BMW i8 (2014 – Present): Profile, Specifications, Reviews & Buyer Guide
Introduction
With all the new technologies that seem to be bursting through the pipeline these days, it has become hard to remember the time when the BMW i8 was first unveiled to the public. Released during what feels like the olden days now, the 2014 BMW i8 revolutionized the automotive landscape by pioneering what is recognized to be the first high-performance hybrid sports car.
Well ahead of its time, its powertrain technology was the result of BMW’s visionary approach to a rapidly shifting narrative towards a future focused on sustainability. The eventual overthrowing of the combustion engine would be at the forefront of this movement, with EVs taking their place. The BMW i8 would be the earliest creation in this image.
The BMW i8 provides more of a transitional approach to this, than a radical one – being a plug-in hybrid as opposed to fully-electric – but would nevertheless be disrupting the status quo. Since its 2014 release, we are still currently in the same production run based on the initial platform.
While the original car was relatively trailblazing for its time, BMW hasn’t made a whole lot of changes to the i8 since its 2014 release. There have been few noteworthy upgrades, if any, unless the optional Laserlight headlamps introduced in 2016 are your thing.
The 2019 model year has seen the most significant changes, where the the BMW i8 is now also available as a soft-top roadster in addition to the 2+2 coupe. The powertrain has also been revised to produce an additional 12-horsepower while also increasing overall range by about 3 miles.
The latest BMW software – iDrive 6.0 – now runs via the car’s infotainment system, while minor changes to the dampers and anti-roll bars are intended to improve handling performance and driving feel.
Should you buy one? What are the specifications? What do the reviews say?
Supercars.Net has put together this page as a resource to help answer all of these questions, and more.
Our Take: Should You Buy a BMW i8?
The BMW i8 is certainly the type of car that makes a statement. At the forefront of this are its revolutionary hybrid drivetrain, and a sharp amalgamation of futuristic and exotic design elements.
However, with today’s offerings it has become an increasingly hard sell as far as the i8 is concerned – especially when taking into consideration performance figures. While its purely petrol-powered competitors (based on price) – such as the Audi R8 and BMW M4 – could arguably be waved off as incomparable, new players to the green-scene include the much more utilitarian Porsche Taycan and the accessibly-priced Tesla Model 3, while the old-rival Tesla Model S has seen continuous improvements over time.
In the short-term, many of the mainstream automakers such as Audi, Aston Martin, Kia and Mercedes are looking to enter the game with their own lineup of EVs, which will only further flood the market with more options – good for the consumer, not so great for the i8.
Bottom line: The BMW i8 is still a very cool, head-turner of an automobile, and speaks strongly for the EV movement thanks to its status as a pioneer and revolutionary. The used market is probably the best path to procuring one; a patient approach is likely to pay dividends, depreciation is set to accelerate as the market becomes saturated with eco-friendly vehicles.
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