The engine for the new BMW i8 will be manufactured in the German auto-giant’s Hams Hall factory near Birmingham, it has been confirmed. The 3 cylinder engine will help to extend the plug-in hybrid car’s range, primarily provided by its electric motor – so owners won’t need to get vehicle recovery if their electric runs out.
Plans to build the engine are part of a £500m investment in the UK announced by BMW last year. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), it is part of a £5.6bn worth of automotive investment in the UK that has been announced over the past two years by various auto groups.
2013 has been pencilled in as the public launch date of BMW’s new plug-in sports car, which, according to the firm, offers "sportscar performance with small car fuel consumption". Developed to accelerate from 0-60 in five seconds, it also has the ability to deliver an impressive 78 miles to the gallon, or 3 litres per 100km. If the owner opts to use the battery only, the car’s range is around 20 miles.
Described by business secretary Vince Cable as "more good news for the UK automotive sector", it demonstrates that high end manufacturing can and does take place in the UK, at a time when traditional UK strongholds of the service sector are taking a battering – most notably banking.
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