Test drive in an i8
Discussion
Evening all,
I was having a look around the forums on Pistonheads last week and happened across a post from BMW about test driving an i8. The inner child in me pressed auto fill button on my iPad and before you know it BMW where in the phone asking when I'd like to go for a drive.
A couple of days later, I arrived at a pristine, impressive and rather busy Huddersfield BMW dealership with a couple of i8 sat outside the front. Alison, their i specialist was on had to meet me, we completed the obligatory I can drive and I've not been drinking form then before I knew it we were heading out in full E mode.
A few minutes later we pulled over and swapped seats. The carbon tub means you've got to get in alike how you would a Lotus, but with a bit more space, drop your bum, swing your feet around, pull down the door, seatbelt on and then press the engine start button. But it doesn't start. You pull away with a faint hush The car will automatically start in all electric mode and later seamlessly introduce the engine whenever required.
The throttle responds is perfect, instant with plenty of power on hand for when you need it. I like the way it sounds. It may be an artificial noise but it sounded amazing from inside and that's what counts right? The steering felt direct, maybe with a little less feel than in my current car but that's electric steering for you. It was by no means dull or numb though.
Coming from an R53 Cooper S to an i8 is a quite a change, but one I enjoyed. Both are radically different cars but both are enjoyable in there different ways.
Would I have one? Oh yes, lottery tickets bought and hours spent choosing colours and adding various wheels.
Anyone lucky enough to use one as their daily driver is privileged, the i8 to me anyway looks and feels special, it retains it concept drama and makes the tech more accessible to a wider market.
A big thank you to Alison at Huddersfield BMW, at the moment anyway I'm not in a position where I can buy one and I'm sure Alison knew that. It was a great opportunity to keep me interested in the brand and demonstrate where the brand is heading.
I was having a look around the forums on Pistonheads last week and happened across a post from BMW about test driving an i8. The inner child in me pressed auto fill button on my iPad and before you know it BMW where in the phone asking when I'd like to go for a drive.
A couple of days later, I arrived at a pristine, impressive and rather busy Huddersfield BMW dealership with a couple of i8 sat outside the front. Alison, their i specialist was on had to meet me, we completed the obligatory I can drive and I've not been drinking form then before I knew it we were heading out in full E mode.
A few minutes later we pulled over and swapped seats. The carbon tub means you've got to get in alike how you would a Lotus, but with a bit more space, drop your bum, swing your feet around, pull down the door, seatbelt on and then press the engine start button. But it doesn't start. You pull away with a faint hush The car will automatically start in all electric mode and later seamlessly introduce the engine whenever required.
The throttle responds is perfect, instant with plenty of power on hand for when you need it. I like the way it sounds. It may be an artificial noise but it sounded amazing from inside and that's what counts right? The steering felt direct, maybe with a little less feel than in my current car but that's electric steering for you. It was by no means dull or numb though.
Coming from an R53 Cooper S to an i8 is a quite a change, but one I enjoyed. Both are radically different cars but both are enjoyable in there different ways.
Would I have one? Oh yes, lottery tickets bought and hours spent choosing colours and adding various wheels.
Anyone lucky enough to use one as their daily driver is privileged, the i8 to me anyway looks and feels special, it retains it concept drama and makes the tech more accessible to a wider market.
A big thank you to Alison at Huddersfield BMW, at the moment anyway I'm not in a position where I can buy one and I'm sure Alison knew that. It was a great opportunity to keep me interested in the brand and demonstrate where the brand is heading.
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