It sounds like a repeat of last year’s Auto Show news, really only two digits’ difference, because the winner of the 2015 World Green Car Award is the BMW i8.
Last year, at the 2014 New York International Auto Show, the BMW i3 took the award, so there’s your two digits. This year, it may come as a surprise that a luxury sports car, the BMW i8, took the 2015 World Green Car Award at the 2015 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS 2015) award, but it all has to do with its exceptionally special powertrain. True, the BMW i8 is powerful, 362 hp generated by its twin-turbocharged 1.5 ℓ engine and electric motor-generators, and is capable of exceptional acceleration, just 4.4 seconds to reach 62 mph, but it is also exceptionally efficient.
Thanks to the extensive use of lightweight materials, both performance- and efficiency-enhancing, special attention to aerodynamic efficiency, and a high-performance high-efficiency plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain, the BMW i8 also manages up to 111 mpg (2.1 ℓ/100km) combined fuel economy, after up to 23 miles pure electric driving. BMW estimates carbon dioxide emissions at just 49 g/km.
Aside from winning the 2015 World Green Car Award, the BMW i8 was also one of the finalists in the 2015 World Luxury Car Awards. “I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of the team in Munich”, says Dr. Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing BMW, speaking at the Award Ceremony at NYIAS 2015. “The BMW i8 represents the future with its unique lightweight construction and unrivalled connectivity. To win this award for the second year in a row shows that our BMW i products are truly leading the world.”
