BMW sees Red with new i8 variant

BMW has produced a limited-edition colour scheme for its halo i8 hybrid sportscar, with the usually blue-hued i8 being produced in Protonic Red for a limited run of only five examples for the Australian market.

The outlandishly-styled i8 comes with Protonic Red paint contrasted with Frozen Grey metallic accents, while a slightly different Orbit Grey metallic colour is used for the 20-inch W-spoke alloy wheels.

On the inside, the Protonic Red edition gets ‘spheric’ leather trim with red stitching highlights through the cabin.

The stitching is contrasted by anthracite headliner, grey seatbelts, carbon-fibre interior trim and black ceramic finish to the gear selector switch cover and central console. Underfoot are velour and leather floor mats with red stitching, and door sills come with a Protonic Red finish.

Pricing for the Protonic Red edition is unchanged from the regular i8, coming in at $299,000 before on-road costs.

BMW Australia managing director Marc Werner said that the Protonic Red finish gives the i8 an extra level of exclusivity.

“Since its debut, the BMW i8 has stood out from the sports car crowd,” he said.

“The limited-edition Protonic Red Edition is even more exclusive, reinforcing the i8’s unique combination of performance, efficiency and style.”Under the bonnet the limited edition is unchanged from the regular i8, with its 170kW/320Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine teamed to a 96kW/250Nm electric motor on the front axle for a combined output of 266kW/570Nm.

Since going on sale at the start of 2015, the i8 has sold 82 units, including 21 this year to the end of July.