Performance Review: BMW i8 1.5 Turbo Hybrid - [2013]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW i8 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW i8 1.5 Turbo Hybrid is the 6 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2013. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2014 Tesla Model S P100D Ludicrous Performance and the 2014 Koenigsegg One 1 5.1 V8 Twin Turbo.This particular BMW i8 has a 1499cc Turbo Petrol Electric Hybrid powerplant with 3 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol Electric Hybrid St3's includes the 2020 Koenigsegg Gemera 2.0 Turbo Petrol Hybrid

The i8 shares its Petrol Electric Hybrid St3 engine configuration with the likes of the 2020 Koenigsegg Gemera 2.0 Turbo Petrol Hybrid and the 2016 BMW i8 1.5 Turbo Hybrid I12. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the i8's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1490 kgs (3284 lbs) this makes the BMW i8 1.5 Turbo Hybrid in the same weight category as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The BMW i8 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1499cc 12V St3 engine produces 228 bhp (170 kW) @ 3000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Turbo St3 throws out 236 lb-ft (319.9 Nm) @ 3700 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (236 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the BMW i8 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2005 Dodge Magnum 5.7 V8 RT (178.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW i8.

The BMW i8 has a Power to weight ratio of 153.0 bhp per ton and 158.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2013 i8 competing with the 2005 Dodge Magnum 5.7 V8 RT (178.0 bhp per ton) or the 2003 Chrysler 300 c 5.7 Hemi (178.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the BMW i8 generating around 158.3 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2006 BMW 3 Series 335i M-Sport 2d E90 (183.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 2009 Peugeot RCZ 2.0 HDi 200 GT (183.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.4 secs, this made the BMW i8 1.5 Turbo Hybrid as fast as the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (4.30 secs) the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the 2022 BMW Z4 M40i 3.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the or the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (4.30 secs). This BMW i8 1.5 Turbo Hybrid is also faster than the 2023 Porsche Cayenne S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe S 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs) the 2020 Audi A4 S4 3.0 V6 Turbo (4.40 secs) the and the 2020 Bentley Bentayga 4.0 V8 Turbo (4.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the i8 and the 2000 Mitsubishi FTO 2.0 GPX

When talking about the performance of the BMW i8 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.46 secs @ 88.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2000 Mitsubishi FTO 2.0 GPX (15.39 secs), the 1968 Alpine A110 1300 (15.40 secs), and the 2019 Land-Rover Defender 110 3.0 Turbo (15.40 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2013 version of the BMW i8 1.5 Turbo Hybrid has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2013 i8 equals the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2013 BMW i8 1.5 Turbo Hybrid then how about the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (166 mph), the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (166 mph), or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 5.0 V8 (166 mph).

Related Links:

2013 i8 Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison