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Video: BMW i8 hybrid supercar winter testing

The BMW i8 has been caught undergoing winter testing over the weekend, giving us an intimate look at rolling footage of the German brand’s first ever hybrid supercar.


The i8 is the production version of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept, which made a huge impact when it was initially unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

According to user Scott26 from enthusiast blog BimmerPost, the i8 in the video was undergoing drivetrain testing. He said some details of the vehicle were still subject to change.

A few design elements we hope BMW doesn’t take the axe to are the enormous four-corner flush alloy wheels, the batmobile-esque flowing panels around the taillights and the roof-mounted side mirrors, which change the whole stance of the car and give it a more imposing presence.

The vehicle shown in Frankfurt was powered by a three-cylinder diesel engine and two electric motors, combining for a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.8 seconds and average fuel consumption of 3.76 litres/100km. It had an electric-only range of 50km and an extended range of up to 700km.

The diesel unit will be replaced by a petrol engine in the production model, however, as BMW seeks to make it more relevant to markets outside Europe. The powertrain change is likely to have a negative impact on range and efficiency, but could potentially lead to enhanced performance. Details of the petrol engine are scarce at this stage.

The BMW i8 will be built at the brand’s Leipzig plant in Germany. It will launch shortly after the i3 city car, which debuts in 2013.

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