2014 BMW i8

You typically don’t associate sports cars with hybrid efficiency, and this dichotomy is what makes the 2014 BMW i8 such an unusual proposition. Newly launched for the 2014 model year, the i8 is an exotic that teams razor-sharp driving dynamics with eye-catching sheet metal and a gas-electric hybrid powertrain.

The 2014 BMW i8 is a two-door plug-in hybrid that seats four. All-wheel drive is standard on this sports car, and the i8 is sold in a single trim.

Exterior

The i8 comes with the sort of sheet metal that demands a second or third glance. Scissor doors dramatically telegraph the car’s sporting capabilities, and the i8’s exterior is taut and muscular from every perspective. Narrow headlights squint alongside a sculpted grille, and the i8 greets the pavement with standard 20-inch wheels.

All models are equipped with daytime running lights, LED headlights and taillights, LED foglights and rain-sensing windshield wipers. Upgrades include turbine-style wheels and black brake calipers.

Interior

Within its cabin, the 2017 BMW i8 provides an environment that melds sport-car bravado with hybrid eco-friendliness. The cockpit has a sporty look, and it drives its green credibility home by using a multitude of recycled materials. Even taller passengers will find the front seats comfortable and roomy, but the rear seats work best as additional luggage space. The i8 provides 5.2 cubic feet of cargo capacity.

Standard features include leather upholstery, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, heated power-adjustable front seats, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and automatic climate control. You can upgrade your BMW i8 with special perforated leather upholstery and various interior accents.

Performance

You likely won’t be disappointed with the performance provided by the 2017 BMW i8. Braking is sharp and natural, with none of rubberiness typically associated with a hybrid’s regenerative braking system. Acceleration is crisp and strong, and the i8 moves off the line with haste. Power comes from a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine matched with an electric motor and a battery pack, and total output comes in at 357 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. The electric motor is governed by a two-speed automatic transmission, while the gas engine shifts gears with a six-speed automatic.

The i8 can cruise for up to 15 miles using just electric power. This BMW  has an EPA rating of 76 MPGe combined city/highway when considering both gas and electric power and 28 mpg combined with just the gas engine in use. Charging takes 1.5 hours with a 240-volt charger.

Technology

Standard technology features include keyless entry and ignition, an overhead camera view system, a head-up display, navigation, Bluetooth phone and streaming audio, a Wi-Fi hotspot, satellite radio, parking sensors, HD Radio, a USB/iPod interface and a Harman Kardon stereo. The i8 also comes equipped with BMW’s Remote Services, and this feature allows you to remotely activate the climate control or lock the car using your Android or Apple device.