SPIED + VIDEO: HOUSTON! We Have A Problem! All-New BMW i8 Caught Having Some Problems During Nürburgring Shakedown

Perhaps I should actually say "Munich! We have a problem!"

Spotted testing on the world famous Nürburgring, this isn't out of the ordinary for a car like the all-new BMW i8. Hell, everything gets tested — and spied — on this track. BUT, there's one big difference this time around.

The i8 was having a bit of trouble. Though our videographer friends below characterize the car as having "broken down," that's clearly not the case as the driver was able to drive away and was captured using the car later in the day. What is a bit concerning though is that the tester had to pull over for what's claimed to be approximately 15 minutes and fiddled with the brakes. Obviously, there is no logical explanation for why one would do that unless the driver felt the brakes had gone or some other issue related to the braking system cropped up.

Considering we've seen other flagships burn to the ground at the Nürburgring — we're looking at you Audi R8 and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series — this isn't a dramatic episode.


During the Industry pool on April 11 2014 BMW was testing with this i8. At one point the car rolled by really slowly and pulled over at the side of the track, seemingly broken down. I think there were some problem with the brakes, since the driver was constantly using the brake pedal while being stationary. After about 15 minutes he drove off really slowly. I think it wasn't a major problem because I later saw him driving around the village of Nürburg again, but it shows again that all the development work manufacturers put into their cars isn't for nothing!

HughJass - 4/26/2014 11:16:24 AM

+1 Boost

Sweet car but the thing that bothers me is that there are two power plants turning 2 sets of tires, gas for back, electric for front. Can't wrap my head around how the timing won't eventually get out of synch unless the electric is there only to act as a turbo like what Lexus does.

JDMUSMuscle - 4/26/2014 2:15:12 PM

-1 Boost

Is it surprising? Not really. BMW breaks down all the time.

The reason why it is a luxury car, is because you have to pay thousands of dollars every week just to keep the car running.

MattDarringer - 4/26/2014 7:08:45 PM

0 Boost

Indeed, give me Genesis, Lexus, Infiniti quality over the Germans any day of the week.

carloslassiter - 4/26/2014 3:40:52 PM

+3 Boost

I still think the i8 is an answer to a question that nobody asked.

MattDarringer - 4/26/2014 7:08:10 PM

+2 Boost

I so agree and it looks like a Mitsubishi Eclipse.

dlin - 4/27/2014 2:40:16 PM

-1 Boost

A pumped up Prius from BMW :)

w222 - 4/27/2014 6:48:37 PM

+2 Boost

The i8 was caught on the side on the road in several times already during testing.
I believe one time the car caught fire.... Unreliable as usual

DTMFan - 4/28/2014 5:44:41 AM

+2 Boost

Proof the i8 is not a supercar!.. If it were, it would have not only broken down, but caught fire too! :D

Does look good though, I have to say.