We were blown away by the i8 on the international
launch but does the car’s wow factor translate onto the UK’s roads? We
travelled to Scotland to find out.
I should probably whisper this, but I don't really get
supercars. It's not something you're really meant to admit when one's a
motoring journalist but as far as I'm concerned you can keep your Bugattis,
Koenigseggs and modern Lamborghinis - they just don't float my boat. I'd be
much more inclined to sink my money into a classic supercar - show me an M1,
Miura or a 365 Berlinetta Boxer and I tend to go a little weak at the knees -
and as for the latest generation of million-pound hybrid machinery from the likes
of Porsche, McLaren and Ferrari, they just seem to be ridiculously overhyped
and overpriced.
I'd be much more
inclined to sink my money into a classic supercar - show me an M1, Miura or a
365 Berlinetta Boxer and I tend to go a little weak at the knees - and as for
the latest generation of million-pound hybrid machinery from the likes of
Porsche, McLaren and Ferrari, they just seem to be ridiculously overhyped and
overpriced.
So why is it that I'm champing at the bit to dive into the
cockpit of one of the i8s that are basking in the unexpected sunshine that's
currently gracing Inverness airport? It's a machine I've wanted to drive ever
since I first saw the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept that started doing the
motor show rounds back in 2009 and the main reason for this is that I simply
love the way it looks. I'm still stunned that BMW made the decision to build
it, doubly so as it still looks so dramatic, even if some of the styling has
been sanitized for the production version.
BMW Vision EfficientDynamics
is as exhilarating as its efficient, combining the performance of a BMW M Model
the fuel consumption and emissions of a modern small car.
Either way it's still a jaw-droopingly gorgeous machine and
the drama of the shape is even more pronounced now that you can see the car out
of the false surroundings of the motor show pedestal. In amongst other vehicles
it really does look a little bit like it's been dropped in from the set of the
latest futuristic sci-fi film. Everyone will have their own opinion on the
styling but for me it's virtually perfect and I don't think there's an angle,
curve or line on the car that I don't like. From its dramatic headlights to its
horseshoe-shaped rear lights and wild flying buttresses, I absolutely adore it.
BMW has whisked us off to Scotland to sample its latest, and
perhaps greatest, creation on some of the country's finest driving roads but
before we can clamber into the driver's seat we have a brief press conference
and once that's completed we're handed a set of keys and told to go and enjoy
ourselves.
From the press briefing it's obvious that there's more
technology packed into this car than the rest of the range put together so
before heading off to put it through its paces it's time to take stock of the
cockpit and controls.
Sleek
sports-coupe design, carbon-fiber construction and blistering acceleration may
cause automotive enthusiasts to drool, but the i8 has not been conceptualized,
engineered or assembled to be another one of BMW's world-class track stars.
Entry to the i8 is no less dramatic that the way the car
looks with the large but exceedingly light doors scissoring open after you've
flicked the catch hidden in the cavity behind the door. There are shades of Z1
about getting into the cabin as there's a very high carbon sill to be
negotiated and if you were wearing a short skirt or on the elderly side you
might struggle somewhat to complete the manoeuvre with a measure of decorum,
but once you've got in and out a couple of times you'll have worked out how to
do it without making a fool of yourself.
