The term ‘hybrid’ is riddled with preconceptions in the automotive world. It’s become synonymous with righteous environmentalists and is regarded by traditionalists as a ‘dirty word’ when, in fact, it strives to represent sustainable, unadulterated motoring. But in the words of American singer-songwriter Bob Dylan ‘times they are a-changin’ and soon enough, the thunderous V12 and V8-powered machines we’ve come to know and love will be relegated to museums and annual rallies. There is, however, light in this dearth of motoring delight and it comes in the form of BMW’s flagship i8 plug-in hybrid.
My first glimpse of the i8 came as I disembarked a chartered jet on a deserted runway in the desolately beautiful surroundings of the Scottish Highlands. The i8’s radical and futuristic appearance contrasted vividly with the pre-historic landscape surrounding it, but didn’t clash – far from it. Once seated comfortably in the leather-clad cabin, it was time to hit the open road – or so I thought. It wasn’t long before I met with a busy town centre, a disproportionate amount of farm traffic and a collection of speed limits all on the wrong side of 50mph.
As it turned out, these unwelcome obstacles presented the perfect opportunity to test one of the i8’s three driving modes – ‘eDrive’. Here, the i8 sources power solely from its front-mounted electric motor, which produces 131hp and 320Nm of torque. Around town and at low speeds, the i8 surges between the lights and is as manageable as a VW Golf but a great deal quieter; the only soundtrack accompanying your drive is the electronic wheeze of the motor during enthusiastic acceleration. In this mode (and at this pace), the light steering and adequate pace make for a comfortable but undramatic driving experience.
Once things started to clear up, it was time to switch to ‘Comfort’ mode and introduce the i8’s party piece. In addition to the front-mounted electric motor, the i8 is backed up with a 1.5-litre turbo charged petrol unit in the middle, which produces a staggering 231hp, 320Nm of torque and will sound illegally familiar to a seasoned petrol head. The noise in the cabin with your foot to the floor is enough to make even the most fervent of tree-huggers weak at the knees.
In Comfort, the i8 switches between the electric and petrol powerplants, calling upon the combustion engine during heavy acceleration or at sustained speeds over 45mph. For everyday use, it offers a great deal of economy and driving pleasure but is somewhat let down by the momentary delay in introducing the petrol engine.
I quickly found out that this delay is easily remedied with a simple flick of the wrist, by engaging ‘Sport’ mode, here the i8 takes on an altogether different persona. If the glowing orange dials, firmer suspension and more tactile steering aren’t suggestive enough, then the power certainly is. It feels as if the i8 is running on adrenalin and it quickly becomes stiffer, tighter and impatient for you to test its top end. In an unlikely friendship, the power from both the front (electric) and middle (petrol) engines is combined, and the i8’s eagerness to climb through gears to an electronically limited 155mph and demonstrate its delicate agility in the corners is as much a revelation as it is a delight. The beautiful beast easily sees off 62mph in 4.4seconds and that speed, coupled with the humble 1.5-litre’s incredible sound, allows the i8 to offer on demand, unrestrained power and economical performance for the eco-conscious petrolhead.
Now, deep into the deserted Highland back roads, I briefly pulled over in a secluded layby to take stock. Within minutes, tourists and locals appeared from no-where, clamouring to ask questions and have their photograph taken with it. And it was the same story wherever we went; as a vehicle for head turning (if that’s your thing), nothing on the market compares. Even Lewis Hamilton driving down the King’s Road in a pink, drop-top Bugatti wouldn’t suck in stares as effectively as this does. The floating roof, sculpted aluminium body and dramatic vents that make up the exterior of the i8 are defined by function, as much as they are by form. This is not a car for the shy and retracted, it’s one that demands to be gazed at, questioned and challenged.
On the inside, however, the Germanic appetite for function is dominant, at the expense of quirk and peculiarity. The interior of the i8 is no more dramatic than that of a BMW 5-Series, save for the impressive digital dials, which alter depending on the selected drive mode. On the other hand, it’s an extremely comfortable, functional and well thought through cabin and it would be unfair to label it unimaginative when comparing it to the radical exterior. The upwards-opening doors (a cross between Lamborghini and Mercedes gullwing) are a novel addition and complement the car’s futuristic aesthetic, while the exposed carbon fibre around the doorframe reminds you that you’re entering something special. The model I tested was also equipped with ‘BMW i Blue’ seatbelts, which introduced a little spice to the leather-clad interior at a little over £300 as an optional extra.
With stiff competition from the likes of the Audi R8 and the benchmark Porsche 911, anyone would assume the i8 has some rather large shoes to fill. In reality, BMW’s £100,000 supercar surpasses them both, at least in terms of engineering magnificence; it’s unparalleled in that BMW, in its first attempt, has already shown signs of conquering the juxtaposition of the eco-sensitive supercar.
If you’re looking for an all-out, visceral driving experience, the established petrol-powered competition still have the upper hand. But with the i8 boasting a reported 135mpg and supercar performance figures, it’s a game changer and I defy anyone driving one to not break a smile. What this German manufacturer has achieved since it boldly showcased the i8 concept at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show, is nothing short of outstanding and its future endeavors will be eagerly anticipated. All things considered, it seems BMW hasn’t just rewritten the motoring rulebook – it’s digitalised it.
By Rory FH Smith
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