The BMW I8 Car, a plug-in hybrid sports car, has captivated enthusiasts and critics alike since its release. Described by some as “pure heroin” behind the wheel, the i8 delivers a driving experience that’s both exhilarating and environmentally conscious. This article delves into what makes the i8 a standout vehicle, exploring its performance, design, technology, and place in the evolving landscape of electric and hybrid automobiles.
The initial impression of the i8 is often visceral. The surge of 420 foot-pounds of torque presses you firmly into the gray leather seats, making acceleration feel almost instinctive. Overtaking on the road becomes effortless, and the combination of rapid acceleration and precise handling can transform even the most composed driver into a giddy enthusiast. The i8’s appeal extends beyond just performance; it’s a car that commands attention and evokes strong reactions. As one anecdote recounts, the i8’s striking presence drew admiration from diverse onlookers, from a young admirer at a traffic light to an older gentleman expressing sheer awe. This widespread appeal suggests the i8 transcends typical automotive demographics, uniting people across different backgrounds in appreciation of its innovative design and technology.
For a week, experiencing the i8 firsthand offered a unique perspective on its daily driving dynamics. While the occasional roar of a traditional sports car or the assertive maneuver of a luxury sedan might cross paths, the overall experience of driving the i8 is overwhelmingly positive. It’s a vehicle that seems to dissipate road rage, embodying a refined demeanor in urban settings while unleashing its sporty prowess on winding roads. The i8 manages to be both a sophisticated city car and a dynamic performer, offering a versatile driving experience.
However, the i8’s reception isn’t universally enthusiastic, particularly within the electric vehicle community. Interestingly, drivers of Tesla Model S vehicles often seemed to deliberately avoid acknowledging the i8’s presence. While owners of other electric vehicles like the BMW i3 and Chevrolet Volt shared nods of camaraderie, this silent treatment from Tesla drivers hinted at an underlying tension. Tesla, having pioneered the eco-supercar concept, has long held a dominant position in the electric vehicle market. The arrival of the i8 arguably marks a significant challenge to Tesla’s reign, potentially explaining this subtle rivalry. Next to the fresh and futuristic design of the BMW i8, the Tesla Model S, while still impressive, might appear to some as slightly less cutting-edge in terms of visual impact and novelty.
A BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car.
The automotive industry has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years, and the BMW i8 stands as a testament to this evolution. Just over a decade ago, around 2005, German automakers were still largely focused on diesel technology, emphasizing its superiority over early hybrid systems. Plug-in electric vehicles were not yet a central part of their strategic planning. However, today, BMW is deeply invested in electrification, a shift largely influenced by policy changes, particularly in California.
California’s role in pushing the automotive industry towards electrification cannot be overstated. Starting with severe smog issues in the 1940s, the state faced a critical air quality crisis. Initially mistaken for chemical warfare, the smog was eventually identified as primarily caused by vehicle emissions. As Los Angeles and other Californian cities grappled with air pollution from the 1950s through the 1970s, global automakers were slow to respond. It wasn’t until the California Air Resources Board (CARB) took decisive action in the 1970s, mandating significant reductions in automotive emissions, that the industry began to shift. By 1990, CARB declared electric vehicles as the long-term solution for zero emissions. The mandate was clear: to access California’s lucrative car market, automakers had to produce and sell electric vehicles or financially support others who did. This “ZEV rule” set ambitious targets for electric vehicle sales in California, aiming for 2% by 1998 and 10% by 2003.
For Detroit automakers, the ZEV rule was a forceful regulatory measure. However, this “technology-forcing” policy spurred global automakers to innovate towards cleaner technologies. Despite facing legal challenges, technological setbacks, and resistance, California’s commitment to innovation persisted. The mid-2000s marked a turning point with the advent of improved lithium-ion batteries – smaller, lighter, safer, and more powerful. This technological advancement paved the way for a new wave of electric cars from manufacturers like Mitsubishi, Subaru, Nissan, and Tesla. The revitalization of California’s ZEV rule, despite initial missed targets, set the stage for the resurgence of electric vehicles across the US, Japan, and China.
Tesla emerged as a pioneer in creating desirable electric vehicles, arguably producing the best sports sedan in the electric category. For years, Tesla dominated the eco-supercar niche, becoming the preferred choice for environmentally conscious affluent individuals, tech enthusiasts, and particularly those in Silicon Valley. During this period, German manufacturers largely remained on the sidelines of the electric vehicle race.
However, BMW’s i-series, launched in Germany in late 2013, unequivocally signaled Germany’s entry into the electrification race. While Porsche offers plug-in hybrid versions of its Panamera and Cayenne, the BMW i8 is arguably the first true competitor to Tesla’s Model S in the eco-chic segment.
Like Tesla’s initial models, the BMW i8 targets affluent, environmentally aware performance enthusiasts. With a manufacturer’s suggested retail price around $137,000 (compared to the i3 at $42,200 and the Tesla Model S starting at $75,000), the i8 is clearly positioned as a luxury vehicle. The environmental nod is largely symbolic; neither the i8 nor the Model S is a mass-market solution to global warming or urban air pollution given their price points. The i8’s cost is a significant multiple of the per capita GDP in many countries, highlighting its status as a vehicle of conspicuous consumption. However, these high-end electric vehicles play a crucial role in driving technological innovation, leveraging the purchasing power of the affluent to pioneer technologies that will eventually trickle down to more affordable vehicles.
Both the Tesla Model S and the BMW i8 offer a blend of performance and environmental consciousness, albeit in different ways. The Tesla excels in practicality, offering superior cargo space and seating, which contributed to it being named Motor Trend’s 2013 Car of the Year and receiving top scores from Consumer Reports. Its aluminum construction, all-electric drivetrain, and spacious interior accommodating up to seven (with optional rear jump seats) make it remarkably versatile. The Tesla boasts both a generous trunk and a “frunk” (front trunk), maximizing storage. Its energy efficiency is significantly better than most hybrids, with a range of around 270 miles on a single charge, largely mitigating range anxiety for daily use. However, long journeys require planning around Tesla’s Supercharger network, and charging times at these stations can be around an hour. Charging at standard outlets can take days, highlighting a potential limitation for long-distance travel without access to Superchargers.
The BMW i8, in contrast, offers a different approach to hybrid technology. It can run for about 15 miles on electric power alone but also features multiple gasoline-electric hybrid modes (eco-pro, comfort, and sport), extending its range by several hundred miles using a combustion engine. It achieves around 28 miles per gallon when running on gasoline, with the convenience of quick refueling at gas stations. However, the i8 is essentially a two-seater. While it’s possible to squeeze passengers into the rear seats for short trips, it’s primarily designed for two occupants and offers virtually no trunk space. In terms of practicality and passenger utility, the Tesla Model S is clearly superior. The i8 prioritizes sporty design and performance over spaciousness, a trade-off inherent in its low-slung sports car form factor. Environmentally, Tesla arguably has an edge with its capability to run solely on renewable energy, while the i8 offers the convenience of gasoline for extended range and quicker refueling.
When it comes to power, performance, and the overall driving experience, the comparison is nuanced. The BMW i8 combines a 131-horsepower electric motor with a 231-horsepower turbocharged three-cylinder engine, resulting in a combined output of approximately 360 horsepower. While substantial, especially compared to standard cars like a Honda Civic (around 143 horsepower), it pales in comparison to the Tesla Model S P85D, which delivers a staggering 691 horsepower. However, the i8’s lighter weight, around 3,500 pounds compared to the P85D’s 5,000 pounds, narrows this gap. The Tesla still outperforms the i8 in 0-60 mph acceleration, achieving it in about 3.2 seconds versus the i8’s 4.2 seconds.
Despite the raw power advantage of the Tesla in straight-line acceleration, the BMW i8 excels in other aspects of driving dynamics. The i8 benefits from an exceptionally low center of gravity, the lowest of any production BMW, and boasts superior traction control. This combination results in exceptional handling and cornering ability, making the i8 feel agile and nimble, especially compared to the heavier Tesla Model S. While the i8 is wider than a Porsche 911, it feels significantly more lithe and responsive than the Tesla.
Furthermore, the auditory experience differs significantly between the two cars. Both can operate silently in electric mode, reducing noise pollution in urban environments. However, when accelerating, the Tesla provides a near-silent surge of power, while the i8’s internal combustion engine produces a rich, baritone rumble. BMW designers intentionally enhanced the i8’s engine notes, even synthetically amplifying them through the car’s audio system to heighten the driving experience.
Inside, the Tesla features a minimalist dashboard dominated by a large touchscreen interface, resembling a giant iPad, controlling most vehicle functions. The BMW i8 adopts a more traditional approach with a combination of screens, knobs, and buttons, ergonomically designed for intuitive operation without requiring the driver to take their eyes off the road. A head-up display in the i8 projects essential information like navigation and media onto the windshield, further enhancing driver focus and convenience. Overall, the BMW i8 offers a more refined aesthetic and tactile driving experience in terms of interior design and handling.
While the Tesla Model S outperforms the i8 in key metrics such as 0-60 mph acceleration, passenger and cargo space, electric range, and horsepower, the BMW i8 holds its own and even surpasses the Tesla in other critical areas. The base price of the BMW i8 is higher at $137,000 compared to the Tesla P85D at around $105,000, suggesting a premium for the i8’s unique attributes.
However, the higher price of the i8 is arguably justified by its unparalleled “sex appeal.” The BMW i8’s design is undeniably striking, often likened to a futuristic fusion of a DeLorean, the Millennium Falcon, and a mako shark. Its scissor doors, which rise dramatically, are a spectacle in themselves, drawing attention and admiration wherever it goes. This visual drama and head-turning design give the i8 an edge in terms of sheer desirability and public allure, something the more understated Tesla Model S cannot match.
Ultimately, the BMW i8 and Tesla Model S are distinct vehicles catering to different priorities. As Ben Tesfaye, a Tesla P85D owner and operator of a large EV charging facility, aptly put it: “For rolling up to the club, I like the i8. But I have two kids and their friends in the back, so I’ll keep my Tesla.” The i8 is less practical for families but excels as a statement vehicle, while the Tesla offers more everyday usability and space.
The electric vehicle market is rapidly expanding, promising to make comparisons between specific models like the i8 and Model S increasingly simplistic and eventually obsolete. The “Great Race” for the electric car of the future is intensifying, with more companies and countries joining, from established automakers to tech giants like Apple and emerging Chinese manufacturers. Infrastructure is also evolving, with companies expanding into EV charging stations, recognizing the growing value proposition of electric mobility. Even traditional German automakers, initially resistant to electric vehicles, are now fully embracing electrification.
Reflecting on the broader shift towards electric vehicles, oil expert Dan Yergin noted the historical parallel to Henry Ford’s ascendancy over early electric cars a century ago, a turning point favoring gasoline. Today, electric cars are making a strong comeback. The BMW i8, as Yergin observed, is a “breakthrough” not just technologically but perceptually. It demonstrates that an electric vehicle can be aspirational and desirable, changing long-held perceptions about EVs.
The i8’s emergence is also a testament to the impact of sustained policy initiatives, particularly those originating from California, that have consistently pushed the automotive industry towards innovation. While widespread EV adoption may still be some time away, pending price parity and infrastructure development, the direction is clear. The BMW i8, alongside the Tesla Model S, represents a significant step forward, showcasing that electric vehicles can be both exciting and high-performing. The competition between innovators like BMW and Tesla is driving progress, bringing us closer to a future where cars are increasingly fun, clean, electric, and potentially even self-driving.
