Performance Review: BMW i8 1.5 Turbo Hybrid I12 - [2016]

Figures & Specs Summary:

BMW i8 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the BMW i8 1.5 Turbo Hybrid I12 is the 6 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2016. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 6.2 V8 and the 2016 Bugatti Chiron 8.0 W16 Quad 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 2013 BMW i8 1.5 Turbo Hybrid. 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 1567 kgs (3454 lbs) this makes the BMW i8 1.5 Turbo Hybrid I12 in the same weight category as the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Stradale 4.0 V8 Hybrid 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) @ 5800 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 1989 Mercedes SL Class 500SL R129 (170.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the BMW i8.

The BMW i8 has a Power to weight ratio of 145.5 bhp per ton and 150.6 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2016 i8 competing with the 1989 Mercedes SL Class 500SL R129 (170.4 bhp per ton) or the 2003 Volvo S80 T6 3.0 Turbo (170.3 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 150.6 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 1985 Ford RS200 1.8T 16V (175.4 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Ford Taurus SHO 3.5 V6 Performance Pack (175.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.3 secs, this made the BMW i8 1.5 Turbo Hybrid I12 as fast as the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.20 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo G42 (4.20 secs) the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 5.2 V8 (4.20 secs) the or the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (4.20 secs). This BMW i8 1.5 Turbo Hybrid I12 is also faster than the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (4.30 secs) the 2023 Lotus Emira First Edition i4 2.0 Turbo (4.30 secs) the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (4.30 secs) the and the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo 992 (4.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the i8 and the 2008 Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works

When talking about the performance of the BMW i8 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.71 secs @ 87.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2008 Mini Cooper S John Cooper Works (15.64 secs), the 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk 5.8L V8 352 (15.64 secs), and the 2012 Rolls-Royce Phantom Series 2 (15.64 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2016 version of the BMW i8 1.5 Turbo Hybrid I12 has a maximum speed of 155mph.

Top Speed of the 2016 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 2016 BMW i8 1.5 Turbo Hybrid I12 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:

2016 i8 Rivals List.

A Brief History of BMW

Car Comparison