i8 is a "SportCar" with a super price
i3 is a "NomarlCar" .. with a premium price
i8 want to be "Sport" with Eco touch .. but not extreme "fuel economical"
i3 is more a pure EV, with a small ICE for reduce "range stress"
Fisker Karma ... also used a Petrol Engine .. but this is more a "hobby design" .. not a real R&D outcome from one of the few big car companies
Yes ... it is a puzzle
At high speed (but less them 160kmh) is still is possible to increase "load" by charging battery and increase the ICE efficiency
Still .. having the EV motor always "connected" ... EV motors cause a "drag", which need to be "cured" by providing Epower to them even when not used (actually I'm just coping the anko point .. I don't really get this .. I'm using brushless engine for hobby since ages .. and I never notice any special effect or special "resistance" at high rpm :?: )
Anyhow ... looking at a direct drive ... possible a dual speed gear and a turbo diesel engine would have been a better solution .. assuming all could be fitter under the bonnet
I think KIA now has a PHEV, which the EV motor is connected to the main ICE, so both use the same traditional gear box .. this is also another possible approach
PS: Personally I like "simple" design .. so no parallel system .. even if it may gain some efficiency in special condition ... so ... having the least component is the best ...so ... ICE only as generator .. and the smallest and lighter and efficient for the power needed ..
