BMW is preparing to make use of the upcoming 2016 Geneva Auto Show to start marketing the new i8 Red Edition on March 1.
The Protonic Red will be the first of several of other future special editions for BMW's hybrid sports car and is set to enter production beginning July this year. Just like the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance edition, the i8 includes a custom interior with stitching and colors not available on the standard model along with a bespoke exterior. According to Top Speed, the car wears an exclusive paint job.
As the name of the i8 suggests, the special hue that the vehicle features is known as Proton ic Red. The silver-like hue can be noticed on the side skirts, the kidney grille and around the rear fascia. Further, an Orbit Grey metallic paint on the W-Spoke 20-inch wheels offsets the car's red and grey color.
In the interior, the "Protonic Red Edition" lettering and the "i8" embossing on the front head are evident. Red stitching and double lap seams are featured on the side bolsters and the door panels, supplementing the touch of color to the black and grey interior.
However, under the hood, the special Edition i8 is the same standard model highlighting the same synchronous motor and a 1.5-liter, three-cylinder, gasoline engine as the usual sports car. The turbocharged engine cranks out 228 horsepower accompanied by a 236 pound-feet torque while the electric motor produces 129 horses and 184 pound-feet of torque. The total output rests at 357 horsepower with 420 pound-feet torque.
According to Auto123, both the engine and the motor enable the i8 to splint from 0-60 mph in 4.3 seconds. The vehicle can travel to just over 370 miles on both electric power and gasoline.
BMW i8 was introduced in 2013 during the Frankfurt Motor Show and entered production in 2014. Deliveries to the United States began in August 2014 and since then, the i8 has been the second most mass-produced hybrid car after the i3 which arrived in late 2013. Up to now, global deliveries have totaled to over 7000 units in both 2014 and 2015.
Here is a clip of an exclusive review;