Review
BMW i8
The BMW i8 is a model for a new generation of plug-in hybrid sports cars. The i8 combines a handsome and futuristic design with efficiency, sporty performance and sustainability. We went out and discovered that there is also a green future for the sports car.
Plug-in hybrid
The BMW i8 is available in one engine version from 142,000 euros. It is a plug-in hybrid with a three-cylinder petrol engine combined with a hybrid synchronous electric motor. The petrol engine has a displacement of 1.5 liters with a power of 231 hp and a maximum torque of 320 Nm. Power from the petrol engine is transmitted to the rear wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. The electric motor delivers a power of 131 hp and a maximum torque of 250 Nm. The power of the electric motor is transmitted to the front wheels via a two-speed automatic transmission. The system power is 362 hp and the i8 shoots from 0-100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds. The top speed is limited to 250 km/h or up to 120 km/h in the case of pure electric mode. In hybrid mode, the sports car is transformed into an all-wheel drive vehicle that really sticks to the road.
The BMW i8 is equipped with a lithium-ion high-voltage battery. This can be charged when stationary via a conventional socket, with the BMW i Wallbox or at public charging stations. Fully charged, the i8 has a driving range of 37 kilometers on pure electric power.
Design
Personally, we think the i8 is a very well-designed car. The car attracted a lot of attention during our test drive. Viewed from most angles, the i8 looks sporty and even a bit futuristic. The gull-wing doors that open upwards only add to the i8’s almost extravagant appearance. The streamlined cavities at the back also look very original.
Interior
In the interior you take a seat in lightweight sports seats in which you lie down a little, as you should in a true sports car. It does take some practice to sit elegantly in the car. Once seated, the car feels like a glove. You might not expect it, but you can easily close the gull-wing doors, even from the previously lying position, thanks to a well-placed handle. It remains an original touch to equip this sports car with gull-wing doors.
Driving experience
Completely in line with the rest of the car, the driving experience in the BMW i8 is authentic and unique. Due to the combination of the petrol engine and the electric motor, the i8 immediately has power available and can shoot across the road like a rocket. You barely have to touch the gas before the i8 launches enthusiastically. It can provide more than impressive performance figures, including reaching 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds. In sport mode you activate the combustion and electric motor. The response to the throttle is more direct, the shift times are shorter and the steering wheel and chassis get an extra sporty setting. The only thing left to discuss is the sound. A three-cylinder does not sound organically super sporty. The best pieces are therefore amplified through the speakers.
You can switch the i8 to purely electric mode at the touch of a button. In this mode, the i8 is powered solely by the electric motor and you have a theoretical range of 37 km. This doesn’t seem like much, I hear you think, but for everyday driving this is certainly more than sufficient. It must also be said that we had the feeling that the i8 quickly regains electric range when driving with the combustion engine switched on. Driving in the city in pure electric mode is a nice experience. At speeds up to 30 to 50 km/h you hear virtually no driving noise, except for a soft turbine sound, so that pedestrians and cyclists can also hear the car approaching. Due to its striking appearance, it naturally attracts attention. If you go faster, you will hear rolling and wind noises.
Plume weight
For a hybrid sports car, it is essential to ensure that the weight is kept as low as possible. A low weight ensures better performance in terms of acceleration, agility and efficiency. The i8 is made based on an intelligent lightweight construction. The i8 weighs 1,485 kg by choosing a mix of lightweight materials such as aluminum, carbon and high-end plastic. Another advantage of using plastic for the body is that there are usually no dents in minor collisions, unlike a metal body. If a section of the bodywork does need to be replaced, this can be done quickly and efficiently.
Conclusion
The BMW i8 is a sports car that will always attract attention. The car looks strikingly handsome and futuristic thanks to its beautiful lines both at the front and at the back. In terms of driving experience, you get a sports car that has a lot of power, steers precisely and sticks to the road. In electric mode you can move almost silently, even up to a top speed of 120 km/h.
Johan De Haes
Test driver
