i8 is One Seriously Gorgeous Plug-in Bimmer

Who says that once you buy BMW's amazing i8, you have to settle for factory colors?

This particular model is wearing two-tone, satin black and gloss black duds, courtesy of RDB LA's vinyl wrap department.

They also lowered the car and put on custom spacers and wow does it stand out or what? Never mind the fuel economy, electric range, low CO2 emissions and all that. For some, those are simply bonuses to the car's already great looks and impressive performance figures.

It can reach 250 km/h (155 mph) and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.4 seconds - and that's nothing to laugh at.

This car apparently belongs to Los Angeles Lakers Power Forward Julius Randle, who also owns a Range Roverand a Porsche Panamera. The former Kentucky star played only one game in the NBA before getting injured, in which he scored 2 points from the field and missed two free throws from the line, in 13 min of play.

We're glad to see that didn't dampen his spirits and that he's spending his money on things that can put a smile on his face, since that's what life's all about.

Also, we're looking forward to seeing him on the court next season and we definitely commend him for his fine choice in vinyl wrap.

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BMW i8 Concept

The sportiest member of the i series models combines the modified electric drive system from the i3 Concept, but this time fitted over its front axle instead of the rear, with a high-performance, 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder gasoline engine (in place of the Vision ED's diesel unit) developing 220HP (164kW) and 300 Nm (221 lb.ft) at the rear.


The gasoline unit drives the rear wheels through a dual clutch transmission, while the electric motor uses a twin-speed transmission to motivate the front wheels.


Working in tandem, the two drive systems produce a combined output of 349-horses and 550Nm (405.6 lb.ft) of peak torque offering coupe model a 0-100km/h (62mph) acceleration time of just 4.6 seconds and an electronically governed top speed of 250km/h (155mph).


At the same time, BMW says the i8 returns an impressive combined fuel economy in the European cycle of 2.7 liters per 100km (approx. 87mpg US or 104mpg UK).


The i8's electric motor is fed by a large lithium-ion battery, which can be fully charged from a domestic power supply in 1 hour and 45 minutes, offering a pure electric driving range of up to 35 km (approx. 20 miles).


BMW says the positioning of the electric motor and engine over their respective axles result in an optimum 50/50 weight distribution, while the extensive use of lightweight materials including aluminum on the chassis and CFRP (carbonfibre reinforced plastic) on the body, help keep the weight down to 1,480kg or 3,262 pounds.


The i8 2+2 seater and measures 4,632mm long, 1,280 mm tall and 1,955 wide. The concept model will make its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

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Audi A5 E-Tron Quattro Plug-In Hybrid Prototype

This is the A5 e-tron Quattro plug-in hybrid which matches a 2.0 liter TFSI engine with 211 PS (155 kW / 208 bhp) with two electric motors, one on each axle, that makes this A5 an all-electric capable vehicle.

The electric motor at the front adds another 45 PS (33 kW) to the power going through the front wheels while an 81 PS (60 kW) electric motor at the back powers the rear axle. That rear-mounted motor only kicks in when acceleration requires it to or when sensors detect a loss of rear traction such as in a hard curve. Juice for the electric motors is supplied by a 9.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

With that electrical setup, the A5 e-tron Quattro can travel up to 40 km (25 miles) solely on electric power and is able to reach speeds of up to 100 km/h (62 mph). Overall, fuel-economy is rated at 2.7 liters/100 km with a 0 to 100 km/h sprint time of 5.9 seconds (0.6 seconds faster than the standard 2.0 liter TFSI A5) and a top speed of 228 km/h (142 mph).

But this is just a prototype and Audi engineers have had to make use of carbon fiber and aluminum parts to counteract the weight gain of all that electrical gear to keep the curb weight around the same 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) mark of the standard 2.0 TFSI A5 Quattro.

We'll see if this prototype ever makes it to the streets but Peugeot is ready to prove the concept's market-viability by bringing the 3008 HYbrid4 all-wheel drive capable diesel-electric hybrid to market later this year.

Source: Audi via MotorAuthority

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