Owning or even just test driving the 2015 BMW i8 includes certain responsibilities. Among other things, you must always park it where people can find it. You must always hang around the car for at least a little while. And you must let children have their picture taken in it.
It's not like you have any real choice. With its out-of-this-world looks, people see the BMW i8 coming from miles away. They will track it down no matter where you park, so you might as well make it easy for them. They will have a lot of questions about the car, of course, but some will actually know more about it than you do. And everyone will take pictures with their smart phones, so you might as well cooperate.
Such is the cost of fame. Not yours, but the i8, which debuted in a supporting role in "Mission Impossible 4" and is the subject of numerous Internet articles and videos. BMW calls the i8 a sports car but it is closer to a supercar, or at least a true exotic.
But in a world where everyone is famous for longer than they deserve, the admiration for the i8 is well earned. It is the most unique car currently available for sale to the general public a plug-in hybrid whose dazzling looks are matched by its performance. The low slung, swoopy body is beautiful from every angle. The interior is surprisingly roomy and comfortable up front, with a dash that is both simple and elegant at the same time.
But equally impressive, it gets around 15 miles on electric power alone from a full charge, then delivers an impressive 28 mpg in hybrid mode. According to tests, it can reach 60 in just 4.5 seconds and has a top speed of 155 miles per hour.
While not as fast as some other sports cars, the ride is so smooth and stable it's unreal thanks in part to the all-wheel-drive nature of the hybrid drivetrain. The electric motor powers the front wheels, a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline three cylinder engine drives the rear wheels, and they work together under heavy acceleration when the combined 357 horsepower and 420 foot pounds of torque can be realized.
So what's not to love about the BMW i8?
Well, for starters, the scizzor doors only swing slightly out and up, making getting into and out of the car awkward. Entrances are not too hard, because you can put one foot on the floor and slide sideways and forward onto the seat. But there's no way to get out from under the low hanging door gracefully which is especially embarrassing because everyone is looking at you.
Then there's the confining back seats, which won't even accommodate children well. There's also a severe lack of cargo space, with the diminutive trunk under the rear hatch only large enough for a gym bag.
And then there's the question of the enhanced exhaust. In light driving, the i8 is incredibly quiet, especially in all-electric mode. When the gas engine kicks in, only a slight burble can be heard from the rear of the car. But under heavy acceleration, if grows into a V8-style roar but one that comes out of the stereo speakers, even if it's turned off. BMW insists the engine noise is augmented not fake, but it seems like an unexpected gimmick in such a sophisticated car although most owners might enjoy it.
There's plenty of standard equipment, though. Base models include 20-inch wheels, an adjustable suspension, LED exterior lighting, automatic headlights and wipers, front and rear park assist, an overhead camera view system, auto-dimming mirrors, keyless entry and ignition, leather upholstery, power front seats, heated front seats, a tilt-and-telescoping and leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic climate control, memory settings and a head-up display.
On the electronics front, standard equipment includes a navigation system, BMW's iDrive electronics interface, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, BMW Assist, Internet accessibility and a Harman Kardon sound system with an iPod/USB interface, satellite radio and HD radio. Also standard are BMW Apps and BMW Remote Services, which allows Apple and Android users to lock the car remotely and turn on the climate control, among various other tasks.
On top of all that, three option packages are available: Giga World, which includes turbine-style wheels and expanded, perforated leather upholstery; Tera World, which includes a choice of the standard or turbine-style wheels and special cloth and leather upholstery; and Pure Impulse World, which includes black brake calipers, a choice of the standard or turbine wheels and a variety of unique interior trim and materials upgrades, and a leather engine cover.
The base price for the 2015 i8 is $136,500 and the fully-loaded version costs $150,095. That's a lot of money, of course, but at least for once it buys something unique a high performance plug-in hybrid that makes saving the planet pleasure.
Our test version was a bright white Pure Impulse World model with the turbine wheels, which showed off the massive, perforated four wheel brake discs and black calipers. The first impression is that a UFO has landed in the parking lot. Although other exotics also have striking lines, those are the i8 are distinctly sensual, much more organic than most. They are also designed to improve wind flow, however, especially around the rear end which features the most fully integrated rear spoilers ever conceived.
In fact, the BMW i8 has so many special features and unique touches, it is impossible to mention all of them a single review, let alone explain them to the curious masses who gather where you take it. But most people just seem happy to look and take pictures for their friends. The least you do is cooperate. After all, you'll have the satisfaction of driving off in it.
2015 BMW i8
Base price: $106,600
Price as tested: $136,500
Type: Plug-in hybrid coupe
Drivetrain: Turbocharged 1.5-liter inline 3, electric motor, 7.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack (357 hp, 420 lbs-ft combined)
Transmissions: 6-speed auto for engine, two-speed for motor
EPA estimated mileage: 76 MPGe, 28 hybrid mpg
Overall length: 184.9" inches
Curb weight: 3,455 pounds
Final assembly: Leipzig, Germany