BMW offers 80-minute i8 rides at Yeongjong driving center

Starting in June, visitors will be able to test drive the popular BMW plug-in hybrid electric sports car i8 at the company’s driving center in Yeongjong Island on the west coast of the country.

BMW Korea on Friday said it has added the i8 on the roster for its driving training program “Challenge A”.

Visitors who sign up in advance can spend 80 minutes behind the wheel of the next-generation vehicle made out of the carbon-fiber reinforced polymer. A test-ride costs 200,000 won.

The German automaker’s motorcycle business BMW Korea Motorrad has opened a “joy riding” service that will allow visitors to ride with a professional motorcyclist for five minutes. The motorcycle used is the K1600 GTL Exclusive, which is the top of the line model among BMW’s motorcycle lineup. The program was launched Saturday and will run through Sept. 20. The motorcycle program, however, will not be available in August.

BMW Korea added that the driving center will be opened until 7 p.m. between June and September, which is an hour later than its normal closing time. It is increasing the number of programs, adding the Challenge and off-road programs to the list.