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BMW i8 Collides with Audi A3 on German Autobahn

A BMW i8 plug-in hybrid was damaged in a crash with an Audi A3 on the Autobahn, with both cars hitting the guardrail but no injuries reported.

By Editorial Desk Updated
BMW i8 production model at MotorExpo 2014
BMW i8 production model at MotorExpo 2014 mattbuck (category) / CC BY-SA 4.0

A BMW i8 was involved in a crash on a German Autobahn after a collision with an Audi A3, according to reports from Wrecked Exotics. The incident left both vehicles damaged, but there were no injuries reported at the scene.

BMW i8 production model at MotorExpo 2014
BMW i8 plug-in hybrid damaged in Autobahn crash with Audi A3

The crash occurred when the driver of the Audi A3 attempted to overtake another vehicle and struck the BMW i8. Both cars then collided with the guardrail. The i8, one of BMW's early plug-in hybrid sports cars, sustained visible damage, though details on the extent of the repairs required have not been disclosed.

The BMW i8 features a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged engine paired with an electric motor and lithium-ion battery. This plug-in hybrid system produces a combined 362hp, enabling the car to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h in 4.4 seconds. The i8 is electronically limited to a top speed of 250km/h and is known for its low official fuel consumption of 2.1L/100km.

The Audi A3 involved in the crash is a premium hatchback that has previously received high safety ratings, including the IIHS Top Safety Pick Plus for the sedan variant. Both vehicles' safety systems appear to have performed as intended in this incident, with no injuries reported despite the high speeds typical of Autobahn travel.

Plug-in hybrid supercar faces early test

This is one of the first reported crashes involving the BMW i8 in its home market. As a showcase for BMW’s hybrid technology, the i8’s structural integrity and safety features were put to the test in real-world conditions. Both the i8 and the A3 avoided serious occupant harm, underlining the progress in safety engineering for modern vehicles.

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