Production of the i8 is scheduled to end in April of this year with the final 200 examples to be Ultimate Sophisto Editions built at the brand’s Leipzig plant.
The pioneering plug-in hybrid model used a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor to produce 275kW of power and 570Nm of torque. With the 11.6kWh battery pack fully charged the updated variant had an electric driving range of up to 55 kilometres.
BMW says since its release, over 20,000 i8s have been sold, making it the world’s highest-selling sports car with an electrified powertrain. Locally, 155 examples have been sold.
Along with the PHEV tech, the i8 used a new platform with extensive use of carbon-fibre throughout the body structure.
Incidentally, the i8 was BMW’s first production model to be equipped with the brand’s laser headlights.
BMW’s range now includes plug-in hybrid variants of the 3 Series sedan, X3 and X5. The Bavarian marque is expanding its range to 25 electrified models by 2023 which will include the i4 and iX3.
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