The Goodwood Test: BMW i8

Heritage

While BMW describes the i8 as “the future of the supercar”, this astonishing plug-in hybrid sportscar is also a testament to the rich performance-car heritage that has driven BMW to the global success it is today. The model itself thrives on its lack of heritage: it went on sale in the summer of 2014 as the future of the company, joining with the compact i3 as the showcases for BMW’s advanced electric technology. And what a showcase the i8 was, and continues to be. But the overall result is an astonishing reminder of BMW’s two-seat, rear-wheel drive performance car prowess; in its handling, it’s reminiscent of the Z8, or an M1 or a 2002. 

Is the i8 a sportscar, or a supercar? It verges on the latter in terms of styling and excitement, but with the power of a hot hatch is probably better placed in the sportscar category. We don’t really care: it’s a very, very clever car and we love it.

Design

Win, win, win. The i8 is a nigh-on perfect blend of futurist styling, outlandish supercar sexiness, and the Teutonic respect for minimal fuss. Thus the roof appears to float over the rear wheel arches, a gigantic crease in the bodywork shelving huge parts of metal out of sight. Surfaces overlap, interlock, jut out and disappear from sight in giant curves all over the place. The bonnet slopes down to aggressive, pinched headlights while the taillights are funky LEDs. It’s low, squat and exudes power; only the partially-closed kidney grille at the front gives the game away when it comes to the powertrain.

Dramatic dihedral doors lift out and up to reveal a smart cabin with lots of horizontal lines and low instruments, adding to the feeling of a low-slung car. Inside, a fantastic LED strip runs the length of the dash and along the doors, giving a futuristic feel, while the rest of the cabin is typical BMW: succinct, sparse but beautifully crafted and thankfully intuitive, with the company’s user-friendly satnav screen and infotainment system. The quality of the audio system is fittingly brilliant.

Performance

Here’s the clever bit. The i8 is the first BMW to be powered by a three-cylinder petrol engine, taken from Mini. In the i8, it’s turbocharged, developing 231bhp and driving the rear wheels. A 96kW electric motor sends its power to the front axle, and there’s a six-speed automatic transmission. Operating in pure electric mode, the i8 should be good for 22 miles, at up to 75mph. The battery can be charged via the electric motor on overrun, or from the high-voltage start-generator, which is powered by the engine. Or, of course, you can whip out the lead and plug the car into a socket. The combined power from both sources is 362bhp, with 420lb ft of torque and all-wheel drive when everything is in use. With both power sources in use, the i8 accelerates to 62mph in 4.4 seconds and on to a top speed of 155mph. Quoted Combined fuel consumption's 135mpg… the way we drove it, you can expect more like 35mpg, which isn’t bad for a car that looks and feels this good.

Passion

In spades, we’d say, although the i8 is very much a Marmite car and plenty of fellow journalists think the piped-in, fake engine noise at speed pretty much sums up the lack of true passion. We’d have to disagree: it looks and feels exciting and involving to drive: it’s dynamic, sharp and has retained that BMW DNA of a planted, assured, sporting drive. Everyone stared at our orange test car, which, we’re afraid to say, is the bluntest instrument for testing passion out there. But it’s more than a piece of eye candy: it’s clever. George Clooney with glasses, if you will.

Price: from £94,845