BMW i8 First Drive
Introduction
Freshened for 2019, the i8 is a low-slung, all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid sports car in roadster and coupe versions. A 129-hp electric motor powers the front wheels and a 228-hp, 1.5-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine driving the rear result in a combined output of 369 hp, 12 more hp than previous. The coupe version is good for a blistering 0-60 mph run in 4.2 seconds, BMW claims. The i8 has an all-electric range of about 17 miles before the gas engine kicks in, though the engine can be tapped as needed for maximum performance. Total range is about 320 miles. Charge time is said to be about 3 hours on 240-volts. Like the i3, the i8 is also made of carbon fiber, and it weighs about 3,500 pounds.