“Is the BMW i8 a supercar?” This questions is as old as the i8 itself. Upon its public reveal at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2013, consumers were sure BMW just built the next legend.
However, in August 2014, American enthusiasts were left wanting more… power. While the design rivals that of some of the most exclusive supercars, when it came to functionality BMW preferred efficiency over power. So in short, the answer really depends on your definition of a supercar. According to the Vivid Racing Multilingual Dictionary, the BMW i8 is not a supercar, but no worries, we managed to fix that.
While the BMW i8 is undeniably an impressive hybrid, it does come with its own list of imperfections, and its turbocharged 1.5 liter 3-cylinder engine is not one of them surprisingly. From the factory, this car produces over 120 horsepower per cylinder and over 420 ftlbs of torque. The hybrid system ensures you get off the line efficiently and save gas when you’re not giving it the beans. However, after a few rips and some track work, it was clear we needed to pull just a little bit more out of i8.
Our tuning process for the i8 is tried and true and simple. We adjust critical parameters including air/fuel ratios, ignition timing, throttle limitations, rev limits, speed limits, and various others (including upping the boost), enabling the mighty 3 cylinder’s bite to match its bark. The resulting VRTuned flashing not only increases horsepower and torque, but it also leads to an improved driving experience, characterized by enhanced throttle response and overall smoother transient throttle performance. Of course, in typical VR fashion we opted for the Pops and Bangs for a little added spice and what we’ll call our “fourth tail light”, and the results were, to say the least, super.
The advantages and performance gains from our tune alone are quite remarkable. We were able to blow past the 400hp mark by gaining over 43 whp and increasing the already exhilarating torque value by 58 ftlbs. Now this BMW i8 has officially gained the VR stamp of approval as a legitimate Supercar.
Interested in this BMW I8 ECU Flash? Order Here
Later on, we added a little Meisterschaft titanium to the rear, a K&N drop in air filter, and closed the fender gap around our VR Forged exclusive wheels with D2 Racing Coilovers and created the Ultimate i8, but those numbers are top secret. If you’re seeking one of the most fundamental yet effective enhancements to unleash the power of your BMW i8, an ECU flash from VR Tuned is the only option. Check out the video below to see and hear this factory i8 in action.
If you have any specific questions, feel free to reach out to iori@vividracing.com.
