First introduced to the world as the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car, the BMW i8 picks up where the BMW i3 electric hatchback left off as the second model in the BMW i lineup.
It was also featured in the movie Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, where Tom Cruise was seen door-handling the car through scrambled traffic in Mumbai in an effort to stop a villain from launching a nuclear missile. Of course, his hot partner, played by Paula Patton (there's always a hot partner in movies like these), provides navigational backup along the way, with information appearing futuristically on the windscreen rather than on a handheld device screen.
Seeing it then in the movie theatre made it quite clear that the plug-in hybrid supercar was created to redefine predictable sports cars.
Exterior
While both the i3 and the i8 possess head-turning looks, it's the latter that will have passers-by take out their phones for a quick snap, accompanied by their oohs and aahs.
It was also featured in the movie Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol, where Tom Cruise was seen door-handling the car through scrambled traffic in Mumbai in an effort to stop a villain from launching a nuclear missile. Of course, his hot partner, played by Paula Patton (there's always a hot partner in movies like these), provides navigational backup along the way, with information appearing futuristically on the windscreen rather than on a handheld device screen.
Seeing it then in the movie theatre made it quite clear that the plug-in hybrid supercar was created to redefine predictable sports cars.
Exterior
While both the i3 and the i8 possess head-turning looks, it's the latter that will have passers-by take out their phones for a quick snap, accompanied by their oohs and aahs.
We wouldn't be exaggerating to say that the i8 is easily one of the most Hollywood-ready cars of the decade. Blessed with a styling that closely resembles the concept itself, it's unapologetic without coming across as obnoxious and outrageous.
What's also unapologetic is BMW's LifeDrive platform, where the Life module passenger cell is constructed out of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastics (CFRP), and the Drive module is made of aluminium to create a super lightweight body. In fact the i8 weighs in at only 1,485kg, which is even lighter than the 3 Series Sedan.
Of course, such a car cannot be compared to a compact executive sedan, especially when its long, wide and low dimensions of 4,689mm x 1,942mm x 1,298mm (L x W x H) put it in the supercar league.
What's also unapologetic is BMW's LifeDrive platform, where the Life module passenger cell is constructed out of Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastics (CFRP), and the Drive module is made of aluminium to create a super lightweight body. In fact the i8 weighs in at only 1,485kg, which is even lighter than the 3 Series Sedan.
Of course, such a car cannot be compared to a compact executive sedan, especially when its long, wide and low dimensions of 4,689mm x 1,942mm x 1,298mm (L x W x H) put it in the supercar league.
Interior
Getting in requires little effort for both driver and front passenger. You've got to get the hang of it, with the butt on the seat first before swiveling your legs in. Once you're past that, everything else falls nicely into place, and you'll be greeted with a design that's absolutely pleasing to the eye.
More importantly, it's reassuringly familiar here, with controls that are placed in sensible and recognisable locations. It does make the i8 special yet usable, which is something we can appreciate, especially for a car that has a futuristic fashion on the outside.
Getting in requires little effort for both driver and front passenger. You've got to get the hang of it, with the butt on the seat first before swiveling your legs in. Once you're past that, everything else falls nicely into place, and you'll be greeted with a design that's absolutely pleasing to the eye.
More importantly, it's reassuringly familiar here, with controls that are placed in sensible and recognisable locations. It does make the i8 special yet usable, which is something we can appreciate, especially for a car that has a futuristic fashion on the outside.
We do like the blue hue (a range of colours is available for you to choose) on the inside, which matches the seatbelts and the car's eco-friendly disposition.
Like most supercars, the car fits two occupants at best, with the token rear seats best left for kids or adults over short hauls. Other than that, the car can be quite a peach in terms of space. The luggage capacity is 154 litres big, which is bigger than the Porsche 911's 145 litres as well as the Audi R8's 100 litres.
Like most supercars, the car fits two occupants at best, with the token rear seats best left for kids or adults over short hauls. Other than that, the car can be quite a peach in terms of space. The luggage capacity is 154 litres big, which is bigger than the Porsche 911's 145 litres as well as the Audi R8's 100 litres.
Drivetrain
Every trip with the i8, whether short or long, is an occasion. There isn't any noise when you fire it up, but lights on the instrument panel come on to indicate the awakening of the plug-in hybrid. It's a special feeling, indeed, especially when there is a lack of a vulgar-sounding exhaust note that's often associated with supercars.
But that doesn't mean it lacks an entertainment punch. Underneath the sheet metal lies a 1.5-litre three-pot powerplant that can also be found in the MINI One but it has been souped up to cater 228 horses and 320Nm of torque to the rear wheels. The front wheels, on the other hand, get 96kW (131bhp) from the electric motor. When worked together, the car will fire its way from zero to 100km/h with absolute fervour and force in a speedy 4.4 seconds.
You could set the Bimmer in eDrive (pure electric), Comfort or Eco Pro mode with a touch of a button. Or you could just flick the gear lever to the left to activate the Sport mode. Either way, there’s always a sense of an appropriate liveliness and cheekiness in the way the car drives. The only difference here between the said settings is the lack of an enhanced soundtrack in eDrive mode.
Every trip with the i8, whether short or long, is an occasion. There isn't any noise when you fire it up, but lights on the instrument panel come on to indicate the awakening of the plug-in hybrid. It's a special feeling, indeed, especially when there is a lack of a vulgar-sounding exhaust note that's often associated with supercars.
But that doesn't mean it lacks an entertainment punch. Underneath the sheet metal lies a 1.5-litre three-pot powerplant that can also be found in the MINI One but it has been souped up to cater 228 horses and 320Nm of torque to the rear wheels. The front wheels, on the other hand, get 96kW (131bhp) from the electric motor. When worked together, the car will fire its way from zero to 100km/h with absolute fervour and force in a speedy 4.4 seconds.
You could set the Bimmer in eDrive (pure electric), Comfort or Eco Pro mode with a touch of a button. Or you could just flick the gear lever to the left to activate the Sport mode. Either way, there’s always a sense of an appropriate liveliness and cheekiness in the way the car drives. The only difference here between the said settings is the lack of an enhanced soundtrack in eDrive mode.
Once you're out on the open road and you decide to floor the right pedal, the turbocharged engine will kick in to prep the Hollywood supercar for combat. Also armed for combat is the chassis and the lovely steering. Although a little light, it is lightning quick and razor sharp on directional changes, which makes the i8 such an easy and stress-free machine to pilot on a daily basis.
More importantly, the futuristic Bimmer isn't all about bruising. In the territory of supercars, it's one of the most civilised cruisers, even on biggish 20-inch wheels.
Conclusion
Being an i8 owner could mean more than just getting a thumbs up from the Aston Martin or Ferrari driver. It allows you to practice hooliganism on the road like Tom Cruise without having a guilty conscience.
Of course, the biggest challenge isn't whether you can have navigational information on the windscreen. It's whether there's a smoking hot partner beside you providing the navigational backup.
More importantly, the futuristic Bimmer isn't all about bruising. In the territory of supercars, it's one of the most civilised cruisers, even on biggish 20-inch wheels.
Conclusion
Being an i8 owner could mean more than just getting a thumbs up from the Aston Martin or Ferrari driver. It allows you to practice hooliganism on the road like Tom Cruise without having a guilty conscience.
Of course, the biggest challenge isn't whether you can have navigational information on the windscreen. It's whether there's a smoking hot partner beside you providing the navigational backup.
