Energy Efficient Dream Cars of The Future

 BMW I8- An Icon Of Progress

The new BMW Concept I8 Spyder is one of the most innovative dream cars ever designed. Powered by BMW eDrive technology built with the agile BMW electric motor, innovative battery technology, and a highly intelligent engine management system, it’s safe to say that the future of car technology has arrived. Reaching a system output of a whopping 354hp while only utilizing a minuscule 2.7 litres of fuel at 60 mph, is simply mind blowing.

Its sleek design lends much to its already aerodynamic performance mechanics, giving it an appearance of surging forward at any speed. It’s just beautiful, with a perfect combination of technology and aesthetic appeal. The overall design offers the driver a completely unique driving experience.

BMW brings to you the concept car with its futuristic spaceship good looks and it’s even more impressive technology components which are leading the way in the plug-in Hybrid luxury cars of the world.  The I8 is the next step in the BMW vision EfficentDynamic Concept, and it doesn’t disappoint. It is hailed as the most innovative and progressively forward vehicle of its time.  The I8 Concept vehicle makes a cameo in the new film In Time starring Justin Timberlake and Amanda Seyfried. It’s no surprise since it perfectly embodies the dream cars of our future.

The I8 combines the electrical I-Drive of the I3 concept (modified of course) fitted over the front axle with a high performance three cylinder turbo charged gas combustion engine producing 220hp and 221 Lb-ft torque, 0 to 62 mph times of just under 5 seconds with both propulsion systems working together, giving the I8 the performance of a sports car and the fuel efficiency of a smart dream car. The I8 delivers average fuel economy of 93 miles per gallon, when both power sources are working together and 20 miles on just electric.  The lifeDrive architecture has been scrutinized to provide sports car handling and unrivaled luxury performance. The front axle module is connected to the combustion engine on the rear axle via the energy tunnel which houses the high voltage lithium batteries giving the car its low center of gravity and its perfect 50-50 weight distribution.

The body design of the I8 Concept embodies the perfect synthesis of technology and aesthetic appeal. Beautiful sweeping lines and flat silhouette making the I8 look as if it’s going 200mph even when it is standing still. BMW incorporated the shinny metallic body panels and the black center monocoque of the I8 beautifully. I also like the way the I8 portrays an open to the world perspective with the fully see through occupant cabin. The overall design is super futuristic with short over hangs front and rear rounding out the overall sportiness of the I8 concept. All the design cues hide the fact that the I8 is a 2+2 can seat 4 quite comfortably for the long road trips.

In the Interior you are sure to be amazed the I8 fully transports the driver to another world with all of its electronic components enough to make Captain Kirk green with envy.  The transparent surfaces of the I8 Concept give the appearance of merging together as one. The colors of the interior are laid out in three separate sections just like in the I3 concept. The porcelain white support structure, black technical and Mocha brown leather finish the interior touches. The interior is heavily focused on driver position and functionality. Driver relevant functions such as gear shift, start button and hand brake are all arranged around the center console. The coolest part about the I8 Concept interior is the 2 3-d digital displays one located in the center of the dash board and the other is used for the instrument cluster. This car feeds technical data from the car to the driver displayed in a three dimensional high resolution format. Really cool looking. Some of the information shared is the two drive systems which appear in as two ellipses giving information on their operation at any given time as well as MPH, Rpm, fuel level, range and GPS display.

The BMW I8 Concept is one of the coolest hybrid vehicles to come out of a car manufacturer to date and if this is the way that hybrids are going I think we will all enjoy the future of automobiles, especially the luxury motors. The I8 gives you everything you want; performance, good looks, and the green factor everyone is demanding these days.  I know I want one, how about you?

How about its brother the i3 concept SUV BMW?…

The BMW i3 Concept Coupe makes automobile history as the first fully-connected electric vehicle, built specifically with the demands of e-mobility in mind.

The BMW i3 Concept Coupe’s electric engine generates an output of 125 kW/170 hp (and a maximum torque of 250 Newton meters) by transferring a spontaneous onset of power via a single stage gearbox to the rear wheels. The e-motor gathers its energy from powerful lithium-ion batteries, which are smoothly integrated into the vehicle’s under body. Three energy modes – COMFORT, ECO PRO and ECO PRO+ – allow the driver to choose from maximum ride comfort, extended range and maximum range, again customizing the driving experience.

The coupe is equipped with the BMW Connected Drive navigation system that is consistently customized to the needs of e-mobility. A central piece of this navigation feature is a dynamic range indicator that takes into account all relevant factors such as battery charge and driving style, as well as topographic conditions or even the current traffic situation. Upon the driver’s request, a charging station located near the destination is displayed and can be reserved with the touch of a button. The system also informs its driver how long the battery needs to be charged to complete the return journey or to continue on to another destination. With this comprehensive approach to navigating an urban environment, the BMW i3 Concept Coupe driver’s mobility can be managed with unique precision, reliability and comfort.

We’re in awe of the technology of these future dream cars, and simply left wondering what BMW will do next?…And admittedly, can’t wait.

Welcome to The Future.