BMW i8 spyshots
 

i8 prototype cold weather testing in Northen Sweden. The i8 features an aluminium chassis and a carbon fibre-reinforced plastic passenger cell.

The 2+2 seater sports car is powered by an innovative hybrid system, that in the concept car featured a 1.5 litre three cylinder diesel engine and two electric motors, with a combined output of 328bhp.

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Looks like it has plenty of rear seat room...or the driver is a little person.

It's funny how the camo doesn't really hide anything on a car like this!

How would this eventually slot into the lineup? Or is it purely concept without production possibility? $100K + is my guess?:dunno:

It is a whole new lineup, a parallel brand (in the same way as Mini is a parallel brand, is my guess).

No prices yet, but production is slated for 2013 onwards.

http://www.xoutpost.com/bmw-sav-foru...and-bmw-i.html

The front looks like that one dudes signature pic. No?

Yes. The i8 was a concept car first, now we are seeing the first production prototypes testing. My guess is that the i8 will be priced like the Z8, stratosphere. That will help offset the obvious losses the i3 will rack up.

Why would the i3 rack up obvious losses?

Every car made with a carbon fiber tub so far is mega expensive.The Pagini Zonda, Ferrari Enzo, McLaren Mp4-12c etc. are a few examples. I just can't imagine the price of CF reinforced plastic can be low enough to sell this tiny city car for say around $20-25K and make a profit the first few years. Also, the raw carbon fiber is started in Japan, processed in Washington state and the car will be made in Germany. That is one heck of a pipeline!

Those cars are very limited production though. The i3 will be mass produced and BMW has been researching and working on mass-production carbon fiber technologies for 10+ years. It could very well be a profitable car (and likely not less than $20k)