BMW i8: Technology

The Ultimate Driving Machine is always technologically advanced…

The BMW i8 has an aerodynamically optimized body design with patented “LifeDrive” architecture. Its life module passenger shell is made from the “Carbon-Fibre Reinforced Plastic” (CFRP) Technology. One of the attributes of this lightweight material is its torsional rigidity, yet it is 50% lighter than aluminium. The battery pack is positioned low down into a central position in the platform which lowers the center of gravity. It is less than 460 mm from the ground and it is the lowest profile of any current BMW.

The sophisticated chassis of the BMW i8 uses a double-wishbone front axle with a five-link rear axle. LifeDrive architecture is a brand new technology from “The Ultimate Driving Machine.” The focal point is the “Life module.” It is made from carbon-fibre reinforced plastic and it forms the cage-like passenger cell that is fused to the aluminium Drive module that houses all drive and chassis technology. This is the perfect platform for agility. The i8 has an almost 50/50 weight distribution.

The BMW i8 allows the driver to adjust the drive and suspension settings to tune the driving experience to suit their taste. Five modes are available at the touch of a button, the Driver Experience Control switch or patented “eDrive” button, which is exclusive to the i8. “D” is for automatic gear selection in COMFORT and ECO PRO modes, SPORT mode and eDrive for all-electric driving with a choice of COMFORT and ECO PRO mode.

Upon starting the ignition the driver is presented with two choices COMFORT & ECO PRO. The power train coordinator is the controller that “intelligently-manages” the protocol of these two choices. COMFORT mode offers sporty performance and fuel efficiency with unrestricted access to all convenience features. ECO PRO mode is an efficiency-optimized driving style. The controller is “intelligent” enough to decide with driving situations whether to recuperate braking energy or coast with the drivetrain disengaged. ECO PRO programs electrical amenities such as the air conditioning, heated seats, heated mirrors, etc to operate with efficiency without compromising safety.

SPORT mode is just as it suggests. It is the more spirited of the choices. SPORT combines both the gasoline engine and the electric motor for maximum performance. It activates maximum energy recuperation during overrun and braking. The electric motor’s generator switches to its more powerful setting when kinetic energy is recharging the battery. SPORT mode offers sequential manual gear selection adjusting drive and suspension settings. Gear change times are shortened with an extra sporty setting selected for the standard Dynamic Damper Control as well as the Electric Power Steering. The ECO PRO mode can be used during all-electric operation. The i8 is on power solely by the electric motor. Should the battery drop below a given level or sudden intense acceleration, the gasoline engine immediately engages.

The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) includes ABS, Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Brake Assist, Brake Standby, Start-off Assistant, Fading Compensation, and the Brake Drying function. The Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) system raises the DSC thresholds allowing some controlled drive-wheel slippage for easier start off on snow or loose ground or for extra-dynamic cornering.

This is where it all begins……….

The BMW Group is the world’s first carmaker to employ an environmentally friendly process for the treatment of leather. The leather for the surfaces of the seats and the instrument panel is tanned using olive leaf extract. This avoids the creation of environmentally damaging production residue as well as giving the leather a particularly high-quality and natural look. The cattle hide comes exclusively from Germany, Austria and Switzerland, and the natural treatment process takes place in Germany. This keeps distances to the BMW i8 production facility at BMW Plant Leipzig pleasingly short.

The BMW i8 uses sophisticated camera coordination through the” Surround View” system. Park Distance Control has sensors in the front and rear of the car. The i8 features a cruise control system with braking function. The optional BMW ConnectedDrive driver assistance package has HighBeam Assistant, a rear-view camera, Surround View, Speed Limit Info including No Passing Info Display, and Collision Warning with pedestrian recognition and braking function.

The key to this versatility is the innovative LifeDrive architecture, which opens up an exceptional degree of freedom for the design of BMW i cars. The central element of the Life module is the carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell. The Life module is fixed to the aluminium Drive module, which houses all the drive and chassis technology. This distinctive two-way split is reflected on both the outside and the inside of the car by the visible layering and intertwining of different surfaces, with three-dimensional and flowing transitions between the Life module and Drive module accentuating the dynamic appearance of the BMW i8.

The rear lights, reflectors and rear diffuser form a single visual unit that strengthens the car’s already powerful appearance. Like the headlights, the intricately designed rear light clusters also feature the characteristic BMW i U-shaped design.

The BMW i8 embodies a revolutionary, future-focused interpretation of the driving pleasure for which BMW is renowned. It was purpose-designed as a plug-in-hybrid sports car offering agile performance and outstanding efficiency. An exceptionally lightweight and aerodynamically optimized body – including a passenger cell made from carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) – plus advanced BMW eDrive drive system technology, a compact, highly turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and intelligent energy management all come together to create an overall concept that represents a new landmark in the Efficient Dynamics development strategy. The BMW i8 blends the performance of a top-end sports car with fuel economy and emissions more familiar in a small city model. It is based, moreover, around a vehicle architecture that offers the perfect platform for thrillingly agile handling, thanks to an ultra-low center of gravity and almost exactly 50 : 50 weight distribution.

Tomorrow’s technology is presented today

BMW and Technology are synonymous to the industry………..NotoriouslyFuturistic