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
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