i8 Leaked? BMW i8 Spyder

[Centurion]

Especially this photograph leaves me appreciating the i8 al...

I had an i8 as a loaner for a couple of days. The hybrid drivetrain and low centre of gravity makes is very smooth, easy and fluid to drive.

Where it makes it difficult to justify the 911 CS price tag is in it's purpose. As a GT the boot is tiny, getting in and out can feel like hard work and on wet days the threshold will stain your trousers.

As a sportscar the i8 handles well and slice through corners in a drama free manner. However its not exciting enough for the Hugh asking price and very steep depreciation.

As an electric car it doesn't have the range of a Tesla.

Consider it a jack of all trades but a master of none. The biggest beneficiaries of the i8 were self employed and business owners who were happy to lease a tax efficient sports car with billionaire doors.

On the positive side, it look like sci-fi prop and I can imagine the Spider in orange will be a cheap gem in a few year.

 

[mihc]

This car will be like Z4M and Z8. Sadly with no successor...

 

[chonkoa]

The problem with the I8 is very simple: lawn mower engine. The market(US and Canada) could not get past the 3 cylinder engine, there were fewer people willing to accept a 3 cylinder engine than those rejecting it. The price point did not help as well.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

This car was produced in 20500 units for 6 years. This makes app 3400 units per year. The initial plan was for 3000 units per year, which makes this car by no means a flop. And the first year it was an absolut hit and a must have, but then the Tesla Model S killed its appeal.

 

[Matski]

I've always loved the idea and looks of the i8. I think it's a well conceived, and in many respects, very well executed product (not so much in certain areas).

I can understand however, why the appeal is very limited in the face of proven, established competitors, and the thing that left it in that situation was the price and the lack of a true high (higher) performance variant.

The fact Alpina looked at doing one, and didn't, is saddening.

 

[Centurion]

This makes app 3400 units per year. The initial plan was for 3000 units per year,

You can't flop if you set low expectations.

 

[martinbo]

You can't flop if you set low expectations.

The i8 was intended to be several things but never a volume seller, given its unique construction. The i8 was brought about to be a showcase for a futuristic and alternative take on sporting motoring and its equally progressive design echoed the spirit in which it was conceived.

 

[Centurion]

The i8 was intended to be several things but never a volum...

It and the i3 were certainly bold and commited actions by BMW in exploring alternative drivetrains, interior packaging and materials.

I hope that bamboo and no-leather upholstery will be options for thr iNext.

 

[Matski]

It and the i3 were certainly bold and commited actions by...

First time I sat in an i3, it felt very 'different', but at the same time, it felt very familiar - I was impressed. I've sat in 2 different i8's, and while the feeling should be similar, I was left with the impression both times that the interior was punching well below the sticker price.

 

[chonkoa]

You can't flop if you set low expectations.

Absolutely

 

[dalab]

This car was produced in 20500 units for 6 yea...

Well said, and in the case of i3 I remember that the goal was 30,000 units a year, and today 6 years (or 7) later, when it is normal to decline, is selling 40,000 a year, both cases of success

 

[SCOTT27]

Still Looking Fresh.

All Black i8 Roadster.

 

[Rolf]

The i8 still looks fresh and modern and is a timeless design. It looks especially good in roadster form and this copper gold colour brings the best out of it.

 

[martinbo]

A future classic - of this I’m certain.

 

[SCOTT27]

I am hearing that i8 is proving popular on the pre-owned circuit as its relevance in today’s market becomes ever more apparent. Still a head turner too. A concept that was and remains ahead of its time.

 

[bmwblog]

I am hearing that i8 is proving popular on the pre-owned circuit as its relevance in today’s market becomes ever more apparent. Still a head turner too. A concept that was and remains ahead of its time.

It's only popular because the prices are quite affordable. I know someone who pickup an i8 with low miles for $50K. The i8 is still the perfect car. I just wished it has a different engine

 

[SCOTT27]

It's only popular because the prices are quite affordable. I know someone who pickup an i8 with low miles for $50K. The i8 is still the perfect car. I just wished it has a different engine

Exactly.

 

[bmwblog]

BMW I16 (iM) - The Supercar That Almost Made It

The BMW iM (I16) was more than an i8 successor though. It was supposed to be BMW's future supercar

www.bmwblog.com

The i8 successor that almost made it

 

[SKY]

The i8 successor that almost made it

Impressive coverage by BMW Blog of this amazing book. Thanks for the effort!

About the car itselft… It looks like a cheap attempt on BMW’s part. The M concept looked spectacular. The black renders here not that much.

Not sure what is the problem internally but it looks like BMW simply has no interest in building a supercar like Audi or MB. If this was the closest the company came to an M1 successor, then what a shame.

 

[dalab]

The i8 successor that almost made it

They already have too many cars in their museums and exhibitions that "almost made it", it's time for them to "made it" before our lives pass us by.