The BMW i8 is a plug-in hybrid sports car developed by BMW. The i8 was part of BMW's electrified fleet and was marketed under the BMW i sub-brand. The production version of the BMW i8 was unveiled at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show and was released in Germany in June 2014. Deliveries to retail customers in the U.S. began in August 2014. A roadster variant was launched in May 2018. Production ended in June 2020.
EnI
Piston Pioneer
Allow me from the beginning to express my feelings about this car: Oh my God this car is insanely good!
It has it all; exotic looks, high tech and performance figures to back it up. It is all priced well in relation to its alleged competitors. I know that BMW wants us to compare the i8 to the Porsche 911 4S, but I would venture to say its competition lies farther up the exotic food chain. The way people reacted when we parallel parked the BMW i8 on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills and pitched the doors up for photos, confirms that BMW has nailed the design. I’ve never gotten so many thumbs up while driving (and have been driving some cool cars in the past), people honking at us and non stop questions every time we stopped.
BMW i8 Test Drive And Review
White M6 Gran Coupé with Competition Package at 10:18
Yep agree here cause the i8 is not an exciting car, doesn't light the spark in me!!! Certainly I would be more interested in the first drive of the new M3/M4, those 2 cars make me excited like a kid going to a candy shop!!
EnI
Piston Pioneer
Yep, very interesting ... MINI Cooper & BMW i8 sharing an engine ... And a gearbox as well?.
Btw ...
Yep this 6speed ZF tranny is over 10years old now, surprised they didn't use the 8speed ZF
DeDe
Subscriber
6-speed-auto
Mars1965
Premium
I thought the Mini uses a new gearbox from Aisin and not ZF.
Is there not a 9sp ZF available for transverse engines?
Anyway I have been very critical about the i8 but I now think this has been unjustified. I'm not sure it will appeal to everyone and for them there's Porsche and Lambo etc, but for those willing to accept performance which might not be headline worthy yet is still indecently fast by normal standards are getting the future of automobile today.
Though still not convinced by its exterior styling I can't wait to actually see one in person.
Anyway I have been very critical about the i8 but I now think this has been unjustified. I'm not sure it will appeal to everyone and for them there's Porsche and Lambo etc, but for those willing to accept performance which might not be headline worthy yet is still indecently fast by normal standards are getting the future of automobile today.
Though still not convinced by its exterior styling I can't wait to actually see one in person.
The i8 is M3 performance for 911 GT3 prices.
It solves a problem that people with this kind of money couldn't care less about.
It looks great. Stick a V8 in there and call it an M8, then we can talk.
In ten years, maybe even five, when technology has advanced further, the i8 will still look good, but the technology will be very dated.
It solves a problem that people with this kind of money couldn't care less about.
It looks great. Stick a V8 in there and call it an M8, then we can talk.
In ten years, maybe even five, when technology has advanced further, the i8 will still look good, but the technology will be very dated.
Sayyaaf
Autotechnik Ace
Isn't it the case with all cars of the past ? old technology but great looking.
^ An envious reaction by an R8 owner ... much?
Er....no. I don't think I'll be losing sleep over the i8.
BMW had me for ten years but sadly they lost me when they had nothing to offer when I was ready to move into super car territory. They still don't.
As good looking as the i8 is; As technologically advanced as the i8 is, BMW have solved a problem that IMHO didn't exist. An economical sports car? Who cares? An economical city car? GREAT!!
I want a powerful ICE with fabulous noise powering my pride and joy. Porsche can manage it with the 911. Audi can manage it with the R8 V10. Mercedes-Benz can manage it with the SLS and in a few months the AMG GT. These three hypercars, LaFerrari, 918 Spyder, P1, use batteries to enhance the driving experience but not dominate it. They still rely mainly on a NA V12, NA V8 and V8 twin-turbo. Why couldn't BMW offer a V8 twin-turbo or at least an I6? A three-cylinder?!! Sod that!
Whilst BMW are happy to fulfil every single niche with endless Gran Tourers and SUVs, they're still neglecting the top end of the spectrum. Maybe that will come in 2016 with this M Concept Scott has alluded to.
Not to the extent the i8 will age. Battery and hybrid systems are progressing so fast. Look at how phones are changing year on year.
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BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, abbreviated as BMW is a German multinational
manufacturer of luxury vehicles and motorcycles headquartered in Munich, Bavaria, Germany.
The company was founded in 1916 as a manufacturer of aircraft engines, which it produced
from 1917 to 1918 and again from 1933 to 1945.
