Introduction

The BMW i8 represents a new way of thinking for the German company. Here is a high-performance, mid-engined supercar… that’s powered by a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder engine, and which costs more than £100,000, thanks to the liberal use of carbon in its construction. What makes the i8 perform so well, and also what makes it so intriguing, is that it is a plug-in hybrid part-electric vehicle, capable of running in zero-emissions mode for extended periods. That also makes it somewhat unique in the automotive world, as there are not any true, direct rivals for this other-worldly BMW. The all-wheel-drive i8 comes as one model alone, offering buyers the choice of selecting from a few interior colour schemes, a handful of body paints, and a few optional extras.

Did you know? While the production version came to market in 2014, the i8 can trace its roots back to the Vision Efficient Dynamics concept car of 2009.

Verdict | Design | Interior | Technology | Performance | Safety | Specs | Running Costs | Pricing

Verdict: ★★★★★★★★★☆ (9.5/10)

This is the future of performance car motoring. Sure, if you get hyper-picky, the BMW i8 isn’t flawless; it is hopelessly impractical thanks to one of its defining features, the butterfly doors, and for a car with a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder engine closely related to that in the MINI Cooper, its asking price might seem utterly exorbitant. And yes, the highly att...