How the BMW i8 made hybrids cool and fun!

Hybrid cars had been initially conceptualized to enhance fuel economy, while perhaps even trying and improve a few performance aspects as well. While several Japanese automakers have been rolling out highly efficient hybrid cars for a long time, German brands haven’t focused so much on this front. However, most of the hybrid models are rarely fun to drive (if ever) – the same cannot be said for BMW cars.

Speaking of which, BMW has long been recognized as a leading name in the world of automobiles, especially when we talk about their high-performance cars. Therefore, when the BMW i8 was launched in 2014, fans of the Bavarian brand and even prospective buyers of performance cars, got really excited. Even though the BMW i8 Hybrid has now been discontinued, it still remains one of the best BMW sports cars. The BMW i8 plug-in hybrid also forced many to reimagine their perception of a hybrid car.

Design of the BMW i8 leaves little to be desired

Sports cars obviously tend to boast an alluring design language when compared to traditional family cars. Of course, the BMW i8 is no different on this front, despite it being a plug-in hybrid. The BMW i8’s styling emphasizes a sleek, low-slung, and low-drag design philosophy – the result of BMW’s so-called “LifeDrive” architecture. Whether it is the Coupe or the Roadster, the general design is chic and undeniably contemporary.

The extremely low nose of the BMW i8 is aggressive and apt for a sports car, with sleek LED headlights and BMW’s signature ‘kidney’ grille really making its stance up front. Of course, compared to traditional combustion-only BMW models, the front grille of the i8 hybrid is designed to be more aerodynamically efficient. Even the carbon-fiber hood has its own unique design with a distinct central section.

The beautiful exterior of the BMW i8 also highlights this plug-in hybrid’s impressively low 0.26 coefficient of drag. There are also special air curtains and flaps to control airflow, which allowed designers of the i8 to sketch a sporty design that will eventually stand the test of time and will be fondly looked back upon. The swanky alloy wheels look nice, but they are slimmer than those of regular sports cars – enhancing fuel efficiency.

One of the key identities of a high-end sports car is a stylish swing-wing door, which the BMW i8 hybrid features. The i8’s body mainly comprises carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP), not only making it lighter but also stronger. The rear of the BMW i8 is svelte and ultra-modern, with U-shaped LED taillights, and extended side curtains to improve airflow. There are many sharp cuts & creases all over the exterior, which have been designed to reduce aerodynamic drag.

Interior of the BMW i8 continues to feel modern and sporty

While the exterior of the BMW i8 comes across as contemporary and urbane, its interior pushes sporty angles, multiple trim & material types over safer design choices. The quality of materials is fairly premium, with plenty of soft touchpoints and a cocooned cockpit feel. The i8’s cabin also gets plenty of blue hues, signifying the car’s hybrid nature, along with a driver-oriented cabin design that makes driving this BMW a pleasurable experience.

The BMW i8 is designated a “2+2-seater”, which means that the front seats are fantastic, but the rear ones are barely useable. Despite its relatively long 2.8-meter wheelbase, the technical underpinnings of the i8 mean that the internal packaging is more compact than the wheelbase leads one to believe. This means the rear two ‘seats’ are mostly unusable. On the other hand, the electrically adjustable sports seats at the front are excellent.

How are the features of the BMW i8?

The BMW i8 plug-in hybrid can be equipped with features such as 20-inch alloy wheels, BMW Display Key, Dynamic Damper Control, BMW Laserlight with BMW Selective Beam, eDrive button, Driving Experience Control switch with five driving modes, an 8.8-inch infotainment display with iDrive, a Harman Kardon hi-fi speaker system, a fully-digital driver’s display, BMW Connected with Open Mobility Cloud platform, and a head-up display.

The BMW i8 also features safety equipment like Cornering Brake Control (CBC), Dynamic Brake Control (DBC), Brake Drying & Brake Fading Compensation functions, Active Differential Brake (ADB-x), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) with torque pre-control and E-Traction, three-point inertia-reel seatbelts, and a barrage of airbags.

Powertrain and performance of the BMW i8

The BMW i8 plug-in hybrid comes with a 1.5-liter three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine mated to a synchronous electric motor. Combined, the facelifted BMW i8 possesses up to 374 hp, which can propel this plug-in hybrid sports car from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds and up to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h.

The rear-wheel-drive drivetrain is matched to a 6-speed Steptronic automatic gearbox. The BMW i8 Coupe has a fuel economy of 52.6 km/l (1.9 L/100 km), and the i8 Roadster gets a slightly worse 47.6 km/l (2.1 L/100 km). Also, the electric range of the BMW i8 is around 55 kilometers.

Is the BMW i8 really worth it?

Given that it is the Bavarian brand’s first-ever production plug-in hybrid sports car, the BMW i8 really is one for the history books. Whether you have/want the pre-facelift or post-facelift model, the i8 will always be a car that will be remembered. Even though the BMW i8 is not the quickest hybrid sports car in the world – going from 0-100 km/h in around 4.4 seconds – it is still a proper BMW.

FAQs

What are the key features of the BMW i8?

A: The key features of the BMW i8 are BMW Display Key, Dynamic Damper Control, BMW Laserlight with BMW Selective Beam, Driving Experience Control, BMW Connected with Open Mobility Cloud platform, and Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) with torque pre-control and E-Traction.

How does the BMW i8's hybrid drivetrain work?

A: The BMW i8 utilizes a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine that is further boosted by a 143-horsepower electric motor, along with an 11.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

What is the top speed of the BMW i8?

A: The top speed of the BMW i8 is electronically limited to 250 km/h.

Can you explain the different driving modes available in the BMW i8?

A: The BMW i8 features “Driving Experience Control” with five individual driving modes that include Comfort, Sport and Eco Pro in the hybrid setting, along with Comfort and Eco Pro modes in the all-electric setting.

What is the electric-only range of the BMW i8?

A: The electric-only range of the BMW i8 is 55 kilometers.