i8
BMW i8: official NHTSA recalls, fault code help and maintenance guides.
Licensed photo · Photo creditGenerations and technical specifications
BMW i8 (I12/I15)2014–2020
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Production | April 2014 – June 2020 (20,465 units) |
| Model years | 2014–2020 |
| Body styles | 2-door coupé 2-door roadster |
| Layout | Transverse mid-engine, all-wheel-drive |
| Engines | B38K15T0 1.5L turbocharged I3 engine gasoline |
| Electric motor | 131 hp |
| Transmissions | Aisin F21-360 FT EOP Transverse 6-Speed Automatic Transmission |
| Drivetrain | Plug-in hybrid |
| Battery | 7.1 kWh lithium-ion battery 11.6 kWh lithium-ion battery for 2018–2020 model years |
| Electric range | 500 km in Comfort mode (NEDC) 600 km in Eco Pro mode (NEDC) 531 km (EPA) |
| Wheelbase | 2,800 mm |
| Length | 4,689 mm |
| Width | 1,942 mm |
| Height | 1,298 mm |
| Kerb weight | 1,539 kg |
| Class | Sports car (S) |
| Assembly | Germany: Saxony, Leipzig (BMW Group Plant Leipzig) |
| Designer | Vision EfficientDynamics Benoit Jacob (production i8) Richard Kim (2011 i8 Concept) |
Engines and transmissions
| Model years | Engine | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–2017, 2019–2020 | 1.5 L, 3 cyl plug-in hybrid | 6-speed automatic | All-wheel drive | Petrol (premium) and electricity |
Fuel economy (EPA)
| Model years | Configuration | Combined | City | Highway | Electric range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–2017, 2019–2020 | 1.5 L, 3 cyl plug-in hybrid · 6-speed automatic · All-wheel drive | 8.4–8.7 L/100 km | 8.4–9.0 L/100 km | 8.1 L/100 km | 24–29 km |
Values are the official EPA label figures for each model year, shown as the lowest and highest value for the configuration. Electric models show energy use per 100 km. Real-world consumption depends on driving style, weather and load. Luggage and passenger volumes follow the EPA measuring method and can differ from the VDA figures used in Europe.
EU type-approval data
| Years | Powertrain | Engine | Power | Mass | CO₂ | Electric range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–2021 | Petrol plug-in hybrid | 1499 cm³ | 170 kW (231 PS) | 1610–1670 kg | 49–52 g/km (WLTP) | 51–52 km · 139–141 Wh/km |
| 2014–2018 | Petrol-electric | 1499 cm³ | 170 kW (231 PS) | 1560–1670 kg | 49–52 g/km (WLTP) | 119 Wh/km |
Years are registration years. Each range runs from the 10th to the 90th percentile of the values reported for new registrations; it is not an average. Mass is the mass in running order. For electric cars the power is the type-approval net power, which can be lower than the peak power in brochures.
Key specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| EPA size class | Subcompact car, Two-seater |
| Model years in EPA data | 2014–2017, 2019–2020 |
| Powertrains | Plug-in hybrid |
| Engine displacement | 1.5 L |
| Cylinders | 3 |
| Transmission types | Automatic |
| Drive | All-wheel drive |
| Fuel | Petrol (premium) and electricity |
| Configurations listed | 8 |
| Forced induction | Turbocharged |
| Start-stop system | Yes |
| Electric motor (EPA) | 105kW DCPM; 96kW AC Induction; 96kW |
| Luggage volume (EPA) | 142 L |
| Passenger volume (EPA) | 2,294 L |
| Powertrains (EU) | Petrol plug-in hybrid, Petrol-electric |
| Engine displacement (EU) | 1,499 cm³ |
| Power (EU) | 170 kW (231 PS) |
| Mass in running order (EU) | 1,560–1,670 kg |
| Wheelbase (EU) | 2,800 mm |
Years and markets
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model years (US) | 2014–2017, 2019–2020 |
| New registrations (EU) | 2014–2021, 2025 |
Owner complaints (NHTSA)
| Component | Complaints | Most reported model years |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 5 | 2015, 2016, 2020 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 2015, 2016 |
| Suspension | 1 | 2014 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 2015 |
| Airbags | 1 | 2015 |
| Stability and traction control | 1 | 2015 |
| Tyres | 1 | 2016 |
Source: complaints filed by owners with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for model years 2014–2016, 2020: 10 complaints, 0 with a crash and 0 with a fire. Complaints are owner reports that NHTSA has not verified, and one complaint can name more than one component. More complaints can also mean more cars sold.