In this article:
Who is the BMW i8 a good car for?
What is the BMW i8 like to drive?
Is the BMW i8 a good car?
The plug-in hybrid model retains the reputation for quality that BMW has and with the powertrain configuration returns a very frugal average fuel consumption figure while remaining quick.
Who is the BMW i8 a good car for?
The BMW i8 is a good car for an individual that not only wants a sports car for the weekends but also a vehicle that can be used daily without having to stop at the pumps regularly.
Is the BMW i8 a good first car?
Should you find a good clean example, it should prove reliable and frugal for a first-time car buyer. We, however, would recommend an advanced driving course before exploring the limits of grip at your local race track.
Is the BMW i8 a good family car?
Even though the BMW i8 does have four seats, the rear seats are quite small and the leg-, shoulder- and headroom are very limited. The boot in the coupe will provide 154 litres of space while roadster owners will only be able to stow around 88 litres. Considering the original use case for the car and the limited room, we wouldn't recommend it for a family.
Is there a Hybrid BMW i8?
Not only are there hybrid variants, but there is only a hybrid powertrain available as it is the main unique selling point of the model. The combination of the internal combustion engine and the electric motor produces 266 kW and 570 Nm of torque while returning a claimed average fuel consumption figure of 2.1 L / 100 km.
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What’s it like to drive?
Reviewer's opinion
Because of the way it delivers the power, the transition is almost seamless and the power is so linear, it just accelerates so smoothly.
- Chad Luckhoff, AutoTrader
What does it look like?
Exterior
Interior
What is the BMW i8 like inside?
The interior came with a variety of colours and stitching combinations for the upholstery and although the interior design of the brand has come a long way since then, it remains quite stylish and modern. Where the interior does show its age is the smaller 8.8-inch infotainment display and some of the tactile inputs. Nevertheless, the interior is still a premium and comfortable place to be.
Style
The BMW i8 introduced hybrid technology to the German automaker's sports car range. And as can be expected from the Bavarian brand, the i8 offers a timeless design with a variety of contrasting exterior surfaces. One can see that a lot of inspiration for the design came from the legendary BMW M1, however, the i8 is a lot more futuristic. Now nearly 8 years since it made its first appearance locally, the sports car still remains a very stylish option.
Tech features
- BMW eDrive Technology
- Driving Experience Control
- ConnectedDrive Services
- Real-Time Traffic Information
- 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system
- Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible
Price and specs
Which is the cheapest i8?
The i8 is no longer sold new, however, the cheapest BMW i8 one could get in 2018 is the entry trim coupe - prices usually started from R 2 095 200
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How much does it cost?
*The prices indicated below are what customers could expect to pay for a new example in 2018.
| BMW i8 LCI Coupe | from R 2 095 200 |
| BMW i8 LCI Roadster | from R 2 329 300 |
*Pricing correct at time of publishing and subject to change without notice.
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