BMW i8 Review: Exploring the Pioneering Plug-In Supercar
When BMW unveiled the i8 in 2014, it felt like a vehicle beamed in from the future. This radical plug-in hybrid sports car defied conventional automotive design and engineering norms. With its sleek, avant-garde styling and advanced carbon fiber construction, the i8 aimed to redefine our expectations of performance and efficiency.
But could a part-electric sports car really deliver an engaging driving experience?
The short answer is yes – the BMW i8 manages to blend exhilarating performance with frugal emissions, all while turning heads with its futuristic supercar looks.
What is the BMW i8?
The BMW i8 is a mid-engine sports car that utilizes a plug-in hybrid powertrain. It was launched in 2014 as the first production model from BMW’s elite “i” sub-brand focused on developing cutting-edge electrified vehicles.
At its core, the i8 features a lightweight yet immensely strong passenger cell constructed from carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). This technique allowed BMW to integrate the i8’s battery pack and hybrid components while keeping the overall weight down to just 3,455 lbs – lighter than many conventional high-performance sports cars.
The CFRP construction is just one of many examples of the advanced engineering and innovative thinking that went into the BMW i8. This future-forward approach extended to the i8’s design and styling as well.
BMW i8 Design and Styling
From the moment you set eyes on the BMW i8, there’s no mistaking this for a typical sports car. Its dramatic, low-slung body seems ripped from the pages of a science-fiction novel.
The i8’s wedge shape and sweeping profile give it an unmistakable supercar silhouette. But look closer and you’ll find unique details like the upward-swinging “butterfly” doors and innovative Air Curtain inlets that channel air around the front wheels.
The end result is a design that is both highly functional and visually arresting. It looks every bit as futuristic today as it did nearly a decade ago when the i8 first debuted.
Does the BMW i8 Look Like a Supercar?
In short, yes the BMW i8 has definite supercar presence thanks to its exotic looks. From the sculpted bodywork to the dramatic scissor doors, it certainly turns more heads than the average sports car.
However, the i8 differs from traditional supercars in its approach. Rather than massive dimensions and brash styling, it has a relatively compact footprint. The i8’s shape is optimized for efficiency through sweeping curves and airflow management.
So while it may look like a supercar at first glance, the i8 takes a more futuristic and eco-conscious interpretation of the concept. It’s a supercar built for the modern, environmentally-aware age.
How Powerful and Fast is the BMW i8?
The BMW i8 utilizes a plug-in hybrid powertrain consisting of a mid-mounted 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine and an electric motor/generator. This gasoline-electric hybrid system produces a combined output of 369 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque.
Power routes through a 6-speed automatic transmission to an intelligent all-wheel drive system. The electric motor powers the front wheels while the turbocharged 3-cylinder drives the rear wheels.
So how does this innovative hybrid setup translate to real-world performance? Pretty darn quick, actually:
- 0 to 60 mph: 4.1 seconds
- Top Speed: 155 mph (electronically limited)
To put those numbers into context, the standard i8 can accelerate from 0-60 mph nearly as quickly as the latest BMW M3 Competition (4.0 seconds). Its top speed also matches or exceeds many dedicated high-performance sports cars.
The i8 isn’t a dragstrip monster by any means. But it definitely delivers the thrilling straight-line acceleration you’d expect from a exotic coupe with serious power under the hood. Thanks to the instant torque from the electric motor, it feels even quicker than the stats suggest from a standstill.
What is the Electric-Only Range of the BMW i8?
As a plug-in hybrid, the BMW i8 can operate solely on electric power for short distances. Originally launched with a 7.1 kWh battery pack providing around 15 miles of EPA-rated electric range, BMW later updated the i8 with an improved 11.6 kWh battery.
The refreshed 2019 i8 models can now travel up to 18 miles on electric power alone according to EPA estimates. In real-world driving conditions, you can expect a range of around 15-20 miles running in electric mode depending on your driving style.
More importantly, the electric motor provides enough power to sustain speeds up to 75 mph on electric power alone. This makes the i8 immensely usable for everyday driving situations where you’re zipping around town or crawling through stop-and-go traffic.
What’s it Like to Drive the BMW i8?
On the road, the BMW i8 provides a truly unique driving experience that blends futuristic tech with sporting thrills. Let’s break it down into the two main operating modes:
Pure Electric Mode: With just the electric motor powering the front wheels, the i8 operates in near-silent fashion. There’s an eerie sense of detachment as this exotic sports car wafts down the road with zero emissions and minimal noise. The instant torque from the electric motor provides smooth yet punchy acceleration ideal for urban commuting.
Sport Mode: Engage the sport mode and BMW’s party piece awakens. The gasoline engine fires up, sending its power to the rear wheels. Now the i8 transforms into a rapid all-wheel drive sports car. The entire powertrain works in concert, delivering big surge of acceleration accompanied by the distinctive snarl of BMW’s TwinPower turbo three-cylinder.
No matter which mode you’re in, the i8 demonstrates remarkable poise and agility for a hybrid sports car. The low center of gravity and stiff CFRP chassis provide excellent road-holding and impact isolation.
The steering is direct and precise, if a bit light and numb on feedback compared to BMW’s more driver-focused M cars. But you’ll never mistake the i8 for a pure track weapon – it leans more towards a Grand Touring nature thanks to its comfortable ride quality and surprising every-day usability.
Is the BMW i8 Practical for Daily Use?
While unconventional in many respects, the BMW i8 can actually make a decent daily driver sports car for its owners – with a few caveats.
On the positive side, the i8 offers decent fuel efficiency and all-electric driving capability to handle your mundane commuting duties. Driven in a mix of conditions, owners can expect to achieve 25-30 mpg combined with electric assist. That’s impressive given the i8’s performance credentials.
The interior packaging is also more accommodating than you might expect. The scissor doors make ingress/egress tricky, but once inside there’s ample headroom and legroom for drivers around 6 feet tall.
Unfortunately, the i8’s sloping roofline and tiny trunk severely limit cargo capacity and versatility. You’ll struggle to fit more than a small roller bag or backpack behind the seats. The i8 is emphatically not a family hauler.
So while it can indeed function as a daily driver, the i8 is probably best suited for those with a primary vehicle for routine duties. For weekends and date nights however, BMW’s futuristic sports car is ready to impress.
BMW i8 Interior, Features and Technology
Slip inside the BMW i8 and you’re greeted by an interior that seamlessly blends performance car ergonomics with futuristic design flair. The low, wing-shaped dashboard and raised center console create an immersive, cockpit-like feel behind the wheel.
Material quality lives up to BMW’s premium pedigree. Liberal use of leather, aluminum accents, and exposed carbon fiber reinforce the high-tech, lightweight construction. At the same time, quintessential BMW design touches like the classic cylindrical gauge cluster create a sense of familiarity.
The i8’s standard tech loadout is generous with amenities like dynamic cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, navigation, heated seats, and BMW’s iDrive infotainment system with a 8.8-inch central display.
The iDrive system incorporates crisp graphics, intuitive menu layouts, and seamless smartphone integration (including wireless Apple CarPlay). While not the newest iteration, iDrive still provides a premium and user-friendly experience on par with other luxury marques.
Available luxury options let you outfit the i8 with niceties like a Harman Kardon audio system, head-up display, and even laser headlights with automatic high beams. Overall, the i8 cabin matches the exterior’s futuristic vibe while delivering all the comforts expected from a six-figure grand touring machine.
What are the BMW i8 Pros and Cons?
After examining the i8’s design, performance, and practicality, let’s summarize its key strengths and weaknesses:
Pros of the BMW i8:
- Futuristic, head-turning supercar styling
- Lightweight carbon fiber construction
- Excellent fuel efficiency for a performance car
- Advanced plug-in hybrid powertrain
- Quick straight-line acceleration
- Comfortable grand touring ride quality
- Well-equipped with premium features/tech
Cons of the BMW i8:
- Artificial, numb steering feel
- Cramped interior and limited cargo space
- Not a pure performance sports car
- Expensive given its mainstream performance
- Short electric driving range
How Much Does the BMW i8 Cost?
When new, the BMW i8 coupe started at around $148,000 while the i8 Roadster convertible carried an even loftier $164,000 price tag. Those sticker prices positioned the i8 towards the higher end of the premium sports car market.
However, now that the i8 has been out of production for a couple years, buyers can find clean, low-mileage examples on the pre-owned market from the $50,000s to around $80,000 depending on condition, mileage, and featured options.
Pricing a used i8 in that $60,000 – $70,000 range brings it into alignment with new sports cars offering comparable performance like the Toyota Supra, higher-trim Porsche 718 Cayman, and even the entry-level Corvette. So while it was priced as an exotic when new, the i8 now presents a relatively affordable opportunity to own a slice of BMW’s pioneering plug-in hybrid tech.
The Verdict – Should You Buy a BMW i8?
The BMW i8 is an immensely unique prospect in the premium sports car realm. It accomplishes the impressive feat of delivering exotic supercar styling and respectable grand touring performance while demonstrating a commitment to sustainable driving through its advanced plug-in hybrid powertrain.
For buyers drawn to the i8’s blend of futuristic design and eco-conscious engineering, it can make a compelling purchase – especially at current used pricing levels. The i8 provides a way to have your cake and eat it too, enjoying an uncompromising emotional connection while minimizing your environmental impact.
However, the i8 does demand some compromises in the areas of practicality and outright performance. If you’re looking to maximize interior space, cargo capacity, or lap times around a racetrack, there are likely better options from established sports carmakers.
But if turning heads and experiencing BMW’s pioneering vision for the sports car of tomorrow is your goal, the i8 delivers a truly unique and engaging ownership experience found nowhere else on the road. Just make sure your realistic expectations are aligned with the i8’s nuanced driving character and design philosophy.
In Summary
The BMW i8 represents an ambitious step towards integrating sustainable mobility with scintillating performance and supercar curb appeal. While not without its quirks and shortcomings, BMW’s plug-in hybrid coupe turned heads and pushed boundaries from the day it launched. Nearly a decade later, the i8 remains an aesthetic and technological marvel that makes a strong statement about the future of the driver’s car.
