New BMW (I12) i8 Coupe Launched In Malaysia – From RM1.31 Million

BMW Malaysia today unveiled the facelifted BMW i8 Coupe, the latest iteration of the company’s ground-breaking plug-in hybrid sports car. The new BMW i8 retails for RM1,310,800, OTR without insurance.

Mr. Raymond Tan, Head of Sales of BMW Malaysia added, “In 2014, BMW redefined the concept of a supercar with the BMW i8. In its looks and appeal, the sports car arrived from the future but more than this, the BMW i8 told a bold and ambitious story of the BMW Group in shaping the future of the automotive industry with Electro Mobility.”

Visually not much has changed, a new active air shutter on the bonnet reroutes air from going over the bonnet to the sides of the car, near the wheel arches. Along the flanks, ‘516 Jet Black’ 20-inch wheels are now fitted.

The i8 is powered by an electric motor on the front axle and an internal combustion engine on the rear. The engine’s power is channelled to the rear wheels through a six-speed Steptronic transmission, while the electric motor drives the front wheels via a two-speed automatic gearbox.

The high-voltage battery, located centrally in the car’s underbody has an increased cell capacity of 33 Ah from the previous 20 Ah, while the electric motor output has increased by 9 kW to 105 kW. The electric range now extends to 55 km.

The 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine produces 231 hp and peak torque of 320 Nm, combined. The combined system output is rated at 374 hp, enabling the i8 Coupé to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds onto a top speed of 250 km/h. BMW claims a fuel consumption of 1.8-litre/100km in the combined cycle.

On the inside, the futuristic cockpit has been refreshed with the addition a new ‘Accaro E-Copper’ interior package, which is paired with open-pored CFRP Carbon trim on the centre console, door handle, and dashboard inlays. Elsewhere, the gear lever and other control buttons feature a ceramic finish, and the iDrive controller is now embossed with an ‘i8’ logo.

In terms of equipment, the i8 is fitted out with the BMW Head-up Display that changes its display to includes revs, gears, and shift lights when in the Sport drive mode, while the addition of the Navigation System Professional features an 8.8-inch freestanding display screen with up-to-date tile style graphics, as seen on the (G12) 7 Series. 

The New BMW i8 exterior comes in Crystal White with a Frozen Grey highlight, or the new BMW Individual paintwork Donington Grey, with the interior in Black Amido or Accaro respectively.

Customers of the BMW i8 will also enjoy BMW Malaysia’ 5-Year Unlimited Mileage warranty with Free Scheduled Service program, 2-year tyre warranty program, BMW Roadside Assistance and BMW White Card benefits program.