IAB Report - India-bound BMW i8 visits the Thailand International Motor Expo 2014

Recently the first deliveries of the i8 were made in Thailand.

At the ongoing Thailand International Motor Expo 2014, BMW showcased its new hybrid sports car just a couple of days after successfully delivering the first batch of them in Thailand.

Launched earlier this year in Thailand at the Bangkok Motor Show, the BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid sports car that derives its power from a conjunction of a three-cylinder turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine for the rear wheels, and an electric motor that powers the front runners. In pure electric mode, it is said to have a range of 37 km and the ability to do 120 km/h at the max.

But using both the engine and the motor together, it offers a maximum of 357 hp of power, and 570 Nm of maximum torque. True to its sportscar credentials, the i8 can reach 100 km/h from standstill in 4.4s while the top-speed is limited to 250 km/h. Even with the added electric equipment, the car weighs just 1,485 kg.

Also read: First eight units of BMW i8 delivered

The i8 will be launched in India next year, and had its local premiere at the 2014 Auto Expo back in February.