What does BMW want to achieve with the i8 hybrid supercar?

[ASH]

I've been looking at the hybrid supercars that McLaren, Porsche and Ferrari have developing as the technology and engineering interests me, as I have a keen interest in F1 technology and some of the lastest F1 tech has come through in 2 of the above vehicles. I also have been looking with interest at what BMW have been developing in the i8, which shares a similar sort of design philosophy with the P1, 918 and LaFerrari.

I just cant understand BMWs reasoning with the i8, as there is so much advanced technology in it, it surely isn't going to be cheap, secondly anything with a BMW badge and advanced engineering is always going to cost body parts. If you look at the i8, it takes the form of a 2door, low centre of gravity supercar, people will buy because they want the driving experience, the thrill, the sound, the handling etc. With the Ferrari, McLaren and Porsche, they have used the hybrid technology to enhance the vehicle and improve the driving experience. With BMW however, I get the feeling their attempt is simply half baked and they haven't really extended themselves in producing a car that is worth being mentioned as the other three. If they wanted to make the i8, look the way it does, it should surely drive like the others as well, and not offer a compromised driving experience. I doubt that the i8 can be driven as the P1, 918 or LaFerrari and probably will have to be nursed or granny'ed around to get the maximum performance from the drivetrain.

How you you'll feel? See some videos below of the P1, 918 and LaFerrari...........

McLaren P1

Porsche 918

Ferrari LaFerrari

BMW i8

Fernando Alonso hammering the LaFerrari in testing

 

[Nastaliq]

I don't think they actually are trying to compete in the Supercar segment.

For a lot of people, it will be the next NEW THING to buy.
You will find a lot of execs and CEOs and blinging larneys driving them at first, but that's about it.

It WILL NOT become the stuff of legend, it will not become an iconic automobile and it will not, due to the exorbitant price become at all mainstream.

The fact that it was in that Mission Impossible movie tells you that for ordinary guys like me and you, owning this car, WILL BE mission impossible.

Yes, its got some very futuristic features, and lets not be mistaken that BMW is no new comer to making performance engines.
For me, the design aesthetic isn't where it should be. This car will not be at home in SA, maybe Monaco or Sweden, but not here with our taxis and potholes and guvamint etolls. Yes, the same can be said about a Bugatti Veyron or Maybach 75, but then, those cars are not trying to be hybrid, fuel efficient new era cars. They are fast, loud and guzzle fuel.

Will there be a waiting list at BMW dealerships countrywide for these i8s? YES.

Does the motoring world care? NO.

 

[moranor@axis]

I also feel BMW missed an opportunity here... then again its up against some stiff completion if they gave it more performance...

for me the P1 is perfect

even with all the crazy tech it somehow captures the raw supercar feel in a way the others dont seem to...

 

[Nastaliq]

I am inclined to agree with you.
I prefer the Ferrari myself.

I think they tried to get too futuristic with that blue interior line.
IF they make the i8 in an Msport version, with red line interior, a v8 remove that hybrid rubbish, quad exhaust (you can never have too many exhausts ) and some proper rims, with side skirts, muscular fenders and rear spoiler..............then I could be armtwisted (the armtwisting would need to obviously involve a full and without encumberment sponsorship of the car) into buying one.

 

[moranor@axis]

until the laFerrari gets dome proper reviews im sticking with the P1

unfortunately we have to rely on other peoples impressions as we wont be lucky enough to drive any of them :roflol: but every one seems blown away by the P1 :rollsmile:

 

[maximus]

My opinion is that it is purely for eye-candy and never was really meant to compete in the super-hybrid-car segment. It's probably how they envisioned how the future cars will look like with all the before mentioned exterior styling characteristics. I think the people who buys this car are the ones that want to show off but also have that cool-status associated with a hybrid car that's not Killing environment and also that it looks good.

No doubt it will be very expensive though.

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[rayven_king]

My opinion is that it is purely for eye-candy and never was really meant to compete in the super-hybrid-car segment. It's probably how they envisioned how the future cars will look like with all the before mentioned exterior styling characteristics. I think the people who buys this car are the ones that want to show off but also have that cool-status associated with a hybrid car that's not Killing environment and also that it looks good.

No doubt it will be very expensive though.

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So bmw made a prius

*sigh*

 

[ASH]

totally agree that they created a "fast-ish" Prius, it probably is not ever going to stir the soul like the P1, 918 & LaFerrari. They should have stuck this hybrid crap or just the 3cylinder motor into the 2series Tourer or any bigger version (gosh I hope there ain't anymore). I think people buying in this market want the whole motoring experience when it comes to buying a vehicle of this type, you know the cornering G-Forces, the sound, the extrovert styling, flames from the exhausts, getting planted into the seat on acceleration sort of experience, I mean who out there goes and says I want a supercar, but it must be quiet, fuel efficient, consider the environmental impact, green peace, etc. etc. It must also be so sanitised in driving experience, clean, straight, linear etc, I don't that it will even handle decently, with the friction reducing tyres fitted.

I mean why create something which will be laughed at by the other manufacturers creating hybrid supercars. They probably laughing and saying "Wow, BMW created a Prius supercar, that is sooo amaaazing" They should have used the M6 V8 twin-turbo coupled with the electric motor to create a BMW petrol-electric supercar, although even with the M6 engine they still along way off the P1's petrol motor power output alone which is rated at 542kw.

I think they wanted something which would be somewhere in-between but I mean really who wants to buy an in between supercar, surely people want only the best and not a half attempt?

My opinion is that it is purely for eye-candy and never was really meant to compete in the super-hybrid-car segment. It's probably how they envisioned how the future cars will look like with all the before mentioned exterior styling characteristics. I think the people who buys this car are the ones that want to show off but also have that cool-status associated with a hybrid car that's not Killing environment and also that it looks good.

No doubt it will be very expensive though.

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So bmw made a prius

*sigh*

 

[Daaf Vader]

I agree is was not made to compete with the new hypercars.
But I would not sell the engineering in the vehicle short if look at detail what they have done it is really an engineering master piece.

This will probalby compete with the likes of a Audi R8 and imagine if this thing is quicker than that V10...

 

[maximus]

Hahaha in essence a better looking prius

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[ASH]

Even on the looks it is very debatable on the aesthetic appeal of this vehicle, looks very copy and paste, fill in the blanks and join the dots
here and there.............