I've never heard of an electricity spill...

The BMW i8:  Power, in a whole new way!

Usually when you think of an electric car, what comes to mind is something watered-down and weak – a car that might be good for a city commute, but lacks the power to really get you where you’re going. And now, with the sway of public opinion leaning firmly in the direction of an electric future, you have probably wondered: how can you drive with all the style of your luxury car, while taking advantage of current environmental considerations?

    The engineers at BMW thought the same thing, and that’s why they designed the BMW i8.

    Influenced by the retro look of the BMW M1 Hommage, the i8 is a hybrid sports car first released in 2014 that is reinventing the field of electric/fuel vehicles. It’s designed for fans of the BMW brand, and it shows: the engine can reach 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds, and its top speed is 250 km/h. Its fuel efficiency is 3.1 L/100 km in hybrid mode, and even at full gasoline consumption it only uses 8.1 L/100 km on the highway.

    Much of the reason behind these specs is the technology put into the car’s construction. Instead of steel, the body is made from carbon-fiber reinforced plastic, which is strong yet very light; the body is optimized for aerodynamics; and the battery can even be partially recharged through braking, as energy given off from the friction is recaptured and stored. Such innovations at all levels make the BMW i8 a serious contender for the luxury hybrid champion.

    Many of you might think it’s necessary to wait for more infrastructure to be developed before getting into the electric market – you may have heard that you need special charging stations set up in your city. Not for the i8! With the BMW i Wallbox, you can have quick connectivity available right at home – a full charge from one of these takes less than 4 hours!

    So what are some other incentives to getting a hybrid vehicle now?

    Well, as you may have noticed already – oil is a very volatile commodity. Price shifts can send gasoline prices jumping or crashing overnight, but the general trend is the same as any increasingly scarce resource – upwards! As more people get their own vehicles and demand increases, the reliance on oil and gasoline will be phased out over time. By getting a hybrid vehicle, you can minimize the impact this has on you – especially if the majority of your driving consists of short commutes within a city, like it does for most of us.

    There’s much more to be said about the BMW i8 – and plenty of features to look at and admire as well. As always, if you find yourself in the driver’s seat, bring it down to Euroworks in Calgary for all your tune-ups, service, and specialized exotic car needs!