Jump to content
News
Reviews
Discussons
Activity
Create New...
Close

  • 💬 Join the Conversation

    CnG Logo SQ 2023 RedBlue FavIcon300w.png
    Since 2001, Cheers & Gears has been the go-to hub for automotive enthusiasts. Join today to access our vibrant forums, upload your vehicle to the Garage, and connect with fellow gearheads around the world.

     

  • William Maley
    William Maley

    By William Maley •

    Spying: BMW i8

    William Maley

    Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

    December 29, 2011

    BMW is serious with their upcoming i lineup with the i3 and i8 due out in 2014. The i series will utilize BMW’s LifeDrive architecture, which essentially is a composite body/passenger cell mated to a powertrain unit (or units).

    BMW is busy doing testing on both models to get them ready and an i8 was recently caught by a spy photographer.

    Designwise, the i8 mule stays true to the concept except for the doors. The pictures show the mule dropping the long glass doors for carbon fiber for better protection in crashes. The front end reveals that i8 will come with active aerodynamics; shutters in upper and/or lower grilles to help control airflow.

    Other design cues on this mule include the roofline separating from the vehicle and then coming back at the rear end and cooling ducts for the gas engine.

    Speaking of the gas engine, the i8 will use a three-cylinder combined with a electric motor. A long, lithium-polymer battery pack residing in what would normally be the transmission tunnel completes the powertrain.

    Source: Car & Driver

    Go to articles

    User Feedback

    Recommended Comments

    Robert Hall

    wouldn't it make more sense if a model called I8 was powered by an I8 engine?

    No. The M3 and M5 aren't powered by a 3 or 5 cyl, the Z4 doesn't necessarily have a 4cyl, and the X5 doesn't have a 5cyl. Haven't seen an explanation of the 'i' prefix as far as the new sub-series goes, but I assume it's for 'intelligent' or 'innovation'.

    Edited by Cubical-aka-Moltar
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Robert Hall

    wouldn't it make more sense if a model called I8 was powered by an I8 engine?

    Z4 doesn't have a 4cyl

    well... actually....

    I guess it does..base version maybe? I always think of it as a 6 cyl model..

    Edited by Cubical-aka-Moltar
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Z-06

    wouldn't it make more sense if a model called I8 was powered by an I8 engine?

    Z4 doesn't have a 4cyl

    well... actually....

    I guess it does..base version maybe? I always think of it as a 6 cyl model..

    Well here for previous generation and first MY of new generation. Z4 in EU has been equipped with 4 cylinders since its inception.

    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    balthazar
    Haven't seen an explanation of the 'i' prefix as far as the new sub-series goes, but I assume it's for 'intelligent' or 'innovation'.

    LOL - "i" still stands for fuel injection. BMW welcomes you to 1975. ;)

    An I8 would really stand out in the field (not that being the only brand still carrying the '1954 inline torch' isn't, already).

    They bolt 2 more cylinders on & market it as a 'big brother' to the 6. :D

    • Disagree 1
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites
    Robert Hall
    Haven't seen an explanation of the 'i' prefix as far as the new sub-series goes, but I assume it's for 'intelligent' or 'innovation'.

    LOL - "i" still stands for fuel injection. BMW welcomes you to 1975. ;)

    No, that's i when it's used at the end..like 328i. This is the 'i' subbrand like M, X, or Z. Different paradigm.

    Edited by Cubical-aka-Moltar
    Link to comment
    Share on other sites


    Join the conversation

    You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
    Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

    Guest
    Add a comment...

    ×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

      Only 75 emoji are allowed.

    ×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

    ×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

    ×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

    ×



  • Support Real Automotive Journalism

    Cheers and Gears Logo

    Since 2001, Cheers & Gears has delivered real content and honest opinions — not emotionless AI output or manufacturer-filtered fluff.

    If you value independent voices and authentic reviews, consider subscribing. Plans start at just $2.25/month, and paid members enjoy an ad-light experience.*

    You can view subscription options here.

    *a very limited number of ads contain special coupon deals for our members and will show

  • Posts

    • trinacriabob
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By trinacriabob · Posted

      I've taken the Boeing assembly tour as an adult and, when I was a kid in scouting, United Airlines gave us a tour. There are 3 tours that I would really like to take to see how the processes work since I could probably understand them better today: 1) the USPS processing and distribution system 2) the waste collection system 3) the recycling system
    • G. David Felt
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By G. David Felt · Posted

      Janitors like that piss me off as they are just freaking LAZY!
    • trinacriabob
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By trinacriabob · Posted

      Recycling can be aggravating in some places.  I am very far from being a tree hugger, but I'm a big believer in recycling.  When you're in a red state and/or an area where they just don't care, you may not even find the bins for it.  Sometimes I find that I keep my recyclable things in the car until I find some bins.  I couldn't believe how many rest areas in Florida do not have recycling bins, so the junk accumulates in my rental car.  Then, I've been at libraries where they have the separate bins and watched the janitor pick up the trash ... only to watch him just throw all the recyclable stuff in with the regular trash.
    • Drew Dowdell
      AI Autospotters

      By Drew Dowdell · Posted

      Trying an AI Genesis G60 again with the link @G. David Felt provided.  I like this interior a lot more, I'm not sure about the look from the front.    Here's the ones from the other thread
    • G. David Felt
      Random Thoughts Thread

      By G. David Felt · Posted

      Seems like the car segment in Europe  has finally joined the rest of the world as car sales tank in the move to SUVs. https://www.carscoops.com/2025/12/premium-sedan-sales-are-collapsing-in-europe-but-theres-hope/

  • Who's Online (See full list)

    • There are no registered users currently online

  • My Clubs

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.

Hey there, we noticed you're using an ad-blocker. We're a small site that is supported by ads or subscriptions. We rely on these to pay for server costs and vehicle reviews.  Please consider whitelisting us in your ad-blocker, or if you really like what you see, you can pick up one of our subscriptions for just $1.75 a month or $15 a year. It may not seem like a lot, but it goes a long way to help support real, honest content, that isn't generated by an AI bot.

See you out there.

Drew
Editor-in-Chief

I've whitelisted
Continue without support

Write what you are looking for and press enter or click the search icon to begin your search