When it comes to supercars, the world is undergoing a complete and utter revolution. That's because instead of adding multiple turbochargers or a supercharger to an engine, the most cutting-edge automakers are doing something that was somewhat unexpected. They're using hybrid powerplants to achieve more power.
If you say the word hybrid, the first image that likely pops into someone's mind is that of a Toyota Prius. It is one of the most popular hybrid vehicles, and armed with a unique shape and Hollywood A-lister endorsements, it became a cultural icon.
BMW i8
That association may start to shift though.
Supercar manufacturers like Ferrari, McLaren and Porsche are using traditional gasoline-powered motors paired up with the likes of batteries and electric motors to produce astonishing figures. Give or take 900 horsepower is what we're talking about.
There's just one BIG problem with all of this cutting-edge engineering. These vehicles can cost anywhere from around $850,000 to well over $1,000,000.
But, thanks to BMW, there may be an alternative that gives you a similar thrill for a fraction of the investment. This brings us to our subject, the i8.
BMW i8
Looking like a modern day interpretation of the marque's very first M sports car — the M1 — that's benefiting from some sleek aerodynamic tricks on its hind quarters, there's absolutely no question that this slinky coupe is not your ordinary Beemer. And to really cement that, the Bavarians decided to equip the all-new plug-in hybrid sports car with dihedral doors. In lay terms, it means the doors go up and pivot slightly outwards.
While the exterior design is edgy, especially around the back thanks to well thought out air channels, it isn't abrasive. Personally, I have yet to hear one person say "I don't like it."
And whether you're cruising the local boulevard or at highway speed, you're going to know it. That's because you'll have youngsters chasing you and asking to get a peek inside, or you'll be side-by-side with an all-new Ferrari California T and the passengers will be giving YOU a wide-tooth smile and a thumb's up.
Simply put, it's a winner.
Getting behind the wheel takes a lot of bending, twisting and caution, but once you get used to it and you're situated, you'll find the cabin to be very 6-Series like. Except you will note that it's a bit more intimate with a futuristic spin. While some pieces of trim are a bit chintzy, you do have to keep in mind that this vehicle was developed with a focus on being lightweight. That means it won't have your typical, high-end BMW plastics and leather everywhere. A couple of examples include the vinyl-like steering wheel, suspect door grabs and creaky plastic door sills . It isn't an awful thing, it actually reminds me of the interior of a Lotus — another company who's cars are developed with weight in mind.
The exceptional parts of this interior that I personally loved were the ultra thin seats that are super comfortable with minimal adjustment, and the all-new instrument panel (IP). The IP on the i8 is exceptionally done as it displays all of the vehicle's information in a particularly sexy way. Rather than follow a lot of other automaker's lead with TFT screens that display traditional gauges, BMW took a different route and decided to represent the information a bit differently. I adore the brilliant blues when I am in Eco Pro or Comfort mode, and I like the switch to amber and red when I am in Sport mode.
Peering around the cabin, you'll likely realize something else. There is not a tremendous amount of glass in this car; however, you still can see outside with plenty of visibility. More so than you'll find in just about any other high-end sports car. While many of today's best designed sports cars do not seem to take outward visibility into consideration, this is not a concern for any driver of the i8.
BMW i8
So, that's all good and well, but I think any reasonable buyer would be left wondering, "How does it drive?" Anyone that's ever driven a hybrid certainly would agree they're typically not the type of cars that provide an endless supply of thrills.
This is the part where everything you've ever known about a hybrid gets tossed out the window.
The i8 is equipped with a mid-engined, gasoline-powered 1.5-liter three-cylinder mill that benefits from the use of a turbocharger. This unit is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission and it sends power to the real wheels. In addition, there is one electric motor that drives the front wheels. The combined output of both motors working in harmony is about 360 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque. Because the i8 weighs in under 3,300 pounds — that's light by modern standards — zero to 60 happens in a scant 4.2 seconds.
Word on the street suggests that BMW's ultimate goal was to produce a plug-in hybrid that had performance numbers similar to an M3 but was able to significantly boost its mpg figure. Well, it accomplished that in a big way. That's because the i8 feels outrageously fast off the line in Sport mode, and when you get on the highway, forget about it. Although I never thought I'd say this, I love this vehicle at wide open throttle: You hear the staggeringly good sound from the three-cylinder engine that hums over your shoulder while an electric whine seeps into the cabin. It's all very thrilling to hear this engineering wunderkind at work.
Even more shocking though is how I feel about the i8 in its all electric mode. I had just as much fun goosing the BMW without the gasoline engine's help. Around town there's absolutely no question that you have enough juice to get where you need to go. On the highway though, that's where the vehicle impressed me. That's because you still have loads of passing power. Note: the all-electric mode can only take you up to 75 mph.
Personally, I love pulling "sneak attacks." Essentially you roll up on unsuspecting people. You'll want to give the horn a toot because most people will not hear you. With mid-engine sports cars like the i8, people expect them to be LOUD. When it's dead silent, it's a major surprise. While there may be plenty of Priuses and Model S' on the road, you have to remember that a lot of people are still not used to the electric phenomena.
Now let's get to the real fun. Because the i8 is mid-engined and the vehicle has a low center of gravity, it is a handler. Taking the plug-in sports car through some twisties was incredibly rewarding. Even better. Put the windows down in all electric mode: it's sensational to work this car in an S-curve without the slightest hint of engine noise. What you may hear is some slight tire screech and that's due to the i8 being shod with narrow rubber. While there is likely some logic behind that for efficiency, it would definitely help performance in the wet if there were wider wheel and tire packages — it got a bit slithery when it rained.
While BMW's shining star used to be its connected feel through the steering rack, that's just not the case anymore as most of its all-new vehicles are now electrically assisted. However, what I will say is that the steering is sharp and, for the first time in the company's high-performance autos, not overweighted. So, it is direct and makes the i8 feel very nimble. Once again, I felt like I was driving a Lotus Evora S rather than a Bavarian product — this is a great thing.
What was rather surprising though was the vehicle's suspension. BMW tuned it just right. Although the i8's chassis is based off of a carbon fiber monocoque, which means results may vary, the BMW felt just as good as a 6-Series over bumps and road imperfections. And, of course, in Sport mode it was just stiff enough to keep the vehicle planted and its tires hooked up to give the driver confidence. BMW nailed it here by striking a balance.
Ultimately though, this vehicle is a plug-in hybrid. So, if you're foregoing the likes of an Audi R8 or Porsche 911, you're likely expecting it to produce some fantastic mpg figures. This is where this car gets interesting. After spending my time driving the i8 with a mix of local roads and highways I obtained 30 mpg. I dare you to try and obtain that in the aforementioned. But, to me, where this vehicle shines is when you use it in the full electric mode. On my daily commute to my city office, I used the all electric mode on local roads and threw it in Sport when I hopped on the highway. The end result? 39 mpg. Doing the exact same drive the following day letting the car use both motors as it saw fit I obtained 37 mpg.
Unfortunately the test car provided was a European-spec model. This means I could not charge it up due to the plug not being U.S.-spec. The silver lining though is that by using Sport mode you can get the vehicle to generate as high as 13 miles, which is the best I could do.
When all is said and done though, what do I think? While I went into it incredibly skeptical, I walked away very impressed and very changed. Although I could have a more vivacious option with the likes of an M6 for the same money, I actually found that I much prefer the i8 over it.
It's not because of the outrageous styling though. I adore the all-new i8 for other reasons: superior mpg, a completely silent ride in the all electric mode, excellent pick up thanks to the aid of the electric motor, and a brilliant sounding three-cylinder gasoline engine.
Would I have it over its similarly priced competition? You bet. There's just one caveat: it wouldn't fulfill my void for a pure driving experience.
The Good:
- A brilliant powerplant that operates seamlessly between its gasoline and electric motors — bonus: it sounds killer
- Impressive driving dynamics and handling ability even on such skinny tires
- 39 mpg when driving from the suburbs to a city office
The Bad:
- Especially tough to get in and out of — dihedral doors, the super low seats and the fact there's not really a great door sill to rest on makes it especially difficult
- Some interior materials feel poor compared to BMW's typical level of quality — this is likely done for weight savings but this is something to be aware of
- If you don't like attention, this is not the vehicle for you as everyone tends to love it or want to ask a question
The Lowdown:
Personally, I'd much rather have the i8 in my driveway over the latest crop of $100,000-150,000 sports cars. While the i8 is not a pure sports car and never will be close to providing that experience, if this is what the future will bring from BMW, it's going to be incredibly fun, fuel efficient and sound great. Kudos to BMW for nailing this one.
BMW i8
