The BMW i8 was introduced to the BMW lineup as a plug-in hybrid sports car in 2014 and was made through 2020. BMW vehicles are known for their distinct styling and the i8 also has the features consumers expect from today’s sports cars. But what’s the towing capacity of a BMW i8?
The BMW i8 is not rated for towing and attempting to do so with your vehicle could damage it or void the manufacturer’s warranty.
There’s a bit more to know about BMW i8 towing which we’ll cover in today’s guide.
2020 BMW i8 Towing Capacity
CAP: How much weight can a BMW i8 tow is 0 lbs.
As we covered earlier, the BMW i8 is not rated for towing, and doing so can damage your vehicle.
| i8 Trim Level | Engine | Axle Ratio | Horsepower | Torque | Towing Capacity |
| Coupe | 1.5L Turbo | 3.68 | 369 hp | 369 lb-ft | 0 lbs / 0 kg |
You can also read our guide on what makes a vehicle towing capacity to learn all the aspects that go into it.
BMW i8 Braked Vs. Unbraked Towing Capacity
All vehicles have different towing capacities based on whether or not you’re towing a trailer that has trailer brakes installed.
Trailer brakes allow the trailer to stop faster than if only the vehicle is using its brakes, allowing the vehicle to tow more weight, so braked towing capacity will always be higher than unbraked towing capacity.
BMW i8 Braked Towing Capacity:0 lbs.
BMW i8 Unbraked Towing Capacity: 0 lbs.
BMW i8 Towing Capacity Factors
There are two main items that determine how much weight a BMW i8 can pull: the engine and towing package selected.
The engine will determine how much power the vehicle has to pull towed weight, while the towing package includes the towing hardware, installation, and any additional modifications to the vehicle.
BMW i8 Engine Specs
The base model i8 xDrive40i has a 1.5 Liter Turbo Inline-3 Plug-in Hybrid Engine.
This engine offers a max 369 horsepower and 369 lb.-ft of torque along with an automatic transmission.
BMW i8 Tow Packages
Does The BMW i8 Have A Tow Package?
The i8 is not rated for towing, so it does not come with a tow package.
Additionally, finding one that fits the body of the i8 will be a challenge since there are not too many manufacturers that produce trailer hitches for vehicles that aren’t designed to tow anything like the i8.
If you do find one, expect it to be a Class 1 hitch.
BMW i8 Towing: What Do I Need?
If you plan on towing anything with your i8, you’ll need a tow hitch and wiring harness.
Depending on what you’re towing, you’re going to need a ball mount (aka a trailer ball hitch) so you can attach items for towing.
BMW i8 Tow Hitch
Trailer hitches come in different hitch classes, which are rated for different vehicle sizes and weight limits.
The BMW i8 would have a Class 1 hitch, assuming you can find one.
Here’s a great ball mount option so you can hook up different types of trailers for towing with your i8:
- DEPENDABLE STRENGTH. Rated to tow 3,500 pounds gross trailer weight and 350 pounds tongue weight, this ball hitch offers dependability for your towing setup (weight capacity may change if trailer ball is removed)
- VERSATILE USE. This trailer hitch ball mount comes with a 1-1/4-inch shank to fit virtually any industry-standard 1-1/4-inch receiver. The ball mount has a 3-1/4-inch drop, 2-inch diameter ball, 1/2-inch hitch pin hole and 7-1/4-inch overall length
- READY TO TOW. Hitching up your trailer is easy with this ready-to-use trailer hitch ball mount. It comes with a pre-attached tow ball for ready coupling and a trailer hitch pin to securely mount onto your hitch receiver
- CORROSION-RESISTANT. For long-lasting use, this ball hitch is protected with a durable black powder coat finish, and the trailer ball has a polished chrome plating. These finishes resist damage from rain, dirt, road salt and other corrosive threats
- EASY TO INSTALL. To install the trailer hitch ball mount on your vehicle, simply insert the shank into your vehicle's 1-1/4-inch hitch receiver. The rounded shank makes installation easy
BMW i8 Tow Hitch Installation
If you’re considering having a tow hitch added to your i8, expect to pay between $100 and $200 to have a tow package professionally installed (excluding the cost of the tow hitch and wiring harness).
If you’re handy and looking to save money, you can install the trailer hitch and wiring harness yourself.
Always follow the manufacturer’s directions and use proper safety precautions.
Hitch Receiver Vs Rear Step Bumper Towing
Some vehicles allow for bumper towing, which means you can mount a tow hitch ball directly on the bumper instead of installing a tow hitch to the vehicle’s frame.
Can I Bumper Tow With BMW i8?
The BMW i8 does not allow for bumper towing, so you’ll need to use a frame-mounted hitch if you can find one.
How Do I Know If My BMW i8 Has A Tow Package?
You can start by looking under the rear bumper of your i8 to see if you see a trailer hitch or trailer ball.
That will give you a good indication of if you have a tow hitch already installed on your i8.
Another way to research this is by checking the paperwork that came with your vehicle or taking it to a local dealer to see what’s installed.
Make sure to have your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) handy if you call the dealer so they can look up the exact specs and whether or not your vehicle has any towing packages or features installed on it.
2019 BMW i8 Towing Capacity
The 2019 BMW i8 had the same engine options as the 2020 i8 trim levels, so the towing capacities are the same.
| i8 Trim Level | Engine | Axle Ratio | Horsepower | Torque | Towing Capacity |
| Giga World Coupe | 1.5L Turbo | 3.68 | 369 hp | 369 lb-ft | 0 lbs / 0 kg |
| Giga World Roadster | 1.5L Turbo | 3.68 | 369 hp | 369 lb-ft | 0 lbs / 0 kg |
2018 BMW i8 Towing Capacity
The 2018 BMW i8 had the same engine options as the 2019 i8 trim levels, so the towing capacities are the same.
| i8 Trim Level | Engine | Axle Ratio | Horsepower | Torque | Towing Capacity |
| Giga World Coupe | 1.5L Turbo | 3.68 | 369 hp | 369 lb-ft | 0 lbs / 0 kg |
| Giga World Roadster | 1.5L Turbo | 3.68 | 369 hp | 369 lb-ft | 0 lbs / 0 kg |
2017 BMW i8 Towing Capacity
The 2017 BMW i8 only had three trim levels: the Mega World, Giga World, and Tera World.
The i8’s 2017 engine was slightly less powerful with 228 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque.
| i8 Trim Level | Engine | Axle Ratio | Horsepower | Torque | Towing Capacity |
| Mega World | 1.5L Turbo | 3.68 | 228 hp | 236 lb-ft | 0 lbs / 0 kg |
| Giga World | 1.5L Turbo | 3.68 | 228 hp | 236 lb-ft | 0 lbs / 0 kg |
| Tera World | 1.5L Turbo | 3.68 | 228 hp | 236 lb-ft | 0 lbs / 0 kg |
2016 BMW i8 Towing Capacity
The 2016 BMW i8 only had three trim levels: the Mega World, Giga World, and Tera World.
The i8’s 2016 engine was was the same as the 2017 year model..
| i8 Trim Level | Engine | Axle Ratio | Horsepower | Torque | Towing Capacity |
| Mega World | 1.5L Turbo | 3.68 | 228 hp | 236 lb-ft | 0 lbs / 0 kg |
| Giga World | 1.5L Turbo | 3.68 | 228 hp | 236 lb-ft | 0 lbs / 0 kg |
| Tera World | 1.5L Turbo | 3.68 | 228 hp | 236 lb-ft | 0 lbs / 0 kg |
2015 BMW i8 Towing Capacity
The 2015 BMW i8 had three really strangely-named trim levels, each with the same 1.5L 3-cylinder Turbo Hybrid Engine.
All had the same 0-lb towing capacity.
| i8 Trim Level | Engine | Axle Ratio | Horsepower | Torque | Towing Capacity |
| Giga World | 1.5L Turbo | 3.68 | 357 hp | 420 lb-ft | 0 lbs / 0 kg |
| Tera World | 1.5L Turbo | 3.68 | 357 hp | 420 lb-ft | 0 lbs / 0 kg |
| Pure Impulse World | 1.5L Turbo | 3.68 | 357 hp | 420 lb-ft | 0 lbs / 0 kg |
2014 BMW i8 Towing Capacity
The 2014 BMW i8 had the same three trim levels as the 2015 year model, each with the same 1.5L 3-cylinder Turbo Hybrid Engine.
All have a zero pound towing capacity.
| i8 Trim Level | Engine | Axle Ratio | Horsepower | Torque | Towing Capacity |
| Giga World | 1.5L Turbo | 3.68 | 357 hp | 420 lb-ft | 0 lbs / 0 kg |
| Tera World | 1.5L Turbo | 3.68 | 357 hp | 420 lb-ft | 0 lbs / 0 kg |
| Pure Impulse World | 1.5L Turbo | 3.68 | 357 hp | 420 lb-ft | 0 lbs / 0 kg |
