The BMW i8 is good for 369 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, powering all four wheels. But that’s less important than where the power is coming from. Which in the i8’s case, is the middle. Being mid-engine makes the car more naturally balanced and offers driving dynamics totally unique from more traditional front engine options.

Top speed was also adequate: the BMW i8 can get from 0-60 mph in about 4.4 seconds. Interestingly, the BMW i8 was also the first hybrid/EV to use a two-speed transmission for its electric motor at the front. While the i8 isn’t as economical as BMW had hoped, it’s still more economical than most supercars, capable of returning 35 MPGe. Because of that front electric motor, the latest iteration of the BMW i8 can drive up to 22 miles on pure electric power alone.

The MSRP pricing for the BMW i8 started at $143,400. But unfortunately, the BMW i8 was discontinued so you can only find used / pre-owned models. The BMW i8 can be purchased at great prices, around $60,000-$70,000 used. So should you buy one in 2023?

Let’s find out!

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The performance numbers back up the futuristic soundtrack as the i4 M50 did 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.72 seconds, thus notably beating the 3.9-second time quoted by the German automaker. Perhaps more impressive is the sprint from 62 to 124 mph (100 to 200 km/h), which took approximately eight and a half seconds. EVs tend to run out of puff at higher speeds, but BMW’s zero-emissions 4 Series Gran Coupe has pulling power for a longer time.

The 141 mph (227 km/h) top speed is nothing to write home about and is on par with the electronically limited 140 mph (225 km/h) mentioned by the Bavarian brand in the specs sheet. Numbers aside, those who have driven the i4 M50 praised its handling despite its extra bulk compared to an M3 Sedan or an ALPINA B3. With continuous advancements made in battery tech by improving energy density, future EVs could shed some weight for better performance and efficiency.

A true electric M is unlikely to arrive before 2025 when the Neue Klasse will debut. BMW might have teased a sports car without a combustion engine in a recent presentation to journalists, but even if it’s coming, don’t expect to see it anytime soon.

Source: Automann-TV / YouTube

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Technical specifications are still very much shrouded in mystery, although we are being told it inherits the “secret sauce” of the iconic LFA, a V10-powered supercar. Toyota’s luxury division has previously said the Electrified Sport can do 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in the low two-second range. Lexus says the development would include the adoption of solid-state batteries to speed up charging and increase driving range. The use of next-gen batteries tells us the electric performance machine will likely come out towards the end of the decade.

Lexus says the Electrified Sport concept has been envisioned to cover in excess of 700 kilometers (435 miles) between charges. However, it’s unclear upon which testing cycle this number is based, so we’ll have to wait and find out whether it’s WLTP, EPA, or Japan’s JC08. To live up to its sports car status, the production vehicle that will evolve from the spectacular concept promises to deliver a “seamless connection of deceleration, steering, and acceleration at all times.”

In this video, Supercar Blondie provides an in-depth walk around of the electric concept while also featuring some unique design details.

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To contain that power, the Lucid Air Sapphire comes with carbon-ceramic brakes as standard. The brakes themselves are made by Akebono, a company known for making brakes for the McLaren P1. The front setup uses 10-piston calipers while rear does it with a four-piston setup. There is also a track suspension included, along with staggered wheels wrapped in Michelin PS4S – 265/35R20 at front and 295/30R21 in the rear.

Of course, the performance through the corkscrew was impressive.  The Youtuber mentions the balanced driving dynamics of the Sapphire, despite the neck-snapping performance. The acceleration pulled hard across the entire RPM range while the brakes were aggressive in providing adequate stopping power. Naturally, The Stig ran with the traction control off which allows plenty of spin wheel on the track.

No word on the EV range after the hot laps. But the Lucid Air Dream Edition covers around 500 miles on a single charge. It’s likely that Air Sapphire will have a lower range, but no official info yet. The price for the Lucid Air Sapphire is $249,000.

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The BMW iX also gets augmented reality navigation with a live feed of the road ahead is projected onto the display, with digital graphic overlays added to it, to help the driver navigate tricky areas. The steering wheel features several function keys allowing you to personalize onscreen options, as well as navigate the displays and toggle between menus and widgets. Backseat passengers also have access to some unique features, like USB-C ports embedded in the seats.

The BMW iX xDrive50 is the only iX variant currently on sale in America, so if you want one now, it’s your only choice. At $83,200, it’s priced about the same as the equivalent BMW X5 M50i. However, if you want to wait for the iX M60 performance variant, the price jumps up to $106,095, similar the X5 M. What do you get for your extra money? In terms of options, Adaptive Air Suspension is standard on the iX M60, while it’s an optional extra on the xDrive50. The M60 also gets 21″ wheels as-standard. Gesture Control and the Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system are also standard kit on the M60 but not on the xDrive50.

The video also goes over some hidden features and also how to use the BMW iX key fob, in case it runs out of battery. So let’s take a loo at this BMW iX demo video.

[Source: BMWBLOG]

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The YouTuber says that that the current hype surrounding the 800-volt technology of some vehicles is unjustified. In real life, he showcases that BMW i4 eDrive40 can also be used with the 400-volt charging technology with more than 200 kW. Of course, he also recommends to resort to fast charging only when absolute needed since it can have an effect on your battery life. The BMW i4 doesn’t sacrifice any charge time versus the Tesla Model 3, either. The Model 3 can technically charge faster, at 250 kW compared to the i4’s 200 kW, however the BMW i4 can charge at its peak speed for longer, allowing both cars to recharge about 80 percent of their battery in 30 minutes.

The BMW i4 eDrive40 uses a single rear-mounted motor, making 250 kW (335 horsepower), which is fed electricity by an 84 kWh battery pack (81.5 kWh usable). On Level 2, the BMW i4 can charge up to 11 kW, which will take the vehicle from 0 to 100 percent in just under 8 hours. The DC fast charger can charge up to 90 miles of range in 10 minutes at top speed. Let’s take a look!

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On paper, the M3P has a couple of important advantages as it’s substantially cheaper and has a longer range. It doesn’t have the build quality or the prestige of a BMW, but has the straight-line performance to live up to its suffix. TFLEV tested the two electric performance vehicles back-to-back in 0 to 60 mph runs before doing a couple of drag races.

The Tesla Model 3 Performance hit 60 mph from a standstill in 3.63 seconds, thus comparable to supercars from not that many years ago. As for the i4 M50, it held its own since the electric M Performance was barely any slower. It did the job in 3.72 seconds, which means a true M version of the i4 would beat the Tesla.

In the subsequent drag races, the BMW had to settle for second place. It’s largely because the Model 3 Performance had a better start in both instances. In the first quarter-mile run, the i4 M50 completed the run in 11.98 seconds at 119.2 mph. As for the Tesla, it crossed the finish line in 11.83 seconds at 118 mph. The BMW’s higher trap speed means it was beginning to catch up, but it was too little too late.

It was déjà vu in the second drag as the M3P once again took the win. The Tesla completed the sprint in 11.92 at 118 mph whereas the BMW needed 12.06 seconds at 120.8 mph. Again, the i4 M50 was faster by the end of the race, but not enough to recuperate the lost ground.

Let’s take a look!

Source: TFLEV / YouTube

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Although not necessarily noticeable, the eDrive35L sits 44 mm (1.73 inches) lower than a gasoline- or diesel-fueled 3 Series. The i3 Sedan is the first 3er ever with air suspension, albeit it’s only at the rear axle. Another change we’ll see on the global 3 Series is the switch to the iDrive 8 shared with the i4. The latter’s bulky gear lever has made way for a simplified switch in the same vein as the iX’s. It sits next to the familiar blue start/stop button and the dial to control the latest-gen infotainment.

As a refresher, the BMW i3 is based on the locally produced long-wheelbase configuration, hence the letter “L” at the end of the car’s name. The i3 Sedan is not the only China-built electric BMW as the iX3 is also produced there. However, the difference between the two is that the RWD-only crossover is available in export markets.

Source: 科技小辛 / YouTube

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The i7 is rumored to deliver between 500 and 550 horsepower, and massive amount of torque. There are no official specs yet since all the details are kept under wraps until April 20th. BMWBLOG says that the i7’s acceleration is instant and brutal, making for an extremely fast driving experience. The BMW i7 prototype was also equipped with an air suspension, four-wheel steering, integral steering and electronic adjustable dampers.

There was no scientific test performed, but the reviewer is confident that a 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 km/h) will come in the low 4 seconds. As of right now, there’s at least one model variant confirmed — the BMW i7 xDrive60. On BMW’s website, it reveals a few interesting details about the BMW i7 xDrive60, enough that we can begin to make some likely accurate assumptions. For starters, it’s going to have a BMW-claimed maximum range of 324 miles. That range figure tells us it might have the same 105.2 kWh usable battery pack as the BMW iX xDrive50, as that car also has a max range of 324 miles.

There will be additional models; a higher-performance model and a potential entry-level model. The higher performance model was already teased by BMW CTO Frank Weber. The development boss said that the most powerful 7 Series model will be all-electric which could point to a BMW i7 M70.

However, for now the BMW i7 xDrive60 is all that’s confirmed and these options are all that BMW has released. We’ll see the rest on April 20.

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Looking large and in charge, the BMW’s belated answer to the Mercedes EQS is seen being pushed hard by the test driver. One would argue that such a large and heavy sedan has no place at the Green Hell, but automakers would beg to differ. The Nordschleife is where the vast majority of European (and South Korean) manufacturers test their future models. It’s a challenging and long track, allowing companies to test different components to solve issues before starting production.

The i7 xDrive60 version has already been confirmed by BMW USA on its website, but it won’t be the flagship trim. Instead, we have it on good authority an M Performance version will be the crown jewel, potentially dubbed i7 M70. It should serve as an indirect replacement for the soon-to-be-discontinued M760i and its mighty V12. Nothing is official at this point, but we’re expecting roughly 640 hp to top the 610-hp iX M60.

BMW has already teased split headlight design, along with the pop-up door handles and a thin strip for the taillights.The i7 is next in line to get the bigger grille, not that the outgoing 7er LCI has small kidneys anyway. Although the footage only captures the exterior, we know for a fact that the cabin will be radically changed. Aside from the adoption of iDrive 8, the range-topping BMW will have a screen just for the front passenger. In the back, a huge 31-inch panoramic display will take rear entertainment systems to a whole new level.

Source: Automotive Mike / YouTube

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