The BMW i8 being presented by Kandeel and Wenders at the Qatar Motor Show yesterday. PICTURES: Jayan Orma.


By Joey Aguilar /Staff Reporter

Alfardan Automobiles unveiled yesterday the BMW i8, described as the “sports car of the future”, at the Qatar Motor Show 2014 at the Qatar National Convention Centre.
BMW i8 head of products Henrik Wenders told Gulf Times that the first BMW plug in hybrid electric vehicle is expected to amaze the Qatari market with its various features such as the e-drive (electric), comfort and sports modes.
“You can drive fully electric up to 35km and for the urban traffic, you can select the e-drive mode, then you have a zero emission pure electric drive,” he said.
The i8 goes on sale in Qatar in March  but Wenders noted that they are still on the reservation phase. Since the launching of its i3 in November 15, BMW has received a huge response where people have to wait for up to six months because of the increasing demand.
With a long reservation list, he said the first production this year for Qatar was sold out already.
Powered by the latest generation BMW TwinPower Turbo petrol engine, the i8 also has the sports mode: the full resources available and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. Then it uses 2.5 litres of petrol per 100kms and emitting just 59g/km of emissions.
“If you start the car and you are in the regular d-mode, so we call it comfort mode. Then you drive up to 65km fully electric and then the combustion engine kicks in, and then you can drive up to 250km per hour,“ explained Wenders. “A true sports car behaviour and car which provides so many different characters.”
The i8 also offers a very precise driving behaviour. Its intelligent hybrid system capitalises on a potent electric motor which sends drive to the front wheels resulting in a combined power output of 362hp delivered to all four wheels.
Besides its full electric zero emission drive, the revolutionary sports car features comprehensive and sophisticated aerodynamic designs. It also uses environment-friendly materials.
The petrol engine continuously charges its plug-in hybrid battery while driving. With a lightweight of 1,490 kg, it provides a total range of more than 500 km.
“This was never as exciting as before. This is why, I do think that once people in Qatar or in the region have driven the i8, they will be amazed,“ he said.
Wenders also disclosed that US and Europe remain the largest market for BMW vehicles.
He pointed out: “I have driven the car so many times and I can promise you that this is what we are communicating and what we predicted we are able to fulfil.”
The BMW official hopes to bring as many i8s as possible to Qatar but has yet to decide on the final volume. He noted that clients need to drive the car first for them to understand what they are getting.
He described the Qatar market as a modern, precise and very futuristic. “I do think, automobile with a future oriented technology is a fitting to this kind of mindset“.
Alfardan Automobiles, the exclusive and official importer in Qatar for BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce cars and BMW motorcycles, has also unveilled the all-new 2 Series Coupé and the 4 Series Convertible.
The 2 Series Coupé offers customers a comfortable and a BMW-signature driving experience with a range of innovative driver assistance systems and ConnectedDrive infotainment features.
Setting new standards in terms of dynamics, elegance and extraordinary driving pleasure, the new 4 Series Convertible introduces a unique design language that is even more evident in this second model of the series which enhances its appearance.
Other BMW vehicles on the display at the Qatar Motor Show included the 550i, the recently launched X5 and X6. The famed M division also made an impact with the presence of the BMW M6 Gran Coupé and BMW M5 on display at the stand.
Mohamed Kandeel, general manager Alfardan Automobiles, told Gulf Times that they recorded a 12%  increase in sales in 2013 as compared with the figures in 2012.
“It has been good in the last four years we have been achieving double digit growth year on year.”
Echoing the statements of Wenders, Kandeel said the response from the Qatari market (both nationals and expatriates) for the i8 and other BMW models was overwhelming.
“We do not have enough cars to give to everyone who wants the i8 based on the actual waiting list,“ he added.