Test drove a BMW i8 today.....
Discussion
This will split opinion. First impressions were that it's a lot more attractive in the flesh than photos. The interior was a bit too plastic like, I was expecting better but I can see it's in keeping with the whole Tron thing. Loved the HUD and the way the console changed colour when in sport mode. It hurtled along very well and felt very planted. Interesting noise mixture with what I guess to be the electric motor firing up with a subtle turbine type sound and the augmented exhaust note quite pleasant with nice downshift blips.
However, it's £100K. So I could just trade the V8V in and get a V12VSR. (Just dreaming).
However, it's £100K. So I could just trade the V8V in and get a V12VSR. (Just dreaming).
If I didn't live in London, where it's difficult to charge an electric car at home, I'd consider a Tesla S instead of the Vantage. I test drove one and it's and excellent car. It has weaknesses (interior quality is better than most cars but nowhere near Aston levels, charger network) but also strengths (four seats, cheap fuel). I'd certainly rather have a Tesla than a Jaguar, say, because of the futuristic element.
I'm not a fan although my daily driver has been a bmw for years. 3 cylinder turbo engine, KERS boost, synthetic noise pumped into the cabin (which doesn't sound much different to the synthetic noise pumped into my 6 series) etc.. The batteries give it about 30 miles of all electric range but nobody wants to say how long of either track use or more relevantly a days hooning around welsh or Scottish roads. I know they recharge on the go but how well?
I agree with others, wait for the next generation.
I agree with others, wait for the next generation.
Given that a lot of the recharge for the battery is from braking, hooning and track days should be no problem.
The i3 shows what can be achieved currently with electric power. The next genration, if it can marry that battery range and performance to a small combustion engine, should be quite exciting.
The i3 shows what can be achieved currently with electric power. The next genration, if it can marry that battery range and performance to a small combustion engine, should be quite exciting.
Unfortunately all current e vehicles are in the long term, cul- de-sac technology and going nowhere. This is brought about by wrong headed governments as most hybrids are subsidised and the future cost of disposals of the batteries have not yet properly thought out. We already have the technology to produce non toxic exhausts gases albeit at a price and less cost than hybrids. However I suspect the interim solution of hybrids will be probably replaced by fuel cells when that will be, who knows. Politics, what price.....
Edited by pilgrim7777 on Sunday 3rd August 11:00
Jon1967x said:
I'm not a fan although my daily driver has been a bmw for years. 3 cylinder turbo engine, KERS boost, synthetic noise pumped into the cabin (which doesn't sound much different to the synthetic noise pumped into my 6 series) etc.. The batteries give it about 30 miles of all electric range but nobody wants to say how long of either track use or more relevantly a days hooning around welsh or Scottish roads. I know they recharge on the go but how well?
I agree with others, wait for the next generation.
Sport Auto, a german sports car magazine recently tested the i8 in a more "sporty" environment and held it up against Porsche and other sports cars. Their conclusion was, although impressed by the technology and how it is put together (carbon frame etc) it could not stand up against a proper sports car. Performance was "lacklustre" around the Hockenheim test track. I agree with others, wait for the next generation.
hornbaek said:
Sport Auto, a german sports car magazine recently tested the i8 in a more "sporty" environment and held it up against Porsche and other sports cars. Their conclusion was, although impressed by the technology and how it is put together (carbon frame etc) it could not stand up against a proper sports car. Performance was "lacklustre" around the Hockenheim test track.
i spend 99.9% of my life on the road. Could not care less about the track.What matters is what you feel when drive it.
I encourage everyone to go and drive one and give an opinion then.
Walked across the Ponte Vecchio ,heading towards the Piazza de Michaelangelo and parked up was an i8.
Must say it caught ones eye. Well proportioned,curvaceous,maybe a tad over styled.
My wife and daughters liked the look of it.
I shall have a peek at it on my return to the UK.
Not sure if it's my type of car,as for the green angle ,well as I've stopped adding to World Population Growth some years ago,I feel I'm doing my bit.
Must say it caught ones eye. Well proportioned,curvaceous,maybe a tad over styled.
My wife and daughters liked the look of it.
I shall have a peek at it on my return to the UK.
Not sure if it's my type of car,as for the green angle ,well as I've stopped adding to World Population Growth some years ago,I feel I'm doing my bit.
Edited by avinalarf on Wednesday 6th August 16:30
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