Used 2014 BMW i8

BMW could’ve taken the predictable route and developed another traditional halo car like the Audi R8 or Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, but instead doubled down on its philosophy of "Efficient Dynamics" and produced a sports car for today’s more progressive driving enthusiast: the 2014 BMW i8. Its carbon fiber and aluminum shell is home to a mid-mounted turbocharged gasoline engine and an electric drive system that delivers 357 horsepower and an all-electric range of up to 22 miles. Then again, a $136,000 starting price means this next-generation driving experience doesn’t come cheap. And while you could purchase two Cadillac ELRs for that kind of money, the i8’s price tag still falls roughly in line with its other plug-in hybrid rival, the Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid.

The BMW i8 both looks and drives like nothing else on the road today. Select the E-drive setting and the i8 can cruise on electricity alone for up to 22 miles at a maximum speed of 75 mph. Complementing this engineless mode of travel are a number of noise-attenuation measures aimed at keeping wind-noise and road-noise levels to a minimum. The result is an eerily-quiet cabin that provides disruption-free listening through the standard harman/kardon sound system. Of course, hammering the throttle brings to life the turbocharged 3-cylinder engine and its uncharacteristic baritone bark. And while a 0-60 time of 4.2-seconds is all well and good, the i8’s unrelenting power delivery is what truly separates it from conventional sports cars. In terms of handling, the chassis and suspension work together harmoniously to serve up the type of balance and composure for which BMW is renowned. What’s more, the electric-assisted steering is so responsive and effortless that a hydraulically-actuated setup would actually take away from the experience. Yeah, we said it.

The 2014 i8 takes the current BMW design aesthetic and adds a subtle dose of modernism by way of reusable materials, blue accents and clear contrasts. The front seats, while comfortable, don’t offer a great deal of adjustability due to weight concerns. Out back, the two rear seats are habitable for small children only. The rear cargo area is equally tight, offering less than half the trunk space of a Ford Fiesta. On the electronics front, the i8 includes BMW’s i ConnectedDrive service that utilizes topography and traffic information to choose the most efficient navigation route and a smartphone app that lets you lock and unlock doors, monitor battery charging, and activate the air conditioning from virtually anywhere.

An exercise in ultra-contemporary design, the i8 features expressive front and rear treatments that stretch wide and low to convey a supercar-like stance that is further emphasized by stylized LED headlights and a black translucent V-shaped element that extends back from the grille to the base of the windshield. The BMW i8 also dispenses with a B-pillar in favor of scissor-type doors that help facilitate access to the low-slung cockpit. Despite this futuristic appearance, virtually every design aspect serves a functional purpose. For instance, the hood vent works in conjunction with the slotted kidney grilles to promote cooling, while the split rear wing and front apron vents aid high-speed stability.

CARBON-FIBER-REINFORCED PLASTIC BODY
Nearly 50-percent lighter than steel – and just as robust – the i8’s carbon-composite body offsets the extra weight of the electric battery without compromising crashworthiness.

UNIQUE ALL-WHEEL-DRIVE SYSTEM
The i8’s sophisticated all-wheel-drive system can route 100-percent power to the front wheels, rear wheels, and everywhere in between depending on traction needs.

The 2014 i8 comes nearly fully-loaded from the get-go with standard features like navigation, leather-wrapped interior panels and upholstery, high-efficiency LED headlights, a fully digital instrument cluster, rain-sensing windshield wipers, front and rear parking sensors, and adaptive cruise control that maintains a preset distance behind the vehicle ahead. Safety features consist of six airbags, BMW Assist with 24/7 emergency services, and a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic passenger cell.

As a low-volume, quasi-exotic car, the i8’s options list is limited to a full-color head-up display, a 360-degree camera system that provides a bird’s eye view of the vehicle’s surroundings, and a pre-collision system. High-rollers can also order a set of custom-crafted Louis Vuitton luggage for the door-buster price of just $26,000.

The BMW i8 pairs an internal combustion engine that drives its rear wheels with an electric motor/generation unit energized by a lithium-ion battery that powers the front wheels. The conventional powerplant is a turbocharged, 1.5-liter 3-cylinder engine that produces 228 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. Combined with the high-voltage battery pack, the i8 packs a net power output of 357 horsepower. Recharging the battery requires 3.5 hours on a standard 110V household outlet and 1.5 hours with a 220V charging station.

AC synchronous electric motor/generator
5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack
1.5-liter turbocharged inline-3
357 net horsepower
420 net lb-ft of torque
EPA city/highway fuel economy: NA