The BMW i8 was discontinued in 2020, just six years after it hit the market in 2014. Here's what probably happened. The BMW i8 was not just a sports car-it was a vision brought to life.
With its futuristic aesthetics, plug-in hybrid drivetrain, and lightweight carbon fiber structure, the i8 represented the future of performance vehicles when it launched in 2014. Yet despite its technological brilliance and the halo status it brought to BMW, the i8 was officially discontinued in 2020. Why would BMW pull.
BMW announced today that it will end production of the flagship i8 sports car next month. Available as both a coupe and roadster, BMW has built 20,000 over six years. Both design and styling expressed the pinnacle of BMW's abilities and engineering prowess.
When it debuted as a concept in 2011 nobody expected it to begin production pretty much identical to the concept's design. As a plug. When a car is discontinued the reason behind the production stoppage has to do with slow sales which led to the demise of the BMW i8.
The BMW i8 was one of the models that got everything started. In 2013, the i8 plug-in hybrid electric sports car made its debut at the German International Motor Show alongside the i3, serving as a design and engineering exercise that paved the way for future electric products to bear the BMW logo. The BMW i8 was officially discontinued in 2020 after six years of production, marking the end of an innovative chapter in hybrid sports cars.
This move was part of BMW's strategic shift toward a fully electric future, focusing on models that promise greater range, improved technology, and broader appeal. BMW confirmed in March plans to end production of the i8 hybrid sports car the following month. Well, April arrived and so did the coronavirus outbreak which halted production entirely at.
The i8, introduced in 2014, was BMW's hybrid flagship. Its 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-three cylinder produced 231 hp; the electric motor made 129 hp. In 2018, it got a horsepower boost to 370 hp.
Hybrid and EV technology has come a long way in 6 years. That's why we're sad to announce that the BMW i8 coupe & convertible have been discontinued. It was their first plug-in hybrid and their first carbon fiber monocoque chassis.
As it was their first attempt, the 11.6 kWh battery powered the front wheels while a 1.5L three. The BMW i8 has long been celebrated as a symbol of innovation and futuristic design in the world of luxury sports cars. As a plug-in hybrid, it combined.