BMW Group Plant Leipzig starts series production of BMW i8 Roadster.

Leipzig. The BMW Group Plant Leipzig starts the series production of the BMW i8 Roadster.  It is joined by the updated version of the BMW i8 Coupe in the line-up. Both vehicles are flexibly produced per customer demand in BMW Group Plant Leipzig within the same production line. The BMW i8 Roadster oozes all the freedom of open-top motoring for two with an electrically operated soft-top; while the new BMW i8 Coupe stands out as an extremely sporty 2+2 seater. The familiar lightweight design measures used for previous BMW i models have been meticulously adapted to the specific requirements of the i8 Roadster. It comes with newly designed frameless gullwing doors made from CFRP with an aluminium outer shell.

Underpinning this new level of electric driving experience is an updated version of the lithium-ion battery developed for the BMW i8. The high-voltage unit is located centrally in the car’s underbody. Its cell capacity is up from 20 to 34 Ah and gross energy capacity rises from 7.1 to 11.6 kWh (net: 9.4 kWh). The electric range of the new BMW i8 Coupe in the NEDC test cycle has increased to 55 kilometres (34 miles)* and the new BMW i8 Roadster posts a figure of 53 kilometres (33 miles)*.

Plant Director Hans-Peter Kemser is pleased to welcome the latest addition to the BMW i family at BMW Group Plant Leipzig: “We are proud to produce another top-notch product at our plant. An important factor for that is the know-how and long-time experience of our employees in Leipzig with the production of electric vehicles. “
 

Since its launch in 2014 the BMW i8 is the world’s highest-selling plug-in hybrid sports car. Since 2013 the BMW i3 and since 2017 the sports version BMW i3s are built in the BMW i production in Leipzig. In total, 130 BMW i models are produced at the plant per day. The market launch of the BMW i8 Coupe and the BMW i8 Roadster starts in May 2018.

*The fuel consumption, CO2 emissions, power consumption and operating range figures were determined according to the European Regulation (EC) 715/2007 in the version applicable. The figures refer to a vehicle with basic configuration in Germany and the range shown considers the different sizes of the selected wheels/tyres and the selected items of optional equipment.

The values are already based on the new WLTP test cycle and are translated back into NEDC-equivalent values in order to ensure comparability between the vehicles. [With respect to these vehicles, for vehicle-related taxes or other duties based (at least inter alia) on CO2 emissions, the CO2 values may differ from the values stated here (depending on national legislation).]

The CO2 efficiency specifications are determined according to Directive 1999/94/EC and the latest version of the Pkw-EnVKV, and based (for classification) on the fuel consumption and CO2 values as per the NEDC cycle.

Further information on official fuel consumption figures and specific CO2 emission values of new passenger cars is included in the following guideline: 'Leitfaden über den Kraftstoffverbrauch, die CO2-Emissionen und den Stromverbrauch neuer Personenkraftwagen' (Guideline for fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and electric power 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.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Michael Blabst, Head of Communication BMW Group Plants Leipzig, Berlin, Eisenach

Telephone: +49 341 445-38000

Email: Michael.Blabst@bmw.de

Internet: www.bmw-werk-leipzig.de

Internet: www.press.bmwgroup.com

Paloma Brunckhorst, Spokesperson BMW i, BMW iPerformance

Telephone:    +49-89-382-22322

Email:      Paloma.Brunckhorst@bmwgroup.com        

BMW Group Plant Leipzig

BMW Group Plant Leipzig is one of the most modern and sustainable car plants in the world. Series production began in March 2005. Today, more than 860 vehicles roll off the assembly line every day from classic production: Currently, these are the BMW 1 Series five-door version, the BMW 2 Series Coupé and Convertible, the BMW 2 Series M Coupé and the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer. In addition, the plant also builds more than 130 BMW i models (BMW i3, i3s, i8 Coupe, i8 Roadster) per day – ground-breaking vehicles with alternative drive trains and innovative lightweight bodies.

Total investment in Leipzig to date exceeds two billion euros. The plant currently employs a permanent staff of more than 5,300 associates.  

The BMW Group
 

With its four brands BMW, MINI, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad, the BMW Group is the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles and also provides premium financial and mobility services. As a global company, the BMW Group operates 31 production and assembly facilities in 14 countries and has a global sales network in more than 140 countries.

In 2017, the BMW Group sold approximately 2,463,500 cars and 164,000 motorcycles worldwide. The profit before tax was approximately € 9.67 billion on revenues amounting to € 94.16 billion. As of 31 December 2016, the BMW Group had a workforce of 124,729 employees.

The success of the BMW Group has always been based on long-term thinking and responsible action. The company has therefore established ecological and social sustainability throughout the value chain, comprehensive product responsibility and a clear commitment to conserving resources as an integral part of its strategy.

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