PCOTY 2016: BMW i8 #9

DO you remember that TV show Towards 2000? I think it had to change its name to Beyond 2000 once the date ticked over…

Anyway, it was a telly show that previewed clever, expensive items that we were likely to see in the years to come. The BMW i8 – for me at least – falls squarely in this category.

Everything from its carbonfibre-reinforced plastic passenger cell on an alloy chassis, its modular construction, its unusual body styling and tricky swing doors, its small-but-well-formed pair of power sources – even its iPod-white and electric-blue colour scheme screams ‘science project’. It’s a very advanced science project, of course, and it’s the only hybrid on test here at PCOTY this week; a stat that’s sure to unwind in future events.

When the raw numbers are brought into it, though, what we have is a 1400kg-plus AWD 2+2 coupe with 266kW and 570Nm. In this company, the numbers aren’t knockout strong, and are somewhat limited by the size of the petrol engine – a 1.5-litre inline three-potter pinched from a MINI with a ginormous turbo whanged on it – and the electric motor that runs the front end.

Its relative lack of pace compared to the pointy end is immediately exposed at DECA, as is a lack of mechanical grip and steering feel. Its stability and traction control intervention, too, is very overt, killing the fun even in Sport mode.

Underneath all that, though, is a stiff, light chassis that’s just begging to be let off the electronic leash, something that is borne out across the Alps time and again. The electronically enhanced soundtrack is sufficiently well done as not to be a distraction, a (somewhat surprising) lack of gizmos keeps the experience pure, and being able to settle back an d select electric mode (albeit for well less than the prescribed 37km) gives the i8 a second life.

It’s all brought undone at the track again, though, as it just feels slow and safe and not very ‘feelsome’. It sounds great and is easy to drive, but there’s no edge or vibrancy. It comes back around to that idea of it being a science project. Look at the price of other performance-orientated hybrids out there – McLaren P1, Porsche 918 – and the i8 is a relative bargain.

Consider, too, that this is the first generation of the car, and BMW has gotten a lot of things very right. The i8 was found wanting in this year’s PCOTY, but don’t be surprised if another, much more focused version makes a start in a couple of years’ time.

THE SPECS
Engine: 1499cc inline-3, DOHC, 12v, turbo / hybrid synchronous motor
Power: 266kW @ 5800rpm
Torque: 566Nm @ 3700rpm
Weight: 1485kg
Gearbox: 6-speed automatic
Brakes: 340mm ventilated discs, 4-piston calipers (f); 340mm ventilated discs, single-piston calipers
Suspension: double A-arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar (f); multi-links, coil springs, anti-roll bar (r)
Wheels: 20x7.5-inch (f); 20x8.5-inch (r)
Tyres: 215/40 R20 95W (f) 245/40 R20 99W (r) Bridgestone Potenza S001
Price: $301,250

THE NUMBERS
0-100km/h: 4.60sec (4th)
0-400m: 12.70sec @ 183.90km/h (5th)
Lap Time: 1:38.9sec (7th)

JUDGES' RANKINGS
Dylan Campbell: 9th
“Super impressive car – and I think the coolest at PCOTY. Just still on its performance car P-plates”

David Morley: 8th
“What’s this? A hybrid that doesn’t immediately put me to sleep? I’m all ears”

Scott Newman: 8th
“Love it as a car, but fell short on outright performance and driver engagement. Great cruiser, though”

Tim Robson: 7th
“Overly intrusive electronics kill the fun, even in Sport mode, and it needs another 100kW”

Warren Luff: 9th
“It could clearly be made to go faster, but for what it’s designed to do, it scores an absolute 10/10”