BMW i8 Electric Expert Reviews

Despite being aimed at high performance rivals such as the Porsche 911 and Audi R8, the i8 has nothing more exotic than a turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine mounted behind the rear seats, However, thanks to the addition of a powerful 129bhp electric motor linked to lithium ion batteries, the BMW boasts a healthy combined power output of 357bhp and a thumping 570Nm of torque. As a result, the i8 will blasted from 0-62mph in just 4.4 seconds and go on to a top speed of 155mph. Yet while the performance figures are pure supercar, the i8’s running costs have more in common with a supermini.

Thanks to its plug-in petrol-electric powerplant, the i8 claims a remarkable 134.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 49g/km. Of course, these figures are only really achievable if you charge the BMW’s batteries once a day and the majority of your journeys can be completed within the 22 mile electric range. Even so, use the petrol engine all the time and you can still expect a return of more than 40mpg, which is impressive when you consider the available performance.