Simply Abu Dhabi Magazine XVI

Incredibly, the heart of this undoubtedly high-performance machine is primarily a reworked version of the seemingly undersized 1.5 litre turbocharged petrol triple to be found in the latest Mini Cooper. In the i8, though, this punchy unit has been treated to special internals and new induction technology that somehow summons up 228bhp and 236lb ft from such a minimal swept volume. This small but perfectly formed engine now drives not just the rear wheels, through a six-speed automatic transmission, but also a high-output starter-generator electric motor, which constantly transfers power back into the 7.1kWh lithium ion battery discreetly tucked away under the cabin floor. Regardless of the engineering prowess involved, this motor couldn’t provide the blistering pace the i8 offers just working alone. And that’s where another piece of truly inspired piece of powertrain technology comes in. It’s a two-speed automatic transmission dedicated to that front-mounted electric motor which adds another string to BMWs powerful bow. This GKNDriveline gearbox works in perfect harmony with the primary engine and ‘box, shifting ratios seamlessly and allowing the electric motor to unleash the power of its 184lb ft at speeds that would be simply impossible without it. 2 2 4 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I