Benjamin M. Monroe Blog: BMW i8 From South Africa gets “pimped out”

Saturday, August 18, 2018

BMW i8 From South Africa gets “pimped out”

BMW i8 With ADV.1 Wheels and a Vorsteiner body kit

With the recent introduction of the open top BMW i8 Roadster variant, the futuristic hybrid from the Bavarian car maker is once again taking the top news spots around the world. The much-awaited open-top version of the i8 provides a new experience for the eco-friendly motorists. Both the Coupe and the Roadster feature a breathtaking futuristic design and impressive driving dynamics. Even after almost 6 years, the design of the BMW i8 still looks as fresh as it ever did. However, for some owners, a slight refreshing touch is needed in order to make their machine look even better.

This particular Sophisto Grey Metallic with BMW i Frozen Blue accent BMW i8 comes from South Africa. Tuned by Race!, the plug-in hybrid features a set of aftermarket wheels and a carbon fiber aero kit. The wheels come courtesy of ADV.1 Wheels, while the carbon fiber aero kit comes from Vorsteiner.

When first envisioned, the BMW i8 was a step forward in the evolution of the sports car. The BMW i8 comes with a powerful powertrain and impressive fuel economy. Developed especially for this model, the powertrain is a combination of a 1.5 liter three-cylinder petrol engine and electric motors, powering all four wheels. The combustion engine develops 170 kW/231 hp and drives the rear wheels of the BMW i8.

Furthermore, there is a 96 kW/131 hp electric drive as well, sending its power to the front wheels allowing for an all-electric range of up to 35 kilometers (22 miles) and a top speed of 120 km/h (75 mph). Thanks to this powertrain combination, the BMW i8 will accelerate from 0-62mph (0-100km/h) in just 4.2 seconds. The hybrid is capable of going all the way up to an electronically limited top speed of 155mph (250km/h). It’s no wonder that the i8 is slowly gaining popularity in the aftermarket tuning world as well.

For this BMW i8, the South African tuner installed a set of ADV15R Track Speck SL Series forged wheels. The wheels are sized 22×9 and 22×10.5 in the front and rear, respectively. They feature a unique finish combination, matching the vehicle’s exterior finish combination perfectly. The wheels feature Matte Gunmetal centers and a Polished Matte Blue finish. Furthermore, the customer chose a Hidden Hardware option, perfecting the looks of these directional wheels.

The final touch to this build is a complete Vorsteiner VR-E carbon fiber aero kit. Featuring a carbon fiber front splitter, rear diffuser, and a boot lid spoiler, the aero kit matches the unique design lines of the i8 perfectly. With precision built parts like these, the installation is rather simple. Add the 3M black hood, roof and rear window tint, and the i8 looks ready to tackle any tuning show event out there.