First Look: 2015 BMW i8

Greg Carloss is back from the future where he got a First Look at the forward-thinking BMW i8.

[DigitalYojimbo]

Since when was awd synonymous with bmw ? Thought that was audi/subie realm.

[julzmax]

So it's a hybrid for the Hollywood type?

[masterjk]

What is the name of the song that was being played through out the segment ?

[craigweb]

If I ever win the lottery, it would either be this or the F-Type.

[redxsage]

It's amazing how no one seems to point out the issues the *BMW **_i8_* has at all.  Maybe it's the styling _(it is _*_VERY_*_ pretty)_.  Maybe it's the *BMW* logo _(that has a lot of history behind it)_.  Maybe it's the fact it costs around $800, 000 less than certain hybrid Supercars, but still delivers around 90% of their performance _(for straight line runs)_.

The problem is, you only get that performance for a very, very, short time.  That is because the battery pack is a mere 7.1 kWh.  Once it peters out, and you are running gasoline only, performance takes a nosedive, but is still just barely ahead of *Toyota Prius* territory. When running electric only, this car barely keeps even with a *Chevrolet Spark EV* at 0-60, or its own stablemate, the *BMW **_i3_*.

And why does that car have a 22 kWh battery pack, more than three times the size, when it costs 1/3rd as much?  Shouldn't it be the other way around?  Seriously... If the *BMW **_i8_* had a 66 kWh battery pack, it wouldn't need the turbocharged 3-Cylinder, would have greater range, and would be faster for longer amounts of time. 

Naturally, petrolheads will see things the opposite way, and wish the battery pack and electric motor were not there, and the car had a larger fuel tank with a 3.0 liter turbocharged six cylinder instead.

*BMW* took two half measures and ended up with a quarter of the potential as a result, either way.

[schxn]

Although looks better and is more fuel efficient, the NSX will have better preformance.

[jtafoya]

Tesla killer? Idk yet. Perfect 50/50 weight distribution for superior handling and performance that's why BMWs are one of the best handling cars in the world.

[walidzein]

i think they were drunk when they priced the i8

[senorgato]

Amazing tech.  Hideous design.  Ridiculous price. 

[weirdshibainu]

Expensive? Sure, but look at the tech and styling.Tesla killer? Maybe. The big advantage BMW will have, is a nationwide dealer network. Think back to the motorcycles of the 70s. The Europeans owned motocross with bultaco, montessa, husqvarna, maico, etc. All great machines, hampered by a small dealer network. When the Japanese got into motocross, there bikes weren't as good, but good enough, but having a well funded and robust dealer network doomed the smaller boutique euro bikes. Within just a few years, the Japanese owned the market.

[pronderk]

How does an electric motor have horsepower, I don't care what you say electric motors cannot have horsepower!

[weirdshibainu]

Expensive? Sure, but look at the tech and styling.Tesla killer? Maybe. The big advantage BMW will have, is a nationwide dealer network. Think back to the motorcycles of the 70s. The Europeans owned motocross with bultaco, montessa, husqvarna, maico, etc. All great machines, hampered by a small dealer network. When the Japanese got into motocross, there bikes weren't as good, but good enough, but having a well funded and robust dealer network doomed the smaller boutique euro bikes. Within just a few years, the Japanese owned the market.