2016 BMW I8

When BMW released the i8, alongside its little sister, the i3 in 2014 they took the world by storm. Bursting onto the hybrid market with their usual flair and confidence, the i8 was hallowed as BMW first ‘supercar’ since the iconic M1 was released back in the late 70s. In fact the design is said to be traceable back to the M1 via the later M1 Homage concept car. Whether you regard the i8 as a true supercar or not (we don’t), you cannot argue with the audacity of the design, which is as stunning now as it was when it was launched. Today, the i8 still looks futuristic, but somehow manages to look classic at the same time. Those swan’s wing doors, the ‘unfinished’ buttress at the rear of the ‘c’ pillar, the lazer lights and low stance, all make the i8 look utterly different from anything else on the road. Designed around a carbon weave ‘tub’ structure – the same design as is used on hypercars such as the Aston Martin Valkyrie and the Maclaren 765LT – the i8 maybe a car from the past, but it still boasts technology that is up to the minute – in fact for many motor manufacturers it is still the future.

We spoke to the last of the Clarkson-era Top Gear Stigs, just after testing the i8 around the Dunsfold test track back in the day, and he was convinced that with better wheels and tyres – geared around performance rather than economy or range – would place the i8 right up there at the top of the leader board. The 0-60 speed may not look world beating – around 4.2 seconds – but the mid-range power and torque, coupled with the lack of weight – the i8 weighs in at under 1500KG – means that in real world terms, the i8 is an absolute beast. Designed for overtaking and fast directional changes, and benefitting from colossal mid-range grunt, the i8 will keep pace with much of BMWs current M range. And before you let anyone suggest that the i8 suffers from having ‘only’ a 1500cc engine, we’d like to point to another BMW with ‘only’ 1500cc – the BMW Parmalat F1 car from the early 80s – that could produce nearly 1200bhp in short bursts. You can do a lot with 1500cc, especially when you’ve electric motors giving you a hand, and nearly 50 years on.

The interior is one of the last of those classic BMW ‘fighter pilot’ layouts – cool, comfy and classy – with a touch of humour – when the car is placed in sport mode, the dials glow red, like some malevolent spirit has come on board. Never mind the electric range – it was never really about that anyway – it is all about that quiet, relentless, stunning power delivery.

We’ve tried to think of another sports car that is this affordable, looks this individual (and cool), and delivers this much performance. We can’t.

Now the i8 is becoming a modern classic – a Legend even – and we can see that collectors and enthusiasts alike are beginning to see the i8 through a different lense. We don’t think they’ll remain affordable modern classics for long.

This 2016 i8 is of course the rare Protonic Red edition. Having been clearly owned by 3 former careful keepers and covering an average of just over 3000 miles per year since new, One point of note is that BMW have replaced the entire battery set, at considerable cost. Our technical team have carried out a full inspection/report of the car and are very pleased with the result – true to their reputation for being robust and well built, the car needs next to nothing – bar a wheel refurb or two and a couple of other minor niggles the i8 is fit and ready for the next owner to enjoy.

For more info on this stunning BMW icon, or to book a visit – by appointment only please – contact our showroom team.