VIDEO: Is BMW Working On The FIRST Cool, Performance Hybrid You Can Actually Buy?

Hybrid autos just don't seem to excite people. Or, they just tend to be plain old bad.

And just about everyone has built a hybrid at this point. They're just not all that great. And the ones that promise to change that paradigm cost, well, upwards of $1 million bucks. I would say that's mostly unattainable for most commoners.

But BMW could be onto something with its all-new i8.

The only reason I can say this is because it was recently tested while under development and EVO Magazine's Harry Metcalfe had the chance to take a spin at what appears to be a development center.

It's a very interesting thing to hear the vehicle shift from its BMW-esque howl to a eerily silent electric motor that simply zooms along.

Said to cost approximately 100,000 Euros, it will be squaring up against the likes of the Porsche 911.

Considering these factors, we want to know: Is BMW working on the FIRST cool, performance hybrid you actually can buy?

Watch the clip below and weigh in.


Join evo's Harry Metcalfe at an exclusive winter test of next year's BMW i8 performance hybrid Porsche 911 rival.

Henanamani1 - 2/26/2013 11:23:14 PM

+2 Boost

HURRY UP ALREADY! SHOW IT! TIRED OF THE SAME BLUE TAPE!!!

Agent00R - 2/26/2013 11:29:45 PM

+1 Boost

That makes two of us; however, I think the concept is pretty telling to how it will look in production.

pepito66 - 2/27/2013 12:13:22 AM

+2 Boost

Awesome and interesting....

cidflekken - 2/27/2013 1:01:35 AM

+2 Boost

I guess the upcoming NSX just isn't cool enough or performance-oriented enough to get the Agent's juices flowing.

M5twinturbo - 2/27/2013 7:58:35 AM

+2 Boost

As long as people understand this is not meant to be a super car like the Porsche 918 and mclaren which will cost at least 8 times as much, and is designed to be a base 911 rival it becomes quite appealing. It will offer 350 hp and 400lb ft of torque which is quite close to the 911. Plus with its super low center of gravity, and close to 70mpg it will make a great everyday sports car.

cidflekken - 2/28/2013 2:44:25 PM

+1 Boost

So, I'm just going to say this, hopefully for the last time. The "Agents" always claim no bias FOR BMW, and no bias AGAINST Acura. But this post is such a clear indication, it just makes me feel a bit bad.

For 4 months now, Acura (and even the agents) have been talking about Acura's NSX forthcoming, the fact that it's a "hybrid", and obviously will be a "performance" car that "you can actually buy". And, oddly, it's the only Acura product that has gotten ANY positive comments from the "Agents'.

YET, when BMW shows this i8, it's the ONLY one that the "Agents" recognize as a hybrid performance car (I know others have introduced concepts, but no confirmed production plans).

So, not that they would, but it would be interesting to hear the "Agents" justification for this. As a comparison:
Hybrids - check
Performance cars - check
Similar price point - check