The 2015 BMW i8 is the second revolutionary plug-in car from the carmaker’s ‘i’ sub-brand, which aims for nothing less than reinventing the automobile for a new and more energy-efficient world. It’s a two-seat sport coupe with swing-up doors; its body shell, made of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), rides on an aluminum chassis that absorbs frontal crash energy and houses not one but two powertrains.

The BMW i8 is plenty complex as it sits. Up front, an electric motor rated at 96 kilowatts (131 horsepower) and 184 lb-ft of torque is used for all-electric running at speeds up to 75 mph. It’s powered by a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack with a usable energy capacity of about 5 kilowatt-hours that’s mounted in the tunnel between the seats, giving the entire car a low, sleek profile.

In the rear, the i8 will be the first BMW to use the company”s new 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, rated at 231 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. (It’s also used in the new third-generation MINI Cooper, in a slightly lower state of tune.) The engine drives the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.

The styling of the i8 has elements of traditional BMW, including the twin-kidney grilles at the front, but it also introduces elements unique to the BMW ‘i’ family. These include a groove between the upper and lower rear bodywork, wing-like fins at the rear, and blue trim accents. The ‘i’ cars also have unusually tall wheels and tires (20-inch wheels are standard on the i8) to cut aerodynamic drag by narrowing the area of the tire between the car’s underside and the ground..

Inside, the floating instrument pod and ultra-modern–almost Scandinavian–design are simple, but made of unusual materials including reclaimed wood veneer and fabrics using recycled fiber content. The driver and passenger sit low, as in any sports car, with the tall tunnel for the battery pack between them. The highly contoured lightweight seats proved comfortable for most occupants, though we’ll be curious to learn whether that’s the case over longer trips.

In addition to the three driving modes–Max E-Mode, Comfort, and Sport–the first two can be driven using the EcoPro function, which increase efficiency and range by capping acceleration and other energy uses.

Among the features offered on BMW i8 cars in some markets are the world’s first laser headlights–where they’re legally permitted–with LED headlights fitted elsewhere.

The 2015 BMW i8 will arrive at U.S. dealers in September 2014, with a base price of $135,700, which includes the mandatory delivery fee.

producer: bmw
period: 2014