TALKING CARS WITH CONSUMER REPORTS #48: BMW I8

EV Channels Review

The BMW i8 is presented as a groundbreaking vehicle that shatters the conventional image of electric and plug-in hybrid cars, offering a stylish and high-tech alternative to traditional exotics. The review highlights its complex, dual-powertrain system, combining a 129 hp electric motor in the front with a 1.5L turbocharged 3-cylinder engine and an 11 hp electric motor in the rear, paired with a 6-speed automatic. While its performance numbers are comparable to some high-performance EVs, the driving experience is described as more conventional, with distinct gears and synthesized engine sounds that contribute to a surprisingly robust auditory experience. The i8 is praised for its exotic looks, extensive use of carbon fiber for a lightweight chassis (around 3,300 lbs), and its unintimidating, civilized driving demeanor, making it far more approachable than traditional supercars. However, its high price point (starting around $137,000) positions it as a "plaything for the rich" and a "feel-good car" rather than a mass-market solution, with real-world MPG heavily dependent on charging habits, yielding around 38-39 MPG in testing. Despite its high cost and unique styling that may polarize opinions, the i8 is lauded as an audacious statement piece that successfully raises the profile and desirability of electric and hybrid technology.