| BMW Qualcomm i8 | |
|---|---|
| |
| Car Details | |
| Manufacturer |  BMW
|
| Model | i8/i8 Roadster |
| Designer | Mario Majdandzič Benoit Jacob Richard Kim
|
| Motor | B38A15T0 1.5L turbocharged Inline-3 gasoline (hybrid) |
| Battery | 7.1 kWh lithium-ion battery |
| Length | 4,700mm (190in) |
| Width | 1,940mm (76in) |
| Height | 1,300mm (51in) |
| Weight | 1,485kg (3,274lb) |
| Top Speed | 155mph |
| Debut | 2014/15 |
| Final Season | 2020/21 |
The BMW Qualcomm i8 is a hybrid sports car that previously served as the Safety Car for the FIA Formula E Championship. It was first used in the 2014/15 season, and made its first appearance on-track at the 2014 Putrajaya ePrix following a collision between Katherine Legge and Michela Cerruti.
The i8 Safety Car, along with the i3 Medical Car, were unique among the 2014/15 field in that it is the only hybrid cars used in the otherwise all electric series - its 7.1kWh battery is supported by a 1.5L turbocharged engine, combining to produce up to 362 bhp.
While the technology was not yet available to do so, the FIA had stated that they intended to develop wireless charging capability for the Safety and Medical Cars by 2017, thus increasing the range of the vehicle on electric power alone, this was never achieved due to increased efficiency and range of later safety cars.
For the 2014/15 season, there were two i8 Safety Cars at each race meeting. The primary car was driven by the experienced Touring Car driver, Bruno Correia, with the secondary car on standby in case the first needed to be relieved for any reason. In the 2019/20 season the i8 safety car was changed to a roadster version.
For the 2020/21 Season the i8 started to share the role with the MINI Electric Pacesetter from the Rome ePrix onwards, until the 2021/22 season where both cars got replaced with the Porsche Taycan Turbo S.
Usage in Formula E Championship[]
| Season | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2014/15 | Safety Car | |
| 2015/16 | Safety Car | |
| 2016/17 | Safety Car | |
| 2017/18 | Safety Car | |
| 2018/19 | Safety Car | |
| 2019/20 | Safety Car | The car changed from a coupe to a roadster version, becoming the worlds first ever roadster safety car. |
| 2020/21 | Safety Car | The MINI Electric Pacesetter was introduced this year to share the role of safety car with the BMW i8 Roadster. This was the final year that the i8 would be the Formula E safety car, which for this year it shared with the MINI Electric Pacesetter. |
Gallery
