No, the new, 2019 BMW i8 isn’t terribly different from the first one. It now has a longer electric range and a little extra power, but it’s still the same idea: A hybrid powertrain that you can drive in an all-electric mode. Also, who cares, because this thing looks freaking incredible. What do you want to know about it?
I have loved the BMW i8 ever since I first saw it at the 2013 Los Angeles Auto Show. I find it striking, I love its swoopy butterfly doors and I love that it looks the way it does since all other modern BMWs are thoroughly unremarkable. And this one is orange!
The i8 is now offered as a roadster as well, so the new i8 coupe carries some silver letter that spell out COUPE, in case you forget which one you have. It could happen to anyone.
I have yet to find a way to elegantly enter and exit this car because the sills are massive and the seats are low. You kind of just fall into and literally climb out of it. When the doors are open, you can see a bunch of carbon fiber detailing on the inner panels, though. That’s very neat.
The base price for the i8 is $147,500, but the press loaner has an option called the “Tera World Copper,” which includes black brake calipers, a leather engine cover and ceramic controls for an extra $3,700. Total cost then comes to $152,195.
Ask away!