[Aditya]

The i8 has been spotted again at a dealership. Here are some more images.

Link to Team-BHP News Article

















Source: Shifting-Gears

[amansanc]

Originally Posted by ///RMan

The same one?

Yes the same one. Have some better pics of both the cars. Interiors + exteriors. But as i said, can't share them on an open forum


Cheers
amansanc

[Aditya]

BMW will launch the i8 in India on February 18, 2015.

Link to Team-BHP News Article

[atul.sxna]

If only the Govt. of the day does something about the exorbitant import duties on automobiles, us mortals might someday actually get to lay our hands on these beauties.

[Sahil]

Originally Posted by atul.sxna

If only the Govt. of the day does something about the exorbitant import duties on automobiles, us mortals might someday actually get to lay our hands on these beauties.

I doubt govt will do anything to reduce duties in India on regular petrol/diesel cars given their "Make in India" campaign. However, it is justified for them to reduce duties drastically on Hybrid and electric cars. The i8 then could be prices much better and we could see cars like the S400 Hybrid etc coming in with a price tag close to their diesel variants.

There was news that govt is giving 15% rebate on the MRP price of Hybrid cars. However when I checked this with the local BMW dealership on the Active7 Hybrid they said they have no information on this nor will they take any guarantee of the rebate coming as it is directly between customer and govt.
If the govt indeed wants to pass this rebate it needs to be done via the dealerships so the price benefit is in the MRP itself.

[atul.sxna]

Originally Posted by Sahil

However, it is justified for them to reduce duties drastically on Hybrid and electric cars. The i8 then could be prices much better and we could see cars like the S400 Hybrid etc coming in with a price tag close to their diesel variants.

There was news that govt is giving 15% rebate on the MRP price of Hybrid cars.

You're quite right on that. The govt. does incentivize hybrid technologies and infact subsidizes the cost of cars like Reva, though not many consumers know about it.

I'm not sure if the same is extended to foreign manufacturers. However, if this is implemented in the right spirit with the right amount of information flowing to the public it could change the air composition of a lot of cities.

[Senna4Ever]

Originally Posted by PPS

3 i8's have landed. I guess these must be the demo/display cars.

Another 3 I8 have found their way in !! Note that declared value is much less than first 3 cars. I believe that ex-showroom prices could start as low as 1.5 cr -ish.

[Turbanator]

Note that declared value is much less than first 3 cars

Reduction that you see in Value (INR) is due to depreciation of Euro by about 10-12 % since October 2014

[//M]

BMW launched the i8 in India at Rs 2.29 Crores.

Source: ACI

The BMW i8 has been launched in India at Rs 2.29 crore (ex-showroom, India). The i8 is a hybrid sportscar from the Bavarian carmaker, and was first revealed in India at the Delhi Auto Expo 2014.

Mechanically, the i8 is powered by either a petrol engine, an electric motor, or a combination of both. The petrol engine is a 1.5-litre 3-cylinder turbocharged unit that makes 228bhp, while the electric motor makes 129bhp. The combined output stands at 357bhp. BMW claims that the i8 can sprint from 0-100kph in 4.4 seconds, while managing an electronically-limited top whack of 250kph. What adds to the i8’s performance, is that the car is built primarily out of carbon fibre and even though it has a large battery pack, it weighs just 1,490kg.

Visually, there aren’t too many cars that are as striking as the i8. It has this out-worldly look, thanks to a low slung, coupe-like structure, draped in silver, with blue accents.

The i8 is the first of the ‘i’ branded cars from BMW to be launched in India. It’s a car that attempts to deliver big, both on performance as well as the ‘green’ credentials. And that, very clearly, does not come cheap. Also to be noted is the fact that this is basically a halo car in BMW’s portfolio, and will be brought into India as a CBU in limited numbers.

[Tushar]

BMW has officially launched the i8 hybrid supercar in India at an all-India ex-showroom price of Rs 2.29 Crore.

High Points:

• The i8 is powered by a 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder, BMW TwinPower turbo engine that powers the rear wheels. The engine is complimented by an electric motor that propels the front axle. There's a small electric motor integrated into the main engine that provides an "e-boost" of around 10 BHP in high performance scenarios.
• The internal combustion engine produces 228 BHP @ 5,800 rpm and 320 Nm of torque @ 3,700 rpm. The electric motor produces 129 BHP and 250 Nm of torque. Combined output = 357 BHP/570 Nm. Claimed 0-100 km/h time = 4.4 seconds.
• The electric motor is mated with a 2-speed automatic transmission, while the main engine is mated with a 6-speed automatic.
• On battery power alone it manages a range of 35 kms and can hit a top speed of 120 km/h. With both motors working, the i8 can hit a top speed of 250 km/h. The combined range stands at 600 kms, combined fuel economy is around 45 km/l.
• The passenger cell is made with carbon-fiber reinforced plastic.
• The car will be brought to India as a direct import and all servicing work, including repairs to carbon fiber components can be carried out in India.
• The i8 will be sold through BMW i dealerships in Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai.
• The BMW i Wallbox charging system can charge the battery from 0-100% in 2.5 hrs.
• Colour options include crystal white pearl effect with highlight BMW i blue, protonic blue with highlight frozen grey metallic, sophisto grey brilliant effect with highlight BMW i blue and the ionic silver with highlight BMW i blue.

The BMW i8

The i8 arrives amid great fanfare:


Sachin Tendulkar poses with the hybrid super-car:


Seen here in the sophisto grey colour with the signature BMW i blue highlight:


Headlamps impart a menacing appearance:


Scissor doors open!:


Arguably among the few cars that aren't a far-cry from the original concept:


Plastic wing mirrors. Weight reduction is of the essence for hybrids/EVs:


Day time running LED's + LED headlamps:


Notice how the signature kidney grille skips the slats for the blue highlight - exclusive to the 'i' models:


The bonnet is made of aluminium:




Side profile showcases the contours for improved aerodynamics. Door panels are also made of aluminium:


The plug-in charge point:


BMW i Wallbox can be purchased for fast charging. 0-100% in 2.5 hrs


The plastic fin doubles up as a spoiler. This is done to avoid harming the aesthetics/adding weight by adding a separate fin at the back:


20 inch light alloy wheels that can be bought in 3 designs. According to a BMW official at the venue, a customer overseas switched these for an after market set and saw a significant drop in fuel efficiency:


While the front is familiarly BMW, the rear is far from it:


LED tail-lights:


BMW logo with the blue backdrop + the i8 badge:


Notice how the reflectors/reverse lamps make the rear look like a Porsche 911:

[nishchal316]

BMW i8 hybrid electric super car has been launched in India today at whopping Rs 2.29 crore. Can't wait to have a glimpse of the car in the showroom

[Tushar]

Inside the i8

Futuristic yet familiar interior:


3 spoke steering wheel:


Note the blue ambient lighting. This can be changed as per your mood to two other colours:


Entirely digital driver multi-information display:


The MID shows a variety of information including the fuel/charge levels. Note the 552 km indicated range:


Paddle shifters behind the steering wheel:


Tablet type multi-media display:


Single AC vent in the middle:


Standard issue BMW gear-selector:


Push button start along with buttons for managing the drive modes:


iDrive control rotor:


Single cup-holder in the middle:


Arm-rest opens up for storage space:


Another closable lid that can hold a few small items:




i8 insignia on the door sills:


Dual AC vents for the front passenger:


Harman Kardon speakers:


Carbon-fiber weave inside the door panel:


Added cushions to make this a 2+2 seater. Space is about enough for a small child:


The I.C.E unit is placed underneath. Note the vents to the sides that dissipate heat:


Storage space is typical of a super-car. Enough for a small soft bag:


The standard charger that can be used at a regular plug-point. Charge time with this from 0-100% is around 4.5 hours:

[samyakmodi]

isn't it a bit overly priced considering that the actual value is close to Rs. 56 lacs. now even if we do add import duties @ 180%, and the freight and blah blah another 20%, shouldn't the price be in the Rs. 1.68 territory??

couldn't quiet understand what makes it dearer by another 61 lacs

[baludharmarajan]

Originally Posted by samyakmodi

isn't it a bit overly priced considering that the actual value is close to Rs. 56 lacs. now even if we do add import duties @ 180%, and the freight and blah blah another 20%, shouldn't the price be in the Rs. 1.68 territory??

couldn't quiet understand what makes it dearer by another 61 lacs

The added cost of importing a car can be called as CIF( Customs duty, freight & insurance).

In India import duty for a non registered CBU car is 119.65%. The manufacturer have pay for freight cost and insurance cost as well from their pockets. The freight and insurance cost would be approximately USD 2400.

Adding all these costs the total amount would account to 1.3 cr. BMW might be getting 70 lakhs profit excluding all costs (VAT, showroom, training etc) which is understandable since this is a niche car and there are Indians crazy about cars and this kind of money is peanuts for them.

[samyakmodi]

Originally Posted by baludharmarajan

The added cost of importing a car can be called as CIF( Customs duty, freight & insurance).



In India import duty for a non registered CBU car is 119.65%. The manufacturer have pay for freight cost and insurance cost as well from their pockets. The freight and insurance cost would be approximately USD 2400.



Adding all these costs the total amount would account to 1.3 cr. BMW might be getting 70 lakhs profit excluding all costs (VAT, showroom, training etc) which is understandable since this is a niche car and there are Indians crazy about cars and this kind of money is peanuts for them.

I've my serious doubts abt they having more than 50% as their profit margin. The amount might be peanuts but to come to think of it one can buy a cla45 just in the over inflated price and still give BMW a decent margin (difference is of 1crore according to your calculation)

They might be selling it at a premium because they might want to project it as a super premium vehicle by making it the most expensive BMW in the market and also come in the price range of the uber luxurious sports cars manufacturers. Not the right approach I feel. But it has known to work in the past with different products.