Autoblog

BMW i8 breaks out of Mission: Impossible and into the real world

Chris Paukert — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 09:59:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Technology, BMW, Design/Style, Electric, Diesel, Luxury

If you went to the movies over the holiday, chances are pretty good you saw the latest box-office-topping Tom Cruise vehicle. We're not talking about the globetrotting explosion-fest it came wrapped up in, Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol; we're speaking of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car that featured heavily in the movie (along with seemingly every other model in Munich's arsenal).

But the Vision EfficientDynamics coupe isn't just a flight of fancy for the world's auto show circuit or for Cruise's Ethan Hunt character - it's set for production sooner than you think, albeit carrying the i8 moniker. Snapped undergoing testing through a fence, the extended-range plug-in supercar looks ready for the street, if only we could peel away the Van Gogh camouflage. This BMW 2+2 is widely expected to deliver a 0-62 mph time of 4.8 seconds, and we're expecting the lightweight flyer to lose the unique lower glass door panels of the 2009 show car (a design change hinted at by this prototype's swirly coverup).

Speaking of the doors, they also look to be more conventional in size and possibly operation - the concept car featured elongated butterfly doors that afforded accesses to both the front and rear seats. The prototype seen here would appear to have more conventionally sized apertures. We're guessing that mundane real-world considerations like crash-worthiness and ease of operation had something to do with the transition. Another likely concession to the realities of production auto-making appear to be a pair of rather ungainly bumper-level nacelles in the rear fascia that weren't present on the show car. We're not sure if these are merely reflectors, actual taillights or if they're simply clever camouflage, but we're hoping for the latter.

While the concept was powered by both an electric drivetrain and a small diesel generator, our spies suggest that the production car may switch over to a more conventional turbocharged four-cylinder range-extender. Whether it burns gas or oil, however, the i8 is sure to be one of the most radical cars on the road... and it's likely to carry an exotic price tag to match.

BMW i8 breaks out of Mission: Impossible and into the real world originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Dec 2011 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol trailer shows glimpses of BMW i8, 6 Series

Zach Bowman — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Videos, BMW

Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol and the BMW i8 - Click above to watch video after the jump

It's been a long time since we heard from globe-trotting international man of mystery Ethan Hunt, but it looks like he's set to take the screen again with Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol. The first trailer for the latest installment of Tom Cruise's action-packed espionage adventure has hit the interwebs, and while it features a host of hand-to-hand combat, gun fights, beautiful ladies and exotic locals, it also boasts a few unique rides from the BMW stable. If you watch closely, you just might catch a glimpse of the upcoming BMW i8, and there's even a gut-wrenching scene with a BMW 6 Series convertible.

Don't say we didn't warn you.

Judging by the quick clip, we'll be sure to catch this one when it lands in theaters. We're particularly stoked to see Simon Pegg play a part in Hunt's quest to redeem his organization's name. Click past the jump to check out the video for yourself.

Continue reading First Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol trailer shows glimpses of BMW i8, 6 Series

First Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol trailer shows glimpses of BMW i8, 6 Series originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW Vision EfficientDynamics spotted on the set of Mission: Impossible 4

Aaron Richardson — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 18:35:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Europe, BMW, India, Diesel

2011 BMW Vision EfficientDynamics - Click above for high-res image gallery

Mission: Impossible 4 was filming in Mumbai, India with a rolling example of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics/i8 concept on hand and ready for its closeup. The VED was accompanied by a 2011 BMW 6 Series during a scene in which the cars negotiate Mumbai's traffic-clogged streets.

Though there's still little indication of when the proposed 328-horsepower, three-cylinder diesel hybrid sports car will show up, this version looks mighty similar to the one caught lapping in Abu Dhabi last year. BMW's plans for the car are still generally under wraps, but it's likely the production version will break cover wearing the i8 badge. Thanks for the tip, Zohaib!

Gallery: 2011 BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept

[Source: TeamBHP Images: TeamBHP]

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics spotted on the set of Mission: Impossible 4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 Apr 2011 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz introduce the "Faux-cati" in Knight and Day *Update

Devon Brozek — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 10:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorcycle, Celebrities, Specialty

Let's just say even we don't know how to get our hands on one of these. Click above for high-res image gallery

When we first caught sight of Roy Miller on his shiny new Ducati, sporting that great hair, some solid leather heals and a denim shirt rolled up just enough to let the world now that he means business, we're not going to lie, a little bit of jealously came out of nowhere and smacked us in the face. Hey, he even has June Havens clinging tight for safety... its enough to make any man rush out and buy a new Hypermotard, right? Ducati certainly hopes so!

Much more than a brief glance at this Hyper will reveal that, unless your name is Tom Cruise, the chances of getting your hands on one like the bike from the movie may be only slightly better than Stanley McCrystal's hopes to spend fourth of July with the Obamas. What we have here folks is a genuine Faux-cati.

So just what the heck is this creation, and more importantly, why? A close look at the two-sided swing-arm, the single front brake rotor and silver forks would immediately tip us off to the bikes real identity... its an Aprilia SXV. Well fine, it was all of that stuff, and the fact that it says Aprilia on the side of the motor. Certainly, a heck of a lot of time and effort went into making this Aprilia look like a Ducati. Why though would such an elaborate transformation take place?

We can only assume that girth was the number one factor. The extra hundred-plus pounds of the real Ducati must have been too much - even for a super cool action star with great hair - to pull off. No doubt the longer travel suspension of the Aprilia made theatrical stunts much easier to perform as well. Who knows, maybe Tom just couldn't choose which one he liked more so he said "give me both." Whatever the reason, keep your eyes peeled during the movie, see if you can spot the elusive Faux-cati for yourself. Now where can we get some of those great boots?

*UPDATE: Apparently, this bike was created for an ESPN promotion of some sort. Ducati reports that all the bikes used in the actual movie were in fact full-fledged Hypermotards. Of course, that doesn't change that the bike pictured above indeed an Aprilia wearing Ducati bodywork.

Gallery: Faux-cati

[Source: Hell for Leather]

Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz introduce the "Faux-cati" in Knight and Day *Update originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Jun 2010 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mission Impossible 3 premiere turns into Lamborghini Cruise-in

Chris Paukert — Sat, 29 Apr 2006 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Etc., Europe, Supercars, Lamborghini

Alright, so we've probably pegged our Tom Cruise quota for the month. That said, who can pass up on a star-laden train of 10 Lamborghinis?

The Italian supercar is set to make a prominent appearance in Mission Impossible 3, what is likely to be one of this summer's highest-profile (and highest grossing) films. And to kick off the film's world premiere at the Adriano Cinema in Rome, Cruise and company rolled up a brace of the angular beauties.

Not exactly a wallflower, Cruise was seen leaping onto one of the Lamborghini's roofs in order to greet the assembled masses.

[Source: CarPages UK]

Mission Impossible 3 premiere turns into Lamborghini Cruise-in originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 29 Apr 2006 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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