Comparison: Ground clearance BMW i8 vs. competitors 2025
When discussing the dynamic world of automotive engineering, one factor that aficionados often overlook, yet secretly appreciate every time they don't hear the alarming scrape of an underbelly on a speed bump, is ground clearance. Enter the BMW i8 - a vehicle that not only turned heads with its futuristic design but also posed a curious case for ground clearance debates. Conjuring images of sleek, low-lying supercars often at odds with the real-world practicality of higher clearances, the i8 struts a confident 117 mm off the ground, a figure that has steadfastly remained unchanged through its lifecycle from 2014 to 2020. A number that, while seemingly modest, is a testament to BMW's engineering prowess, balancing aerodynamics, aesthetics, and real-world usability.
BMW i8 - How has the ground clearance changed over the generations?
Now, one might wonder, has the i8's ground clearance seen a dramatic evolution through its generational shift? The answer is as sleek as the car itself - no. From its debut in 2014 to its final bow in 2020, the i8 maintained a ground clearance of 117 mm. This consistency highlights BMW's clear vision for the i8 from the onset; a vehicle that does not compromise its stance, quite literally, through trends and years. This steadfast figure in the i8's specifications sheet underscores a design philosophy that marries form with function in a manner that's as precise as the car's handling.
BMW i8 generationsGeneration year | Ground clearance |
---|
i8, Model year 2014 (i8 I08) | 117 mm |
i8, Model year 2018 (i8 I08 (1. Facelift)) | 117 mm |
-
i8, Model year 2014 (i8 I08)
117 mm
-
i8, Model year 2018 ) (i8 I08 (1. Facelift)
117 mm
The difference in Ground clearance between first generation (i8 I08) from 2014 and last generation (i8 I08 (1. Facelift)) from 2018 is 0cm mm.
The ground clearance of the current generation of i8 is 117 mm.
The ground clearance compared to other BMW models
In the grand pantheon of BMW models, where does the i8's ground clearance stand, you ask? Centrally, as a matter of fact, when you consider the broader lineup. Comparatively, the automotive giant's roster varies widely in clearance heights, from the ground-hugging M models, like the M4 CSL Coupé at 113 mm, to the lofty realms of the X series, with models like the X5 standing proud at 214 mm. The i8 occupies a sweet spot that allows it to wield the agility of lower-slung sports cars while not entirely dismissing the practical consideration of navigating less-than-ideal road terrains.
Ground clearance: i8 vs. other models by BMWVariant name | Ground clearance |
---|
X7 | 221 mm |
X7 M Performance | 221 mm |
X6 | 216 mm |
X6 M Performance | 216 mm |
X3 M Performance | 216 mm |
X3 | 216 mm |
X5 | 214 mm |
X5 M Performance | 214 mm |
X5 M | 212 mm |
X6 M | 212 mm |
X2 | 207 mm |
X1 | 205 mm |
X3 M | 204 mm |
X4 | 204 mm |
X4 M | 204 mm |
X4 M Performance | 204 mm |
iX | 202 mm |
iX M Performance | 202 mm |
X2 M Performance | 191 mm |
X1 M Performance | 189 mm |
2{series} Active Tourer | 171 mm |
iX1 | 170 mm |
iX2 | 167 mm |
3{series} Gran Turismo | 165 mm |
1{series} | 156 mm |
1{series} M Performance | 156 mm |
5{series} Touring | 155 mm |
5{series} Limousine | 154 mm |
i5 Touring | 147 mm |
i5 Limousine | 146 mm |
2{series} Gran Coupé | 145 mm |
2{series} Gran Coupé M Performance | 145 mm |
3{series} Limousine | 141 mm |
4{series} Gran Coupé | 140 mm |
4{series} M Performance Gran Coupé | 140 mm |
3{series} Touring | 140 mm |
i5 M Performance Touring | 137 mm |
i7 | 136 mm |
i7 M Performance | 136 mm |
i5 M Performance Limousine | 136 mm |
7{series} | 136 mm |
7{series} M Performance | 136 mm |
i3s | 131 mm |
8{series} M8 Coupé | 130 mm |
8{series} M8 Gran Coupé | 130 mm |
3{series} M Performance Limousine | 130 mm |
3{series} M Performance Touring | 130 mm |
4{series} M Performance Coupé | 129 mm |
8{series} Gran Coupé | 128 mm |
8{series} M Performance Coupé | 128 mm |
8{series} M Performance Gran Coupé | 128 mm |
2{series} Coupé | 128 mm |
2{series} M Performance Coupé | 128 mm |
8{series} M8 Cabrio | 127 mm |
4{series} Coupé | 127 mm |
4{series} M Performance Cabrio | 126 mm |
8{series} M Performance Cabrio | 125 mm |
i4 | 125 mm |
i4 M Performance | 125 mm |
4{series} Cabrio | 124 mm |
4{series} M4 CS Coupé | 123 mm |
3{series} M3 Touring | 123 mm |
2{series} M2 Coupé | 123 mm |
8{series} Coupé | 121 mm |
4{series} M4 Cabrio | 121 mm |
3{series} M3 CS Touring | 121 mm |
4{series} M4 Coupé | 120 mm |
3{series} M3 Limousine | 120 mm |
3{series} M3 CS Limousine | 119 mm |
5{series} M5 Touring | 118 mm |
8{series} Cabrio | 118 mm |
i8 Roadster | 117 mm |
Z4 Roadster | 117 mm |
5{series} M5 Limousine | 115 mm |
Z4 M Performance Roadster | 114 mm |
-
X7
221 mm
-
X7 M Performance
221 mm
-
X6
216 mm
-
X6 M Performance
216 mm
-
X3 M Performance
216 mm
-
X3
216 mm
-
X5
214 mm
-
X5 M Performance
214 mm
-
X5 M
212 mm
-
X6 M
212 mm
-
X2
207 mm
-
X1
205 mm
-
X3 M
204 mm
-
X4
204 mm
-
X4 M
204 mm
-
X4 M Performance
204 mm
-
iX
202 mm
-
iX M Performance
202 mm
-
X2 M Performance
191 mm
-
X1 M Performance
189 mm
-
2{series} Active Tourer
171 mm
-
iX1
170 mm
-
iX2
167 mm
-
3{series} Gran Turismo
165 mm
-
1{series}
156 mm
-
1{series} M Performance
156 mm
-
5{series} Touring
155 mm
-
5{series} Limousine
154 mm
-
i5 Touring
147 mm
-
i5 Limousine
146 mm
-
2{series} Gran Coupé
145 mm
-
2{series} Gran Coupé M Performance
145 mm
-
3{series} Limousine
141 mm
-
4{series} Gran Coupé
140 mm
-
4{series} M Performance Gran Coupé
140 mm
-
3{series} Touring
140 mm
-
i5 M Performance Touring
137 mm
-
i7
136 mm
-
i7 M Performance
136 mm
-
i5 M Performance Limousine
136 mm
-
7{series}
136 mm
-
7{series} M Performance
136 mm
-
i3s
131 mm
-
8{series} M8 Coupé
130 mm
-
8{series} M8 Gran Coupé
130 mm
-
3{series} M Performance Limousine
130 mm
-
3{series} M Performance Touring
130 mm
-
4{series} M Performance Coupé
129 mm
-
8{series} Gran Coupé
128 mm
-
8{series} M Performance Coupé
128 mm
-
8{series} M Performance Gran Coupé
128 mm
-
2{series} Coupé
128 mm
-
2{series} M Performance Coupé
128 mm
-
8{series} M8 Cabrio
127 mm
-
4{series} Coupé
127 mm
-
4{series} M Performance Cabrio
126 mm
-
8{series} M Performance Cabrio
125 mm
-
i4
125 mm
-
i4 M Performance
125 mm
-
4{series} Cabrio
124 mm
-
4{series} M4 CS Coupé
123 mm
-
3{series} M3 Touring
123 mm
-
2{series} M2 Coupé
123 mm
-
8{series} Coupé
121 mm
-
4{series} M4 Cabrio
121 mm
-
3{series} M3 CS Touring
121 mm
-
4{series} M4 Coupé
120 mm
-
3{series} M3 Limousine
120 mm
-
3{series} M3 CS Limousine
119 mm
-
5{series} M5 Touring
118 mm
-
8{series} Cabrio
118 mm
-
i8 Roadster
117 mm
-
Z4 Roadster
117 mm
-
5{series} M5 Limousine
115 mm
-
Z4 M Performance Roadster
114 mm
How does the ground clearance of the BMW i8 compare to it's nearest competitors?
When thrown into the gladiatorial arena against its closest rivals, how does the i8's ground clearance measure up? Against the likes of the Ferrari 488 GTB or the McLaren 570S, the i8's 117 mm might seem, at first glance, to be a middle-of-the-road proposition. However, when factors like wheelbase and overall length come into play, the i8 asserts itself as a cunningly designed contender. Its ground clearance offers a competitive advantage, striking a balance that contributes to its aerodynamic efficiency and driving dynamics. Against the Lotus Evora, with a similar clearance of 120 mm but a shorter overall length, the i8 demonstrates BMW's mastery of creating a vehicle that does not compromise performance for practicality, or vice versa. It's this careful consideration of design and engineering specs that positions the i8 uniquely in its class - a vehicle that, much like the driver behind its wheel, understands that to navigate the complexities of the road, one must maintain just the right distance from the ground.
Ground clearance: BMW i8 vs. similar carsCar model | Ground clearance |
---|
Polestar 1 2020 | 142 mm |
Lotus Emira 2022 | 140 mm |
Lexus RC 2016 | 130 mm |
ALPINA B4/D4 (4er-Reihe) 2014 | 130 mm |
Aston Martin DB11 2016 | 122 mm |
Aston Martin DBS Superleggera 2018 | 120 mm |
BMW i8 2018 | 117 mm |
Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 4-Türer Coupé 2021 | 116 mm |
Toyota Supra 2019 | 115 mm |
Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 2014 | 96 mm |
McLaren Sports Series 2015 | 93 mm |
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