The experience
gained at BMW i with this particularly light high-tech material
secured the BMW Group lightweight construction expertise
that is unique in the automotive industry and has since been
used in the development of CFRP components for other BMW
models.
The progressive character of the BMW i8 was also evident at
first glance in the expressive yet aerodynamically optimised
design of its exterior. Its dynamic sports car proportions and
the gull-wing-like doors that swing open to the front still attract
attention today. The flat front end, the almost completely closed
BMW kidney grille, air curtains in the front apron, the covered
underbody, contoured side skirts, the lines of the side section
known as Stream Flow, and the air ducts between the rear
lights and the roof frame also allow the wind to be directed in
a targeted manner. It not only results in a low drag coefficient
(Cd value) of 0.26, but also in an exceptionally favourable
aerodynamic balance. The ideal ratio of air resistance and lift
for driving dynamics and safety is characteristic of this and is
achieved without additional spoiler attachments.
The selection of materials for the interior and in the production
of the BMW i8 was focussed greatly on sustainability. The
leather used for the surfaces of the seats and instrument panel
is tanned with an extract of olive tree leaves. The starting
material for the textile materials is a polyester granulate, which
comes from recycled PET, among other things.
The holistic sustainability concept that is characteristic of BMW
i vehicles extends from development and design to production,
use and recycling and thus covers the entire value chain. Not
only is the proportion of recycled plastics exceptionally high,
most of the aluminium used in the BMW i8 is also either
obtained by recycling or produced using regenerative energy.
In addition, the electricity required for the production of the
BMW i8 Coupé and the BMW i8 Roadster at the BMW plant in
Leipzig comes from four wind turbines on the plant premises.
The electrical energy required for carbon fibre production in
Moses Lake in the US state of Washington is generated from
100% hydropower.
At its market launch, the BMW i8 was the world's first series-
produced car to be equipped with innovative laser headlights.
Following its world premiere in the BMW i8, the BMW
laser light was also introduced in other models - first in the
luxury sedans of the BMW 7 Series and then in numerous
other model series. The BMW laser light provides particularly
intensive illumination of the road and a considerable increase
in the range of the high beam. At the same time, the energy
consumption is again significantly reduced, even compared to
the already particularly efficient LED headlights.
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In the field of drive technology, the forefather of all plug-in
hybrid models in the BMW Group was also the pioneer of a
new generation of combustion engines. A new 3-cylinder
petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology was
used for the first time in the BMW i8. The 1.5 litre engine was
characterised both by a particularly compact design and an
exceptionally high specific power output. With 113 kW/154 hp
per litre displacement, a new record for BMW series models
was achieved.
BMW i8 Roadster: Fresh impulses for achieving sustainable
driving pleasure
With the world premiere of the BMW i8 Roadster, fresh impetus
for sustainable driving pleasure was provided in autumn 2017.
The open two-seater now offered the opportunity to experience
the fascination of this visionary sports car in the open air - a
truly pure experience in purely electric drive mode.
The output of the plug-in hybrid drive was also increased for
the BMW i8 Coupé with the world premiere of the BMW i8
Roadster. Since then, the high-voltage storage battery of both
models has had a cell capacity increased from 20 to 34 Ah
and a gross energy content of 11.6 kWh. At the same time,
optimized battery cell technology made it possible to increase
the peak output of the electric motor by 9 kW/12 hp to 105
kW/143 hp. In combination with the combustion engine, this
resulted in a system output of 275 kW/374 hp. The BMW i8
Coupé now accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds,
while the BMW i8 Roadster takes 4.6 seconds. Both models
reach a top speed of 250 km/h. The electric range is now 55
kilometres for the BMW i8 Coupé and 53 kilometres for the
BMW i8 Roadster.
Innovative production processes were used in the construction
of the soft top for the roadster. For the first time, the aluminium
connecting parts of the soft top mechanism to the bodywork
were manufactured using a new type of 3D printing process.
This manufacturing process for aluminium components,
which is new to the automotive sector, makes it possible to
produce the topology-optimised struts in a geometric shape
that would not be possible using conventional casting methods
and ensures an optimum balance between component rigidity
and weight. Thanks to the expertise acquired by BMW i,
additive manufacturing processes can now be used for a
steadily increasing number of components and in models of
various series.
A real winner right from the outset: Numerous awards for
concept, design, technology, sustainability and driving pleasure
No matter whether as an eye-catcher on the street or as a serial
winner in jury evaluations and reader surveys: The BMW i8
impresses sports car fans and experts time and again. Five
times in a row between 2015 and 2019 its plug-in hybrid drive
won at least one title at the world-renowned "Engine of the
Year Award". In addition, the vehicle concept and technology
of the BMW i8 have been awarded the "Auto Trophy" and the
"Green Mobility Trophy" of the "Auto Zeitung” car magazine,
the "International Paul Pietsch Award" of the "auto, motor und
sport” car magazine and the "Car Connectivity Award" of "auto,
motor und sport" and "Chip", among others. The title "World
Green Car" went to the plug-in hybrid sports car as well as the
class victory in the "All-Wheel Drive Car of the Year” survey.
, Securing the Internet of Things”