BMW i8 Ultimate Sophisto & i3s Edition RoadStyle: A Quick Look

• Two new special editions are available for the BMW i8 and i3.
• Pricing information is forthcoming for the limited-edition models. 
• After the special editions arrive, BMW is putting the i8 into retirement.

The BMW i lineup now has two new special editions, although how long they stick around is another thing entirely. The i line is BMW’s tag team of electric and PHEV vehicles, the i3 and i8. Up first is the i3s Edition RoadStyle, a cool name for a gnarly-looking vehicle BMW dubs as the quickest and sportiest i3 yet. Then the i8 Ultimate Sophisto Edition, which receives an E-Copper trim plus a number of upscale interior details. Contrasting the i3 mightily in terms of appearance, fans may recall the BMW i8 as Ethan Hunt’s ride in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol.

The only impossible thing about these two, however, might simply be getting your hands on one. The i3s Edition RoadStyle is limited to only 900 while the allocation for the i8 Ultimate Sophisto Edition is a mere 200. What’s more, those 200 are it. After that, the i8 is going into retirement. BMW says it’s the “final chapter” in the i8’s story.

BMW i8 Ultimate Sophisto Edition

Indeed it may not get anymore special than this unique send-off. Available in both coupe and convertible, this rare BMW i8 sports a Sophisto Grey metallic paint. E-Copper accents decorate the 20-inch alloy wheels, kidney grille, and side skirts. High-gloss black accents run through the brake calipers with blue accents and BMW i badging. Special door sill plates mark the car’s number accordingly – i.e. “1 of 200” and so on. Tech and connectivity treatments include a heads-up display, navigation, Apple CarPlay, and a Harman-Kardon audio system.

The all-wheel drive i8 Ultimate Sophisto Edition produces a combined 369 horsepower and 420 lb-ft. of torque. Convertible versions hit 60 in 4.4 seconds while the coupe does the job in 4.2 seconds. Fuel economy is a healthy 69 MPGe.

BMW i8 Ultimate Sophisto Edition. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.

BMW i3s Edition RoadStyle

The i3s Edition RoadStyle comes to the party with Fluid Black exterior paint and E-Copper touches for the kidney grille inlays, front bumper air deflectors, and side skirts. The RoadStyle is all about style on the road with those 20-inch, Jet Black, double-spoke alloy wheels. Dalbergia Brown leather and Dark Oak wood trim dominate the inside; the headrests even receive “Edition RoadStyle” embroidery. The i3s applies a number of sustainable features throughout the cabin, including recycled plastics, fibers, and other raw materials. BMW says over 80 percent of the visible surfaces inside are made from recycled or renewable sources.

Related: A new breed: On the road with the luxurious BMW M850i xDrive Convertible. 

The all-electric i3s is powered by an eDrive motor producing 181 horsepower (4,100 rpm) and 199 lb-ft. of torque from zero rpm. A 120 Ah / 42.2 kWh battery allows for a range of up to 153 miles. 60 mph comes up in 6.8 seconds, thanks to the vehicle’s carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell. The carbon fiber treatments help keep the weight down; the i3s clocks in at just 3,040 lbs.

BMW i3s Edition RoadStyle. Photo: BMW of North America, LLC.

Pricing & Availability

BMW says production of both will begin later this year. Pricing will be announced closer to the on-sale date. Our gut says if you are truly complicating one of these, visit a BMW dealership and try placing an order. It doesn’t seem likely these will end up on too many BWM lots given the limited numbers. If you do order one, take a photo when you get it and share it with us on Twitter.

Carl Anthony studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan. Before going back to school, he simultaneously held product development and experiential marketing roles in the automotive industry.

BMW i8 Ultimate Sophisto Edition & i3s Edition RoadStyle Gallery

Photos & Source: BMW of North America, LLC.

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Hot swap: A plug ‘n’ play Ducati Scrambler kit

Bad Winners wowed us last year with a sharp, purpose-built flat tracker based on the Ducati Scrambler. Now the Parisian shop’s raised the bar with a fresh take on the concept—a bolt-on kit for the Scrambler that looks just as rad, but doesn’t require major surgery.

“We agree now that stock is the new custom, right?” jokes Bad Winners’ front man, Walid Ben Lamine. “Clients coming into the workshop want ‘plug and play’ kits that are easy to reverse. Well, most of them… so that’s what we’re working on lately.”

The previous flat track build was made to race, but this kit leaves the Scrambler fully usable for day-to-day street riding. And it truly is plug and play; you can install it in an afternoon, without having to cut or weld anything. (It even uses the OEM key-operated seat latch.)

The centerpiece of the Scrambler ‘MotoKit’ is its all-new bodywork. There’s a fuel cell that holds eight liters, a cover that goes over it, and a new tail section with a leather seat. There’s also a set of four side covers; two to fill the space below the tank, and two number board-style covers below the seat.

Bad Winners relied on 3D modeling software, and their in-house 3D printer, to develop the kit. Walid and his team designed all the parts digitally, then printed out molds to shape the final fiberglass and carbon fiber pieces on.

The process for building the fuel cell was slightly different. Walid created a 3D design, then split the pieces digitally, laser-cut them from 3 mm aluminum and welded everything up. The whole setup mounts to existing points on the frame, and makes use of the Ducati’s stock fuel pump.

Rather than outsource manufacturing and sit with a whole lot of stock waiting to be sold, all production is done in-house. So each set is built to order, with a four to six week lead-time.

There’s more to the package than just the body kit though. Walid’s selected a set of tasteful bolt-ons to enhance the Scrambler even more—like a snaking two-into-one stainless steel exhaust system from SC Project. There’s a set of K&N filters in the box too, and a Lithium-ion battery from Antigravity.

The exhaust muffler hangs off a bracket that accompanies a rearset setup from Ducabike. There’s a really handy mod up front too; adjustable risers from Gilles Tooling that let you move your bars closer or further from you.

The Bad Winners kit keeps the Scrambler’s speedo and headlight (let’s face it, they work and look good enough), but adds a set of tiny Motogadget turn signals. The front LEDs mount on a custom-machined bracket, and the rear ones attach to an aluminum license plate holder.

All the parts come ready painted or powder-coated, with a choice of white and yellow or black and carbon for the tank cover. You also get all the hardware you need, a manual, and an instructional video.

Pricing for the kit starts at €4,490 (around $4,950) for the above, but there are upgrades available if you’re feeling reckless. Bad Winners have a full Öhlins suspension setup in the catalog, along with a 17” front wheel swap (the stock Scrambler has an 18” hoop up front) and a neater front fender.

The bikes pictured here are wearing the front wheel and fender option, along with sticky Pirelli Diablo Supercorsa tires. With flat track style in mind you’d expect to see a 19” wheel kit on offer, but Walid’s clear on the motorcycle kit’s intended usage.

“It keeps the original feel of the racing flat tracker, but with everyday use in mind,” he explains. “This kit makes the Scrambler a perfect street weapon!”

Bad Winners’ MotoKit is a good look for the Ducati Scrambler, but we also love how well sorted it is. And if you’ve got a Scrambler 1100 in the garage, Walid’s working on a similar kit for that too.

We’re hard-pressed to pick our favorite color though: stealthy black, or vivid yellow. How about you?

Bad Winners | Facebook | Instagram | Photos by Guillaume Petranto

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Dust Kicker! Justin Steyn’s Honda RS600 flat track bike

Flat track racing is all the rage in Europe and the States, but it hasn’t really caught on in South Africa yet. There’s no official race series there—just the occasional ‘run what ya brung’ shindig, where the emphasis is on fun rather than hard-nosed competition.

That hasn’t stopped Johannesburg local Justin Steyn from building his ideal flat track rig though—a replica of Honda’s late-80s RS600 race bike.

The RS600 was the baby brother to the dominant RS750, purpose-built for short tracks and TT circuits. It was never a production model, and there are very few examples out there, but it was basically a works HRC XR600R motor in a Knight Racing frame.

The idea was sparked when Justin entered the only annual event in his area—’Stofskop’ (translated from Afrikaans as ‘dust kick’). He started on his Honda CR250R, then closed out the day running laps on a mate’s BSA bobber.

“I was hooked and wanted to build something more suited to flat track racing,” he tells us. “I wanted to feel the slide—and the CR250 on MX tires wouldn’t allow it.”

“So I set out to find a donor. I thought I’d build something that would tick two boxes: a cheeky bread ‘n milk runner, as well as a flat track weapon for those odd occasions.”

Justin found a 1998 Honda XR600R at a Honda dealership, that had gone in for some work. It was clean and licensed, so he snatched it up and immediately put his credit card to work.

First on the list was a full body kit from Redmax Speed Shop in the UK. The kit included the tank, tail, seat, fork guards, front number plate, and a set of flat track bars. Next up was a pair of 19” Sun rims and new spokes, from Central Wheel Components.

Justin’s budget didn’t go as far as sourcing an original (or replica) Knight frame though, so the XR chassis would have to do. He roped in his good friend ‘Uncle Phil’ to tackle the fabrication side of things—the same gentleman who helped out on his stunning CB550 Dick Mann replica.

Phil de-tabbed the frame, and made up a new set of triple clamps to hold a pair of early-2000s Yamaha R6 Showa forks. Justin had a pair of Honda CR250 rear hubs lying around, so the guys shaved the sprocket mounts off one of them to use it up front, and laced up the wheels.

Rather than try to get the CR hub to play nice with the XR’s swing arm, Justin figured he’d install a CRF swing arm instead. But that was easier said than done; Phil ended up welding the XR arm’s pivot spindle to the CRF unit, and shortening it by 60 mm.

And since it was a custom arrangement already, he added new shock mounts to convert it to a dual shock setup, “in keeping with the 80s flava.” A pair of Bitubo shocks rounded out the package. (Justin at CycleWorx was responsible for the suspension work at both ends).

Since the motor was running strong, Justin focused the engine work around the intake. He slapped on a brand new 38 mm Keihin CR carb, along with a few carb upgrades from Tokyo Mods. Phil fabbed up a new exhaust too (there’s a Yoshimura sticker on it, for the sake of appearances).

Justin didn’t go completely overboard though. He cut costs by hanging onto parts like the OEM brakes, switchgear and controls. And he kept the front brake too, to keep a measure of day-to-day usability.

The first iteration of the build wrapped up the night before the last Stofskop event. After just a few hundred meters of shakedown, Justin was lined up to race.

“I heard the announcer giving some love to two South African moto legends, and thought ‘ah f**k, I’ve got to race these guys’. I grabbed a handful of throttle and lit up the rear tyre, but she started gaining traction and I realized I was up front—I had the holeshot!”

“The rest of the day went much the same, winning all but the last heat. I was stoked, the bike performed brilliantly, and having the right flat track setup is what got the wins.”

That was last year, and all the work since then has been focused on cosmetics and tweaks. The bike now wears its intended livery—a killer retro HRC scheme done by Wicked Wayne paints, along with fresh gloss on the frame and motor.

Richie at Racestar Graffix sorted Justin out with a bunch of custom decals, including some Knight Racing stickers to throw off pundits, and an OEM style warranty info decal for the tail. Then Alf at E.C.C. Customs reassembled everything, ran through a couple of mechanical niggles and “tuned her to run beautifully.”

Justin’s RS600 replica is picture-perfect, and is sure to cause jaws to drop when it lines up for the 2019 Stofskop this weekend. But it’s not going to stay shiny for long..

Justin Steyn Instagram | Photos by Duane Coetzee

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2020 Jeep Wrangler Willys; Black & Tan Editions Are Coming!

• Two special edition Jeeps are about to hit the market based on the new Wrangler.
• Jeep enthusiasts will appreciate the historical and vintage appeal of the new models. 

There’s black and tan beer; black and tan coffee and now, a black & tan Jeep! Fans and enthusiasts of the storied brand will be glad to know the Jeep Wrangler Willys and Black & Tan editions are coming down the pipe. Based on the Wrangler Sport S, the Willys and Black & Tan are meant to get Jeep fans excited about the new lineup.

“Special editions are a perfect way for Jeep to connect with customers and feed their ideas and passion into the brand and its vehicles,” explained Jim Morrison, Head of Jeep Brand – North America. “Wrangler Willys harkens back to the original Jeep while Wrangler Black & Tan offers a unique look with a tan top.”

Jeep Wrangler Willys

The Wrangler Willys is ready for Moab with a limited-slip rear differential; Rubicon rock rails and shocks; heavy-duty brakes, and 32-inch Firestone mud terrain tires. The all-terrain party continues with a two-speed transfer case with a 2.72:1 low-range gear ratio, and Jeep’s Command-Trac 4×4 system (part-time). Exterior design flares include black 17-inch aluminum wheels; a gloss-black sport grille; fog lamps and LED headlights; and a special hood decal. On the inside, all-weather floor mats because Jeep.

Your choice of 10 colors: Black, Granite Crystal, Sting Gray, Billet, Ocean Blue, Firecracker Red, Punk’n, Hellayella, Mojito! and White. Personally, we say go for the Punk’n color. Love them bright orange Jeeps! Also, this is the first time a Willys edition is available on the newest-generation Jeep Wrangler (JL).

2020 Jeep Wrangler Willys Edition. Photo: FCA US LLC.

Related: Here were the concepts at the Easter Jeep Safari this year.

Jeep Wrangler Black & Tan

Your Jeep buddies will be looking over the fence when you cruise home in the 2020 Wrangler Black & Tan. Jeep history buffs will appreciate the Black & Tan’s vintage feel. Inside a Wizard Black instrument panel and dash compliment the Heritage Tan cloth seats. The standard Technology Group trims the Black & Tan with FCA’s Uconnect system, seven-inch driver’s display screen, and dual-zone climate control. On the outside,17-inch Machine Granite wheels, all-terrain tires, side steps, unique badging, and a tan soft top complete the look.

Like the Willys, the Black & Tan is a first for the new Wrangler line. The Black & Tan is available in any and all Jeep exterior colors. Punk’n anyone?

2020 Jeep Wrangler Black & Tan. Photo: FCA US LLC.

About The New Jeep Wrangler

The 2019 Jeep Wrangler employs a body-on-frame design; five-link front and rear suspension; solid axles; and electronic lockers. The hollow track and stabilizer bars; aluminum engine mounts and steering gear; and a revised master cylinder help cut weight. Powertrain options include a 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with engine stop-start (ESS); 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 with mild-hybrid e-Torque technology; a 2.0-liter turbo inline four-cylinder with ESS; and a 2.0-liter turbo inline four-cylinder with mild-hybrid e-Torque technology. Next year, Jeep Wrangler 4-door buyers can opt for the 3.0-liter EcoDiesel.

The grille was positioned for better aerodynamic performance as was the windshield. A four bolt design at the top of the windshield’s frame allows it to fold down easily; a new header bar now connects the A-pillars and stays put even with the windshield down. On the inside, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto join a host of other infotainment and navigation features.

2020 Jeep Wrangler Black & Tan interior layout. Photo: FCA US LLC.

Pricing & Availability

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Willys and Black & Tan editions are available to order now. Wrangler Willys has an MSRP of $33,740 for the two-door model; $37,240 for the four-door. The Black & Tan has an MSRP of $32,940 for the two-door model; $36,440 for the four-door. In our opinion, the starting MSRP is pretty reasonable for these two vehicles which look like a blast to drive.

“We are proud that both new models will add to the wide appeal Jeep Wrangler already offers,” Morrison said.

Carl Anthony studies mechanical engineering at Wayne State University, serves on the Board of Directors for the Ally Jolie Baldwin Foundation, and is a loyal Detroit Lions fan. Before going back to school, he simultaneously held product development and experiential marketing roles in the automotive industry.

Photos & Source: FCA US LLC.

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High-Mileage Haulers: Which Vehicles Are Driven The Most?

• New research finds some vehicles log more miles on the road than others. 
• Full-size SUVs comprise most of the overall list along with a few passenger cars.
• Among the least-driven are high performance variants from the likes of Lamborghini.  
• The study from auto search engine iSeeCars analyzed over 2.3 million sales of 10-year-old cars.

The average vehicle logs 11,987 miles each year, which amounts to 32 miles per day. Because driving habits vary widely, some vehicles accumulate far more miles than this, while others are driven significantly less. The iSeeCars.com team analyzed over 2.3 million cars to determine the most-driven vehicles on the road today. Defying conventional wisdom, we found that full-size, gas-guzzling SUVs most often push the mileage envelope. In fact, of the top 13 most-driven vehicles, behemoth full-size SUVs account for nine on the list.

Most-Driven Vehicles: GM Dominates The List

Six domestic full-size SUVs make the list with the family-oriented Chevrolet Suburban in the top spot, which is driven 24 percent more than the average vehicle per year. Following the Suburban are the second-ranked GMC Yukon XL; the fifth-ranked Chevrolet Tahoe; the seventh-ranked GMC Yukon, the ninth-ranked Ford Expedition and the tenth-ranked Cadillac Escalade ESV.

Why are these large SUVs driven more miles per year than the average vehicle? Anyone who has tried to park one of these understands they aren’t the easiest to drive in the city. Yet their expansive cargo capacity, and ability to comfortably seat up to nine passengers in some cases, means these vehicles remain popular options for growing families and for fleet and livery use. It’s also important to note how our study examines the highest annual mileage over 10 years; so the list shows the vehicles most likely to withstand many years of driving. Given the cost of these SUVs new (i.e. starting MSRP of $50,800 for the 2019 Chevy Suburban), drivers have the added incentive of keeping them for as long as possible.

iSeeCars.com analyzes the most-driven vehicles. The Chevy Suburban lands at the top of the list.

Minivans, Midsize SUVs & Hybrids

No analysis of family-friendly vehicles would be complete without mentioning the quintessential family hauler – the minivan. The Honda Odyssey ranks fourth while the Toyota Sienna ranks 12th. While the SUV boom has generally diverted drivers away from minivans, there are still sliding door and folding seat devotees who choose this convenient method of transportation to haul their families.

Standing out as the only midsize SUV is the sixth-ranked Honda Pilot. Competing with full-size SUVs, it offers three rows of comfortable seating and is among the most spacious in its class. It provides a nice compromise for those who don’t want a colossal SUV, but require something more rugged than a minivan.

The only hybrid car on this list is the eleventh-ranked Toyota Prius. Apart from being one of the most-driven vehicles annually, it is also one of the least expensive to maintain when factoring in depreciation, repairs, fuel costs, and insurance premiums. Given the fuel savings of the Toyota Prius, it’s an attractive option for those with long commutes. It also provides a great deal of cargo space for its class, making it a practical choice for a family vehicle.

2019 Toyota Prius XLE AWD-e Hybrid. Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Most-Driven Vehicles: Passenger Cars & Sedans

If a gas-guzzling, full-size SUV isn’t for you, there are more practical and parallel-parking-friendly vehicles. Earning the second spot behind the Toyota Prius is the Nissan Altima, which is driven 10 percent more than the average vehicle. It joins four other sedans including the Chevrolet Malibu, Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, and Nissan Maxima. These midsize sedans appeal to drivers who seek a comfortable car for commuting or family hauling, but don’t require a large vehicle and don’t want to sink the cost into a luxury SUV.

Related: Younger generations are expressing a keen interest in sedans.

Two full-size sedans make the list: the Chevy Impala and Ford Taurus. Along with being spacious for families on the go, they are also popular for fleet and rental use. Rounding out the list are the compact Honda Civic and Volkswagen Jetta. Both offer more cargo room than most compacts, making them practical options for families who don’t need the extra seating capacity.

iSeeCars.com finds the Toyota Prius and the Nissan Altima are among the most-driven passenger cars.

Least-Driven Cars: Low Mileage Lamborghinis

While some cars are proven to be road warriors, others are driven far more sparingly. Convertibles may wait inside a garage for months until the nice weather arrives, and even at that time they are not driven consistently. This list went a step further than what was in our original study to allow for discontinued and low-volume cars.

The list is comprised exclusively of exotic sports cars that are driven between 64.4 and 86 percent less than the average vehicle. The vehicle driven the least annually is the Lamborghini Murciélago, logging an average of just 1,674 miles per year. Required maintenance is incredibly expensive on such exotic cars with a simple oil change costing as much as $2,000. From the same manufacturer comes the Gallardo which ranked third. Produced as an entry-level supercar, it costs about $150,000 less than the Murciélago. Despite its more competitive price and increased reliability, the Gallardo is driven a little over 2,000 miles annually.

Alongside the Italian bull comes Ferrari’s prancing horse. The F430 ranks second, while the 612 Scaglietti ranks fourth. Although oil changes aren’t as expensive as its Italian rival, yearly maintenance is still enough for owners to not drive it as often as other vehicles.

iSeeCars.com examines which ultra luxury and high performance vehicles log the least miles annually.

Least-Driven Cars: Those That Chauffeur

British manufacturer Aston Martin follows through with the ultimate grand tourer, the DB9, as the fifth- and sixth-ranked least-driven cars; with both of its body styles, convertible and coupe, being present. Between the two, they average only 2,675 miles each year. These cars are highway cruisers, so it’s a surprise they are driven so sparingly. Also from the UK is the seventh-ranked Lotus Elise. As a lightweight car that finds its home on an autocross circuit or track, it makes sense it’s only driven just 2,883 miles annually.

The ultimate expression of luxury comes from Rolls Royce with its Phantom; designed to be driven around in rather than you being the driver. As a chauffeur car, any spike in mileage is not surprising as it reaches an average of 3,745 miles yearly. Alongside the Phantom is Bentley’s four-door saloon, the eighth-ranked Arnage and its counterpart the tenth-ranked Continental GT. Centered around the driver, the Continental GT makes for the perfect road trip vehicle in the luxury segment, however.

Bentley Continental GT Convertible Number 1 Edition by Mulliner. Photo: Bentley Motors.

Choosing Your Next Vehicle

Whether you’re looking for a rugged family taxi or a comfortable and efficient car for a long commute; there is a vehicle on the market that can endure years of high-mileage driving to suit your needs. Or, if you have a spacious garage and want a lavish or fun vehicle for the occasional joy ride, there are lots of road kings and queens to choose from!

Julie Blackley is the Communications Manager for iSeeCars.com, an online car search engine powered by big data analytics that helps consumers find the best car deals by providing key insights and valuable resources, like the iSeeCars VIN report. When she isn’t writing about automobiles, she’s likely wrangling her two small children in or out of her own car.

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