The BMW i8 is the most significant and forward thinking car on the road today – it is daring, exotic and state of the art in every way! Many car manufacturers have flirted with the hybrid market, but few have done so as confidently as BMW. With incredible performance, impressive economy and an outlandish design usually seen in the concept car sphere, the i8 drops jaws wherever it goes. In our BMW i8 review, we’re going to let you in on you five reasons we love this carbon fibre infused hunk of innovative brilliance. And five reasons you should too.
- Impressive performance
- Mind-blowing running costs
- Very environmentally friendly
- Outlandish exterior design
- Brilliant Interior
Image Source: Kevin Gimbel
Impressive performance
In terms of raw speed, the performance this car delivers is nothing short of excellent. Power is generated by a 1.5-litre turbo three-cylinder engine driving the back wheels and a 129 bhp electric motor driving the fronts – producing 357hp combined. In a world of 900+ horsepower supercars, this may seem modest – but the BMW i8 will propel from 0-60 in a blistering 4.2 seconds.
In eco-pro or comfort mode, the i8 will try to run using solely electric power, which it can do for about 22 miles, at speeds of up to 45 mph. Acceleration is comparable to that of a hot hatch, which isn’t bad considering the fuel money you’ll save! Slotting the gear lever to the left transforms the BMW i8 into a full-bore supercar as the petrol engine starts to run – a joyous moment for any speed fan! The sensation of muscular acceleration is seamless thanks to a six-speed automatic gearbox – making pushing the pedal a legitimately fun experience!
Mind-blowing running costs
Performance stats become even more impressive when coupled with BMW’s official economy figures of 135 mpg. If you use the i8 for short journeys with access to a charging point, you could save thousands at the pumps – since you’ll only require the car’s electric motor to power you. It isn’t only fuel you’ll save money on, either – as unlike rivals the Audi R8 and Porsche 911, the BMW i8 is exempt from road tax and qualifies for just five per cent benefit-in-kind tax until 2016.
Very environmentally friendly
Not only will the BMW i8 help decrease the impact of driving costs on your wallet, but it also has very little impact on the environment. Its CO2 emissions are unheard of for a sportscar with such impressive performance stats, at just 49g/km – low enough to make any environmentalist’s heart swell.
Image Source: Ben Snooks
Outlandish exterior
If you’re looking for something with kerb appeal, you can’t do much better than the BMW i8. Not many cars can draw the kind of attention this can – with its elegant curves, spaceship-style rear lights and low slung frame, there is nothing else on the road like it. Opening the BMW’s jaw-dropping gullwing doors alone is enough to stop camera-phone wielding car fans in their tracks – so if you own this car, you need to get used to being the centre of attention.
Brilliant interior
Stepping into the cabin is a familiar experience, where you’re greeted by all the quality controls and fittings you’d expect from a top of the range BMW. The dashboard is dominated by two 8.8-inch HD displays, surrounded by beautifully finished fittings and high-quality materials – many of which are recycled and sustainably sourced. Sat-nav, a DAB radio, Bluetooth and heated seats all feature inside the cabin – while buyers can upgrade the BMW i8 specs by opting for either the £1,150 Carpo or £2,150 Halo interior ‘world’ finishes.
All this brilliance doesn’t come cheap, though, with the BMW i8 price nearing six-figures at £99,845 – although it’s not hard to argue that this is good value for money considering what you get in exchange for your hard-earned cash. If you fancy a BMW of your own, the Car Loan Warehouse can help. We’re experts in BMW finance and could help you get behind the wheel of the car you want at a rate you can afford. Try our online car finance calculator now – just select how much you want to borrow and how long for. It’s simple!
