BMW i8 buyer’s guide
Plug-in hybrid supercar is a bargain on the used market
BMW has a reputation for building no-compromise cars, but when it unveiled the i8 concept in 2011, there were many who doubted the German brand would really put anything so outlandish into production.
Just three years later, however, we saw the road-ready i8 Coupé, which looked little different from that show car. With its futuristic design, cutting-edge technology and brilliant dynamics, the i8 was typically BMW, but this was a car with economy at its heart.
To that end, much of the available power came from a twin-turbo 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine tuned to give 228bhp. This drove the rear wheels, while the front wheels were powered by a 129bhp electric motor. The result was 357bhp, with CO2 emissions of just 49g/km and official fuel economy of more than 100mpg. Deeply impressive.
History
THE BMW i8 plug-in hybrid Coupé hit UK roads in July 2014, priced from £94,845 once the £5,000 Government grant had been deducted. There was one specification, with all cars featuring a 20Ah battery pack that allowed an electric range of up to 23 miles. Buyers could order an iWallbox charging system for just £315 (after a 75 per cent Government grant), which could charge the i8 from zero to 80 per cent in only two hours.
In January 2018 an upgraded i8 Coupé arrived, along with the i8 Roadster, costing £112,730 and £124,730 respectively. A new 34Ah battery pack gave an electric range of up to 33 miles and laser headlights joined the options list, at a hefty £5,100.
Which one?
ALL i8s are mechanically the same, aside from any updates already mentioned. Every one features an automatic transmission so it’s just a question of homing in on the best spec for your needs, and whether you want a Coupé or Roadster – bearing in mind the latter carries a significant price premium.
Predictably, all i8s get plenty of hi-tech and luxury kit, including adaptive cruise control, adaptive LED headlights, navigation, 20-inch alloy wheels, a head-up display, parking sensors front and rear, automatic lights and wipers, metallic paint and electrically adjustable heated front seats.
The options list isn’t all that extensive and consists mainly of different colours and finishes, but it’s worth pinning down what extras are fitted to any potential purchase; surround-view cameras and the upgraded Harman Kardon hi-fi are worth having.
Alternatives
THE i8’s closest rival is the Honda NSX, a petrol-electric supercar that costs more than the BMW; prices start at £100,000. The NSX has a twin-turbo V6 engine boosted by three electric motors, but only two seats; if you want more, the Tesla Model S provides
plenty of thrills with brilliant packaging, and prices of used examples start at £35,000.
There are also plenty of conventional petrol-engined alternatives, not least the Porsche 911, which is in plentiful supply, brilliantly built and available with a wide variety of body and transmission options. Alternatively you could opt for a Jaguar F-Type, Aston Martin Vantage or Audi R8, all of which come in coupé or convertible forms.
Verdict
BMW didn’t cut any corners when it was developing the i8, and it’s because of this absolute focus that it has no serious rivals. The engineering that went into its design, the way it drives, the available performance combined with minimal fuel consumption make the i8 an extremely desirable car.
Yes, you have to pay relatively heavily for the i8, yet it remains one of the most hightech cars to ever hit the road. But while the i8 is expensive to buy, running costs are reasonable considering the performance. Also, it’s proving to be reliable, with very few significant faults reported.