Spy: 2013 BMW i8 Plug-in Hybrid Sports Car

Below is spied photos. BMW is now concentrating on the development of the first cars to wear the “i” logo, hybrid range-extended and full-electric plug-in vehicles. It was believed that the i8 would keep the concept model’s mechanical hardware with a 163HP 1.5-liter three-cylinder diesel engine located behind the back seats, and two electric motors, one positioned between the diesel engine and the six-speed double clutch transmission, and the other in the front of the vehicle.

BMW R&D chief Klaus Draeger revealed that the diesel unit will be replaced with a gasoline engine in the production model but while the electric motors will remain. “We want to sell it all over the world. Diesel is only really relevant to Europe,” Draeger was quoted as saying. 

The BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car is scheduled to arrive in the market in 2013. 2013 BMW i8 Hybrid Sports Coupe is based on the 2009’s Vision Efficient Dynamics concept model, undergoing cold weather tests in Northern Europe.