Frankfurt auto show: BMW launches i8 plug-in hybrid supercar

BMW has at last shown off the full production version of its i8 supercar at the Frankfurt motor show. The production i8 loses the concept's distinctive all-glass doors, but they do at least still open up and forward, giving this new BMW a faint tang of Italian exotica. The rest of the styling has been more or less entirely carried over from the concept - it's almost perfectly tear-drop shaped with a stunningly minimalist rear end and a cabin that's surprisingly conventional for such a ground-breaking car.

The core of the i8 is its innovative carbon-fibre and aluminium chassis, which along with a large number of magnesium components, helps to keep its overall weight down to 1,400kg. That’s heavy for a sports car but light considering that the i8 is lugging around the batteries and motors for its plugin hybrid drivetrain. That drivetrain consists of a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, putting out 228bhp. When added to the efforts of the two electric motors, one for the rear wheels, one for the front, the overall power output of the car is 356bhp.

If BMW’s claims are to be believed, the combination of lightweight tech and hybrid power allows the i8 to mix sporting performance (0-100kmh in 4.4secs, around the same time as an M3 coupe and with the same limited 250kmh top speed) with remarkable fuel economy and emissions. The official figures for now are 113mpg and Co2 emissions of just 25g/km. That, of course, assumes that you will be using the plugin hybrid’s electric-only driving range of 30km to the fullest possible extent. Still, remarkable figures all the same and even if the real-world results will be doubtless less impressive, they will still be a considerable achievement for a mid-engined supercar. Using the petrol and electric engines together, BMW claims the car’s overall touring range is 500km.

Incidentally, BMW claims that in spite of being carbon-fibre, the i8’s construction is almost entirely carbon-free. The high-tech chassis are made in a plant in Leipzig which is supposed to draw all of its power from local wind farms.

Quite apart from the i8, BMW are having a hectic Frankfurt, as it’s also showing off a bevy of other new concepts and production models. In concept form officially, but in reality in tinly disguised production form, are the new M4 Coupe with its powerful twin-turbo straight six engine and the new Concept Activity Tourer - BMW’s first dip of the toe into the MPV class, and with front wheel drive to boot. Also appearing are the new X5 Concept Plugin Hybrid (74mpg from an X5!) and the first public debuts for the 4 Series Coupe and the updated 5 Series saloon.

Meanwhile, providing transport between the 11 halls for weary journalists is a fleet of the new electric i3 superminis. While the €33,000-plus price tag is undoubtedly making some baulk - along with the limited range - the interior is truly impressive and even this cynical motoring hack is impressed with the qualityand originality of its interior. Inside it certainly looks and feels premium enough for the price tag. Most, however, will dismiss it long before they open the door. That’s life....