Road TestCar reviews - BMW - i8 - CoupeBMW modelsOverviewBMW’s return to mid-engine sportscars proves how much hybrid technology can do20 Mar 2015 EIGHT years after acquiring the Italian supercar brand Lamborghini, Volkswagen Group rolled out its own Gallardo-based high-performance model badged as an Audi – the R8. Arch-rival BMW was watching from the wings and realised that to compete, it too would have to offer a showstopping mid-ship sports halo, but after another eight years the propeller badge finally has this – the i8. With a cutting-edge petrol/electric plug-in hybrid powertrain, extensive carbon-fibre construction, four-wheel steering and drive, and that body – oh that body – BMW is back in the thoroughbred sports game for the first time since its late 1970s M1. But where its rivals use thirsty multi-cylinder engines and economy-robbing transmissions, BMW has developed a revolutionary drivetrain that combines its most powerful engine per litre, an electric motor and the world’s first two-speed e-drive transmission. With the i8, BMW is going after the discerning but environmentally conscious driving enthusiast with an awesome package. Click here for the full review... GalleryClick to see larger images Model release date: 1 October 2014 All car reviewsAlfa Romeo Abarth Alpine Alpina Audi Aston Martin BMW Bentley Chevrolet Chery Citroen Chrysler Dodge Cupra Ferrari DS Ford Fiat FPV Foton GWM Great Wall Holden Haval HSV Honda Hyundai Hummer Isuzu Infiniti Jeep Jaguar Lamborghini Kia LDV Land Rover Lotus Lexus Maserati Mahindra McLaren Mazda Mercedes-Benz Mercedes-AMG Mini MG Nissan Mitsubishi Peugeot Opel Proton Porsche Renault Ram Rover Rolls-Royce Skoda Saab SsangYong Smart Suzuki Subaru Toyota Tesla Volvo Volkswagen |
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