Munich/Stuttgart. For the fifth year in a row, the International Engine + Powertrain of the Year Award goes to the powertrain of the BMW i8 (BMW i8 Roadster: fuel consumption combined 2.0 l/100 km (141.2 mpg imp); electric power consumption combined 14.5 kWh/100 km;2 emissions combined 46 g/km; BMW i8 Coupe: fuel consumption combined 1.8 l/100 km (156.9 mpg imp); combined electricity consumption 14.0 kWh/100 km; Co2 combined emissions 42 g/km*). This year there was competition in a brand new category: Best Hybrid Powertrain. The distance in the score was a big surprise: the BMW i8 powertrain took the lead, scoring 233 points to the runner-up’s 138 points.
The BMW i8 is an innovator and a source of technology for the entire BMW plug-in hybrid family. This line is set to expand to a total of ten models by the end of 2019, allowing BMW to offer customers more choice than any of its rivals. Together with the BMW i3, the BMW i8 laid the foundation for the BMW Group to become the market leader in electric vehicles. It has topped the registration statistics for new electric vehicles in Europe and Germany – not just in the premium segment but for the market as a whole (source: IHS Markit report from 14.5.2019; new BEV and PHEV registrations combined) – since 2017.
The BMW i8 powertrain was launched in 2014 and has received the coveted award in its class every year since. In that first year, it was also crowned best new engine and won the overall award for good measurement. Collecting awards again in 2019 – for the fifth year in a row – the plug-in powertrain has given further evidence of how far ahead of its time it still is. Billed as the sports car of the future, the BMW i8 has consistently ranked as the best-selling PHEV sports car since its launch in 2014. The BMW i3 and i8 stand at opposite ends of the model spectrum as expressions of what is reasonable. can be reached today. Between them stands the wide range of BMW flagship models which have since benefited from the transfer of technology, allowing the BMW Group to offer a wider range of electrified models than any other premium car manufacturer.
The latest version of the BMW i8 combines sports car performance with fuel economy worthy of compactness. The three-cylinder combustion engine delivers 170 kW/231 hp to the rear wheels. The electric motor, which has now been increased to 105 kW/143 hp, draws its energy from a lithium-ion battery – which can be charged from a standard electrical outlet – and sends its power to the front axle. This model-specific coupling system, developed and manufactured by the BMW Group, enables an electric range of up to 55 kilometers (34 miles) in the EU test cycle. The combined effect of the electric motor driving the front wheels and the internal combustion engine on the rear axle creates an all-wheel drive system that keeps the car glued to the road and comes in handy when accelerating fast or cornering, in particular. .
The most powerful of the drive duo drives the rear wheels and uses the electric boost of the hybrid system to deliver characteristic BMW driving pleasure combined with pioneering efficiency. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes just 4.4 seconds, yet combined fuel consumption – as calculated in the EU plug-in hybrid test cycle – is 2.0 liters per 100 kilometers (141.2 mpg imp) , plus 14.5 kWh of electricity. This is equivalent to CO2
emissions of 46 grams per kilometer. The BMW i8 Coupe, meanwhile, posts figures of 1.8 liters per 100 kilometers (156.9 mpg imp), as well as 14.0 kWh of electricity, resulting in CO2 talk about 42 grams per kilometer.
This year was the 21st edition of the International Engine of the Year Awards. Since the start of the event, power units developed for models from BMW Group brands have received a total of 70 wins in their categories and overall. The task of choosing the best machines in many different categories is in the hands of a jury of experts, which this year was made up of 70 motoring journalists from 31 countries. The prize winners chosen by the jury were announced on Wednesday 22 May 2019 at the Engine Expo in Stuttgart.
* The fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, electricity consumption and field of use figures were determined according to European Regulation (EC) 715/2007 in the relevant version. The numbers refer to the vehicle in basic configuration in Germany and the range shown includes different sizes of selected wheels/tyres and selected accessories.
The values are based on the new WLTP test cycle and are translated back to NEDC-equivalent values to ensure comparability between vehicles. (Regarding these vehicles, due to vehicle-related taxes or other charges based (at least) on CO2 emissions, CO2 values may differ from the values specified here (depending on national laws).)
Co2 efficiency definitions are determined in accordance with Directive 1999/94/EC and the latest version of Pkw-EnVKV and based (for classification) on fuel consumption and CO2
value according to the NEDC cycle.
More information on official figures on fuel consumption and specific CO2 The emission value of new passenger cars is included in the following guidelines: ‘Leitfaden über den Kraftstoffverbrauch, die CO2-Emission und den Stromverbrauch neuer Personenkraftwagen’ (Guidelines for fuel economy, CO2
emissions and electricity consumption of new passenger cars), which can be obtained free of charge from all dealerships and at https://www.dat.de/en/offers/publications/guideline-for-fuel-consumption.html.