BMW i8: the future or just fantasy?

The car featured in this post is a car that has been long awaited in the car world, having been announced in 2009. BMW decided to join the recent hybrid-fest by attempting to create futuristic works of hybrid art. The two cars-the i3 and i8-were so outlandish that they weren't made in the normal factory. Instead BMW had to create a whole new division (i-division) in order to get the most imaginative results. And, believe it or not, the car you see below is the production i8, not the concept. The i8 that this post is about is the first supercar BMW since the M1 (odd name I know). It tries to rival the likes of the Porsche 911 while being way more efficient. So let's look at the facts.

Other than being very sleek to look at, the BMW i8 has the worlds first laser headlights, has very low drag, has a full-time electric motor powering the front wheels, with 131bhp, and can run for 21 miles in electric only mode and is 80% charged in 2 hours, meaning there isn't the 8 hour wait you get with full EV vehicles. It also has wing doors (probably more to please crowds than to increase aero), a carbon fibre body shell, and cost under a quarter of a Porsche 911's car tax. Powering the back wheels is a 231bhp, 1.5 litre turbo triple engine, meaning that in total we have 362bhp, plus 4WD. It also emits just 49g/kmCO2, and a claimed 134mpg, which is incredible for a car that competes with a Porsche 911 on performance, as well as price.

So, the BMW i8. A car that tries to save the supercar and make them sustainable. And even if you still prefer a screaming V8, you have to give this car credit for its noble quest which may mean that there are still super cars in 30 years time. Drive on.

Nev