Images of the new BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car have been spied while the automaker was testing one of its prototypes in southern Europe. The development of the most anticipated sports car is progressing overseas. The spied images reveal some of the interior changes made in the new model and that include a peek inside the cabin, which seems to be toned down significantly from earlier concept vehicles. The spy images of the i8 prototype feature a traditional four-binnacle instrument cluster rather than a high-tech digital display and it is new when compared to the BMW Concept Vision EfficientDynamics from the 2009 Frankfurt motor show and the BMW i8 concept car from the 2011 edition of the show. Moreover, the centre console layout is simple and more conventional featuring less stylized options.

Moving to its exterior, the i8 will remain true to the concepts and the outer region sports a lengthy and low bonnet along with aggressive aero wings and panels, large glass door panels and piercing LED tail-lights. The BMW i8 is slated to complete production in late 2014 after the introduction of the city-sized electric i3 hatchback —BMW’s first ‘i’ car in its vehicle lineup. Once the production is complete, the showroom version of the i8 will feature the same powertrain specifications that we found in the i8 and i8 Spyder concepts. The vehicle comprises a 164kW/300Nm petrol engine along with a 96kW/250Nm electric motor, to generate a total output of 260kW and 550Nm.

According to BMW, the new i8 is expected to sprint from 0-100km/h in just 4.6 seconds while returning a combined cycle fuel consumption figure of 2.7 liters per 100km. Previous month, BMW announced its plan to sell the i3 and i8 over the internet to attract more and more customers from around the world and also to lessen the risk of spending a lot in a dealer network that would initially be selling very low numbers of vehicles.

via Caradvice