i8 Coupé
362 PS combined. A three-cylinder hybrid sports car.
2014 European launch specification · combined system figures · Factory source
Every figure, in one place.
Performance
- Power
- 362 PS · 357 hp · 266 kW
- Torque
- 570 Nm
- 0–100 km/h
- 4.4 s
- Top speed
- 250 km/h · limited
- Power-to-weight
- 4.10 kg/PS
Engine and drivetrain
- Engine
- B38 + eDrive · Inline-three + electric motor
- Displacement
- 1,499 cm³
- Induction
- Single turbo + electric drive
- Gearbox
- 6-speed automatic + 2-speed electric
- Drivetrain
- Hybrid all-wheel drive
- Powertrain
- Plug-in hybrid
Body and dimensions
- Production
- 2014–2020
- Body
- Coupés
- Length
- 4,689 mm
- Width
- 1,942 mm
- Height
- 1,293 mm
- Wheelbase
- 2,800 mm
- Kerb weight
- 1,485 kg
- Fuel tank
- 42 L
Battery and charging
- Usable battery
- 5.2 kWh
- Electric range
- 37 km
Where this car ranks across all 93 cars in the catalogue.
Why you’d want one
- Exploring an unconventional hybrid sports car.
Know before you buy
- High-voltage battery and charger faults need dealer diagnosis
- Door seals and carbon-tub repairs are specialist work
- Low-profile tyres are expensive
Commonly reported ownership points, not a guarantee of faults. Always get an independent inspection.
A sports car with two power sources.
The i8 pairs a mid-mounted turbocharged three-cylinder with a front electric motor. Its unusual arrangement explains why hybrid system power deserves a separate label from engine-only power.
Exploring an unconventional hybrid sports car.
Inspect both high-voltage and combustion systems.
The combustion engine has three cylinders; the front axle receives electric drive.
B38 + eDrive · Inline-three + electric motor
The original i8 combines a mid-mounted 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine with a front electric motor. Its 362 PS and 570 Nm headline figures describe the combined hybrid system.
B38-family three-cylinder in a MINI Cooper. Related engine reference; this is not the i8’s rear-mounted installation or its electric motor.
B38 + eDrive · Plug-in hybrid
The original i8 combines a mid-mounted 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine with a front electric motor. Its 362 PS and 570 Nm headline figures describe the combined hybrid system.
One turbocharger
One exhaust-driven turbocharger compresses the intake air. Charge-air cooling then reduces the temperature before the air reaches the cylinders.
Hybrid all-wheel drive
The engine drives the rear axle through a six-speed automatic. The front motor has its own transmission; coordinating both axles provides all-wheel-drive capability.
Understand the system figures
The petrol engine alone develops 231 PS and 320 Nm. It drives the rear wheels, while the main electric motor drives the front wheels. A rechargeable battery supplies electric energy. Later 374 PS models have a different battery and system output.
2014 European launch specification · combined system figures
Power and torque above describe combined system output for this specific factory specification. PS means metric horsepower; hp is used for US-rated output. Other model years and markets can differ. Open the BMW factory source for the original specification.
The full specification.
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Photo credits
- BMW i8 front (21038420335).jpg — Zytonits · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Original