RE: Chris Harris video: BMW i8

[IMI A]

I'm impressed by how quickly hybrid tech is evolving. Not sure I could replace my 997 as a dd with i8 though???!!! Having said that I wouldn't replace my 997 with a 991 either!

[TimLambert7]

DaSchnee said:

I wonder if tuners are able to fiddle with the powerplant in this thing in any way. Surely there is a bit of potential left in the petrol engine.

If i owned one of these I wouldn't let a tuner within 20 metres of it.

BMW, one of the largest car manufacturers in the world have set up a hugely complicated power plant. No tuner can come close without seriously fecking it up, surely?

Car looks fantastic. Perhaps it sits as more of a Cayman rival (on paper anyway); but Harris only compares it to a 911. I guess based on the more info he has on it that seems like a better comparison.

It's very hard to bounce off other cars as it is so completely different.

[chelme]

I appreciate the concept but as Kambites puts it, its not really a good sports car, and with the fake engine noise? No thanks.

Edited by chelme on Wednesday 30th April 22:25

[magic torch]

Interesting video.

Seems like LaFerrari is the end of an era, the i8 the beginning of a new one.

Love the looks.

[kambites]

DaSchnee said:

Get a set of stickier tyers and I think you end up with a brilliant sports car.

If it already has no adjustability, stickier tyres would probably make it worse not better.

[kambites]

TimLambert7 said:

Car looks fantastic. Perhaps it sits as more of a Cayman rival (on paper anyway); but Harris only compares it to a 911. I guess based on the more info he has on it that seems like a better comparison.

It's £100k and has four seats. Sounds like in terms of specs it's far closer to the 911 than the Cayman? I doubt it'll appeal to the same drivers as either though, I think it's more aimed at the Prius driver who's having a mid-life crisis.

[velocgee]

that design really works for me. so like this car.

[pegon]

Why not pick a 911 and a i3 instead. Best of both worlds.

[storminnorman]

If the future looks like the i8 does then we should all be happy.

We don't need false noise though. If hybrid technology cannot replace the character, or soul, or whatever you want to call it, of the large-capacity petrol era, then car enthusiasts should be concerned.

[dandare]

I like the exterior, although rear of the wheels is a bit short.
As for the interior being modern, was Chris tripping? It still looks old fashioned compared to some of the 10 year-old TVR interiors. Really boring and doesn't fit the exterior. Maybe that's a clever marketing ploy. Change too much, and only the brave would buy it. One step at a time for Joe Public.
Still, well done BMW, even though I wouldn't want one.

[R36vw]

Not a 911 rival. I think it's more a panamera rival ....but more futuristic looks to it. Problem I see is at 100k what else could I buy? There lies the big question over this car. I admire bmw for bringing this out and if an "I" model fits into every series then things could get interesting.

[graemel]

I'll LMAO when the HSE decrees that all electrically powered vehicles have to emit a loud beeping sound to warn pedestrians that they are approaching. This will be an issue, mark my words.

[Terminator X]

hdrflow said:

Not for me but I think we'll get to see more and more of the same sort of tech. Can't stop progress and all that I suppose.

Don't like it at all which makes me feel and indeed reveals that I'm old throw in self driving cars and I feel depressed.

TX.

[DonkeyApple]

A very tempting car. I'm guessing from CH's remarks that the rear seats are of no purpose however?

[notax]

Very interesting video. I'm seriously considering buying an i8. I am a huge fan of V8s but may sell two of mine to buy one of these - my C63 AMG coupe and Aston Vantage S Roadster. I would strongly recommend any doubters to head to your nearest BMW showroom and test drive the new i3. It really is an incredible piece of kit and allegedly faster than a previous generation M3 from 0-40mph. It certainly has amazing traction and enough torque to give a sustained kick in the back. I'm off to see an i8 in the flesh in a few weeks, and Chris' video hasn't put me off. It would be my everyday work car, with me keeping my trusty Chimaera and M3 rally car to exploit my old school petrolhead urges

[TheBigUnit]

I really like this car. It seems that when electricity is involved, BMW's designers really raise their game.

[TVRJAS]

135 mpg on an 4 second car when you think about it is amazing.

I would imagine when night time driving the cockpit and dials would light up pretty nicely and give a very pleasant ambiance.

But all this silent noise worries me coming from so called sports cars,as are Chris's words...

Quote:

" Pretty soon you won't be allowed to drive to certain places unless you're in something that meets the regulations".

Edited: In ways in reminds me of Audi R8

Edited by TVRJAS on Thursday 1st May 00:47

[CraigyMc]

vescaegg said:

Zajda said:

Quality and thoroughness instead of earliest publication I suppose. EVO and Autocar release cca 10 mins apart - wise attitude to not enter this game. His films are of a different manner anyway and he will probably get more hits on youtube than Autocar and EVO altogether, even with a month of delay.

Strange that Ferrari deemed 'top' publications get to publish a month in front of anyone else.

And I would have thought Harris would be much more influential than CAR magazine (and some others) to be honest. His written review is out at least. Video should be a goodun!

Edited by vescaegg on Wednesday 30th April 20:50

Not surprising at all given this: http://jalopnik.com/5783922/how-ferrari-responds

[matthias73]

Much more interested in this than any of the big 3 at the moment.

1. bmwfanboyrant

Love the front view. Side profile looks like it had a few too many deserts, but still a lovely car.

[findtomdotcom]

Thanks Chris, really, really interesting car. £100k seems cheap when you consider the current hybrid alternatives are £££+

I love it (holds up hand as 997 to 991 driver), I am watching with interest....

A couple of thoughts, firstly the wheels are just awful (both the std ones and the optional ones) and I know it looks like a car from 2035 but I wonder how it will date. I already think it kind of has dated, (odd I know but I accept that just might be me).