And it's here:
http://jalopnik.com/2015-bmw-i8-the-jalopnik-review-1641783103 (http://jalopnik.com/2015-bmw-i8-the-jalopnik-review-1641783103)
I'd get this above anything else for the price. I'd go gigiddy every minute I drove it. So pissed I cannot afford it.
Awesome car, and it would be a tossup between this and a manual R8. I just can't get over the "trying to poop out a 911" thing. Once you see it...
(http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/uploads/bmw-i8-image1.jpg)
LOL
Quote from: Rockraven on October 07, 2014, 12:42:29 PM
Awesome car, and it would be a tossup between this and a manual R8. I just can't get over the "trying to poop out a 911" thing. Once you see it...
(http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/uploads/bmw-i8-image1.jpg)
Fuck. Thanks a lot. Cool as it is, I couldn't choose this over an R8.
Looks like this will be its closest competitor...
http://jalopnik.com/once-again-the-acura-nsx-targets-ferrari-for-a-fractio-1643380797 (http://jalopnik.com/once-again-the-acura-nsx-targets-ferrari-for-a-fractio-1643380797)
Quote from: Rockraven on October 07, 2014, 01:06:57 PM
Looks like this will be its closest competitor...
http://jalopnik.com/once-again-the-acura-nsx-targets-ferrari-for-a-fractio-1643380797 (http://jalopnik.com/once-again-the-acura-nsx-targets-ferrari-for-a-fractio-1643380797)
Yep. We'll see.
Hybrids are definitely the future. I just hope they can make them sound and drive nice
Back seats look pretty small :huh:.
Quote from: Rockraven on October 07, 2014, 12:42:29 PM
Awesome car, and it would be a tossup between this and a manual R8. I just can't get over the "trying to poop out a 911" thing. Once you see it...
(http://www.bmwblog.com/wp-content/uploads/bmw-i8-image1.jpg)
Goddammit
Eh
This car looks so much better in black and blue than silver. With silver, there are blue and black accents. Just too much going on. But in the other two colors, it looks a lot more cohesive.
I'm a fan. I'd like to know what kind of hybrid gas mileage it gets once you deplete the battery storage.
I'd rather all one colour. At least then you wouldn't notice the 911 peeking out its ass.
Dude I really can't see the back of the thing without noticing the 911 anymore
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on October 07, 2014, 01:15:12 PM
Hybrids are definitely the future. I just hope they can make them sound and drive nice
I think hybrids are very much the present. Fuel cells are the future.
Current infrastructure took a hundred years to develop. Switching to a completely new fuel will probably take, maybe 50. Plug in hybrids are the immediate future
Quote from: CALL_911 on October 07, 2014, 07:26:17 PM
Dude I really can't see the back of the thing without noticing the 911 anymore
Me too. Fuck you Nick.
Quote from: Rockraven on October 07, 2014, 07:25:30 PM
I'd rather all one colour. At least then you wouldn't notice the 911 peeking out its ass.
What the hell are you guys talking about?
Quote from: CALL_911 on October 07, 2014, 07:26:17 PM
Dude I really can't see the back of the thing without noticing the 911 anymore
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on October 07, 2014, 01:15:12 PM
Hybrids are definitely the future. I just hope they can make them sound and drive nice
Nah, hybrid/electric car market share has fallen, and that was before the recent gas price plunge which could dip below $3/gallon. The value for the Everyman just isn't there.
There is still tons more efficiency to be had in the IC-powered car whereas hybrids/electrics are much much closer to being tapped. Another 5-7 years and IC-only compacts will be getting a reliable 50 mpg and midsizers 40 mpg,
Quote from: MrH on October 07, 2014, 09:24:08 PM
What the hell are you guys talking about?
Enjoy your ignorance.
Ruined. It's like a 911 goatsee from behind.
It's kind of a cool car, but a gt3 is the same price. I wouldn't even consider it over a gt3.
Quote from: Rockraven on October 07, 2014, 12:42:29 PM
I just can't get over the "trying to poop out a 911" thing. Once you see it...
Oh, fuck you. :lol:
I've always thought the i8 looks like a Mitsubishi Eclipse from 2020.
Not really feeling it, or the i3 exterior wise. But interior, I absolutely love the i3. Not sure about the i8.
This thing looks awesome from the side and there are some cool details, but it's trying too hard. And now the 911 turtlehead thing just highlights how goofy they're getting with their styling.
But man, from the side, it looks amazing.
(http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/qwtnt3rikasgu6uiw7su.jpg)
I saw two of them yesterday within seconds of one another. A black and light blue one, and a black and white one.
Quote from: Raza on October 08, 2014, 05:06:52 AM
This thing looks awesome from the side and there are some cool details, but it's trying too hard. And now the 911 turtlehead thing just highlights how goofy they're getting with their styling.
But man, from the side, it looks amazing.
(http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/qwtnt3rikasgu6uiw7su.jpg)
Too much dewlap.
2x the cost of a C7 or M4, or roughly the cost of a 911 turbo ... For what? All that fiber but it's still not that light. I'd be worried about reliability/service/maintenance costs and resale value (and I don't normally care about resale) as it ages.
I don't see the point.
Quote from: GoCougs on October 07, 2014, 09:37:54 PM
Nah, hybrid/electric car market share has fallen, and that was before the recent gas price plunge which could dip below $3/gallon. The value for the Everyman just isn't there.
There is still tons more efficiency to be had in the IC-powered car whereas hybrids/electrics are much much closer to being tapped. Another 5-7 years and IC-only compacts will be getting a reliable 50 mpg and midsizers 40 mpg,
Market share isn't everything, and doesnt take into account that the whole market is growing too.
And your projections are probably off by about 10-20 years if that.
Quote from: Lebowski on October 08, 2014, 07:29:00 AM
2x the cost of a C7 or M4, or roughly the cost of an 911 turbo ... For what? All that fiber but it's still not that light. I don't see the point.
U get a 911 for free
Quote from: Raza on October 08, 2014, 05:06:52 AM
This thing looks awesome from the side and there are some cool details, but it's trying too hard.
But man, from the side, it looks amazing.
I actually think the side profil is the most problematic.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on October 08, 2014, 07:30:39 AM
U get a 911 for free
:lol: It just hasn't been pooped out yet.
Seriously, you guys completely ruined the look of this car for me now.
Quote from: MrH on October 08, 2014, 09:13:49 AM
:lol: It just hasn't been pooped out yet.
Seriously, you guys completely ruined the look of this car for me now.
It goes away after a few days.
Quote from: Lebowski on October 08, 2014, 07:29:00 AM
2x the cost of a C7 or M4, or roughly the cost of a 911 turbo ... For what? All that fiber but it's still not that light. I'd be worried about reliability/service/maintenance costs and resale value (and I don't normally care about resale) as it ages.
I don't see the point.
It's a halo car. It's very different in its approach to anything else on the market except hypercars that cost 10x as much.
It looks as exotic if not more than those hypercars and has very similar technology (except for the total amount of hp).
I wouldn't worry about resale, it will be rare and part of the "first generation" of sports full plug-in hybrids. Future collectible (many years away though). Reliability, well, it's a MINI 3 pot in the back and an electric motor in front. Carbon fiber and aluminium will last forever and never rust. Just don't crash. Ever.
I love the tech and the nerdness of it. I am 100% sure I'd have more fun driving this than any alternative every day. Only on track days would I regret getting it.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on October 08, 2014, 07:29:47 AM
Market share isn't everything, and doesnt take into account that the whole market is growing too.
And your projections are probably off by about 10-20 years if that.
Market share is a lot however esp. in indicating trends. If the USDM was shrinking (i.e., likely due to some sort of financial calamity) hybrid/electric market share would have likely fallen even further since they cost more than average and their fundamental value proposition is not financial.
10-20 years? Nah, the new gen compacts are now in the low 40s and midsizers into the low 30s, and the path to doing better is easy - less weight, CVT/more gears, higher CR, better engine design, tech like start/stop and cylinder deactivation, electric accessories, improved tire tech, etc.
Quote from: MexicoCityM3 on October 08, 2014, 09:28:04 AM
It goes away after a few days.
That's good. My dogs' poops can take weeks to fully break down.
Quote from: GoCougs on October 08, 2014, 10:07:22 AM
Market share is a lot however esp. in indicating trends. If the USDM was shrinking (i.e., likely due to some sort of financial calamity) hybrid/electric market share would have likely fallen even further since they cost more than average and their fundamental value proposition is not financial.
Prius US market share peaked in 2009, I dont have the time to look into it further or draw conclusions. Maybe Prius buyers have more $$$ and kept buying, who the f knows.
Quote from: GoCougs on October 08, 2014, 10:07:22 AM10-20 years? Nah, the new gen compacts are now in the low 40s and midsizers into the low 30s, and the path to doing better is easy - less weight, CVT/more gears, higher CR, better engine design, tech like start/stop and cylinder deactivation, electric accessories, improved tire tech, etc.
New gen compacts are barely grazing 40 highway. Lower weight is offset by cars growing (i.e. today's Civic = yesterday's Accord), and to a large degree cars are not getting lighter (modern Civic = ~2900lbs, 20 year old Accord = ~2900 lbs). Over the last 3-4 years companies have tapped heavily into most available techs (CVTs, DI, active aero, start stop etc) largely to beat... dun dun dunnnnnn... govt regs on emissions and fuel economy. Accord was averaging a 1 MPG combined increase each generation from 1990-2007, then from the 8th gen to the 9th gen it jumped 6 MPG. Why? Honda threw DI & CVT at it, most likely after Obama signed the new CAFE regs into place in 2010 when the current Accord was in design. W/o that u can bet ur bottom dollar the current Accord would probably still have a 5AT and the trusty old port injected K24, making a combined 24-25 MPG instead of its current 30 ;)
If its so "easy".... where do you think Honda can pull another 6 MPG from for the next generation, without making the car smaller (again) or going full hybrid? OEMs were coasting on fuel economy up till the recession... we are not going to see another leap like we did over the last ~5 yrs as there is no more low hanging fruit.
Quote from: Galaxy on October 08, 2014, 09:01:11 AM
I actually think the side profil is the most problematic.
It looks very FWD.
I'm missing the point of an "exotic" with just average power and performance for a shit ton of money.
Quote from: r0tor on October 08, 2014, 06:16:22 PM
I'm missing the point of an "exotic" with just average power and performance for a shit ton of money.
350 HP is average :confused:
I got this month's MT issue last night for their Best Driver's Car review. Maybe hybrids are not the future of performance. This thing drained its battery in like 3 laps at Laguna Seca. Mind you that is a pretty slow, turn focused track. It would prob drain the battery over 1 lap of VIR
Quote from: Raza on October 08, 2014, 08:32:49 PM
Dewlap?
Excessive folds of skin. Perhaps it has some aerodynamic purpose, but it looks crappy.
(http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--BpBJ0pL5--/amuhpurvzwihvfdqsnh9.jpg)
Quote from: FoMoJo on October 09, 2014, 06:57:45 AM
Excessive folds of skin. Perhaps it has some aerodynamic purpose, but it looks crappy.
(http://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media/image/upload/s--BpBJ0pL5--/amuhpurvzwihvfdqsnh9.jpg)
This car will be a bitch to wash and wax.
Quote from: Raza on October 08, 2014, 04:51:20 PM
:confused:
The A-pillar is very close to the front wheel, and the wheel/cowl relationship reminds me of a good proportioned FWD coupe. There's also a fair amount of front overhang for a car that (doesn't?) have an engine up front.
I couldn't imagine trying to wash this thing after a rain storm or after driving it in the snow.
Quote from: SVT666 on October 09, 2014, 08:30:07 AM
I couldn't imagine trying to wash this thing after a rain storm or after driving it in the snow.
Quote from: Rockraven on October 09, 2014, 07:12:40 AM
This car will be a bitch to wash and wax.
It's a 130K car. The owner most likely can afford to have it washed.
The FWD thing is not that weird. Mid engine cars tend to have a lot of front overhang and cab forward cabins... like FWD cars. There have been FWD cars intentionally styled like mid engine sports cars... biggies that come to mind are the 92-96 Prelude and Civic Del Sol.
I'm really bummed about the battery thing. The scary thing is this thing has a 5kWh battery... the LaFerrari's battery is 2.3kWh, the McLaren P1's is 4.7kWh.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on October 09, 2014, 06:13:04 AM
350 HP is average :confused:
I got this month's MT issue last night for their Best Driver's Car review. Maybe hybrids are not the future of performance. This thing drained its battery in like 3 laps at Laguna Seca. Mind you that is a pretty slow, turn focused track. It would prob drain the battery over 1 lap of VIR
Randy Prost of 1M hating fame however did say that this was the car he enjoyed the most or something of that sort. It's not a track car.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on October 09, 2014, 08:32:41 AM
The FWD thing is not that weird. Mid engine cars tend to have a lot of front overhang and cab forward cabins... like FWD cars. There have been FWD cars intentionally styled like mid engine sports cars... biggies that come to mind are the 92-96 Prelude and Civic Del Sol.
I'm really bummed about the battery thing. The scary thing is this thing has a 5kWh battery... the LaFerrari's battery is 2.3kWh, the McLaren P1's is 4.7kWh.
It's not as if these cars turn into pumpkins when the battery goes.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on October 09, 2014, 08:32:41 AM
There have been FWD cars intentionally styled like mid engine sports cars... biggies that come to mind are the 92-96 Prelude and Civic Del Sol.
I might give you the Del Sol, but you're smoking crack in saying the Prelude looks anything mid engined.
A good example would be the Cadillac ELR, and more specifically the Converj Concept.
Quote from: MexicoCityM3 on October 09, 2014, 08:34:08 AM
It's not as if these cars turn into pumpkins when the battery goes.
Actually they do. McLaren stated that the P1 is virtually undriveable without the electric motors because the turbo lag is horrific.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on October 09, 2014, 06:13:04 AM
350 HP is average :confused:
I got this month's MT issue last night for their Best Driver's Car review. Maybe hybrids are not the future of performance. This thing drained its battery in like 3 laps at Laguna Seca. Mind you that is a pretty slow, turn focused track. It would prob drain the battery over 1 lap of VIR
350hp...
For an exotic it's anemic
For a sports car its average
For a family sedan its a bit above average
For a $130k car, its well below average...
Quote from: r0tor on October 09, 2014, 01:18:12 PM
350hp...
For an exotic it's anemic
For a sports car its average
For a family sedan its a bit above average
For a $130k car, its well below average...
From what I remember, at full power it hits 0-60 in the high 3s. It hits .91gs on shitty 195/215 F/R eco tires... on actual performance tires sized for the car's weight it would easily clear 1g. And there are no other plug in EV sports cars. Only legit gripe IMO is its charge runs out after like 8 miles of track driving... but when its charged its as fast as a 911 or w/e.
Strange that an RX-8 driver is complaining about not enough HP :evildude: Better this thing have a good chassis and adequate speed than be an overpowered dynamic mess like an F-Type R. U can always add more power, u can't fix a mismatched bad chassis
If an RX8 cost over $100k I would expect it to have some power
A 911 Carrera makes 350HP and is half a second slower to 60
350HP is fine for a carbon fiber plug in hybrid
Quote from: SVT666 on October 09, 2014, 12:23:11 PM
Actually they do. McLaren stated that the P1 is virtually undriveable without the electric motors because the turbo lag is horrific.
The owners will just take their wheelbarrows full of money to the McLaren factory and buy a new battery. Who gives a shit?
Quote from: MexicoCityM3 on October 09, 2014, 08:31:26 AM
It's a 130K car. The owner most likely can afford to have it washed.
Yeah, if you're buying this, you're probably not washing it yourself.
Quote from: 2o6 on October 09, 2014, 10:41:40 AM
I might give you the Del Sol, but you're smoking crack in saying the Prelude looks anything mid engined.
A good example would be the Cadillac ELR, and more specifically the Converj Concept.
It looks like a mid-engine car. Which isn't surprising, because it's a mid-engine car.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5f/Toyota_MR2_W2_Baujahr_1992_in_8J2_mica_blue_metallic.JPG)
(http://smgmedia.blob.core.windows.net/images/112470/1024/ferrari-360-coupe-petrol_7831346.jpg)
(http://www.carnewschina.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/ferrari-f430-china-2.jpg?109b36)
(http://www.esquire.com/cm/esquire/images/wY/esq-19-used-cars-porsche-mdn.jpg)
(http://cdn-www.rsportscars.com/images/audi/audi-r8-tdi-le-mans-concept/audi-r8-tdi-lemans-concept-profile.jpg)
(http://i0.wp.com/hypebeast.com/image/2013/09/a-closer-look-at-the-bmw-i8-3.jpg?w=1410)
Unless you want to tell me that all of them look like front wheel drive cars, I don't know what the fuck you're talking about.
Lol...
http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/the-i8-secret-bmw-doesnt-want-you-to-know-1644919816/+travis (http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/the-i8-secret-bmw-doesnt-want-you-to-know-1644919816/+travis)
Quote from: Raza on October 09, 2014, 09:00:28 PM
It looks like a mid-engine car. Which isn't surprising, because it's a mid-engine car.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5f/Toyota_MR2_W2_Baujahr_1992_in_8J2_mica_blue_metallic.JPG)
(http://smgmedia.blob.core.windows.net/images/112470/1024/ferrari-360-coupe-petrol_7831346.jpg)
(http://www.carnewschina.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/ferrari-f430-china-2.jpg?109b36)
(http://www.esquire.com/cm/esquire/images/wY/esq-19-used-cars-porsche-mdn.jpg)
(http://cdn-www.rsportscars.com/images/audi/audi-r8-tdi-le-mans-concept/audi-r8-tdi-lemans-concept-profile.jpg)
(http://i0.wp.com/hypebeast.com/image/2013/09/a-closer-look-at-the-bmw-i8-3.jpg?w=1410)
Unless you want to tell me that all of them look like front wheel drive cars, I don't know what the fuck you're talking about.
MR and FF coupes can often times share similar proportions.
The i8 reminds me of a FWD coupe, Eclipse, etc. Short cowl, very short hood, things that are dictated by the fact there's an engine hanging over the front axle among other other packaging reasons.
I'll have to see it in person, but I'm not digging it.
Very short hood in fwd cars? Really?
Quote from: MexicoCityM3 on October 10, 2014, 07:51:13 PM
Very short hood in fwd cars? Really?
(http://images.thecarconnection.com/lrg/2010-honda-civic-coupe-2-door-auto-lx-side-exterior-view_100243221_l.jpg)
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on October 10, 2014, 08:49:37 PM
(http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj593/MexicoCityM3/c2683fe9eaab6b2f75fbc4fd418ac380_zpsb0c710ae.jpg)
(http://www.carstyling.ru/resources/classic/large/1934-57_Citroen_Traction_01.jpg)
(http://ragbrai.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/IMG_0249.jpg)
:huh:
Modern FWD coupes tend to have shapes that look MR. The Peugeot RCZ, the Audi TT, the Honda Civic, they are all super cab forward with short noses and could be MR :huh:
Cab-forward is a styling trend easiest to pull off with a FF (or MR/RR) drivetrain layout. FWD does not inherently create or force a cab-forward design.
Quote from: MX793 on October 11, 2014, 07:53:19 AM
Cab-forward is a styling trend easiest to pull off with a FF (or MR/RR) drivetrain layout. FWD does not inherently create or force a cab-forward design.
Imo, cab-forward is less of a styling trend than the result of efficient packaging in FWD vehicles...the advent of vehicles as appliances.
Quote from: MX793 on October 11, 2014, 07:53:19 AM
Cab-forward is a styling trend easiest to pull off with a FF (or MR/RR) drivetrain layout. FWD does not inherently create or force a cab-forward design.
It's definitely prevalent today... Mazda is probably the only company making small FWD cars with long noses.
Quote from: FoMoJo on October 11, 2014, 08:28:41 AM
Imo, cab-forward is less of a styling trend than the result of efficient packaging in FWD vehicles...the advent of vehicles as appliances.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on October 11, 2014, 09:02:30 AM
It's definitely prevalent today... Mazda is probably the only company making small FWD cars with long noses.
It is indeed a nod towards packaging efficiency as much as it is about styling. It allows more interior space for a given footprint. Its prevalence is a reflection on the consumer demand for better interior efficiency, especially in more congested markets (like Europe and Asia).
Quote from: MX793 on October 11, 2014, 09:22:46 AM
It is indeed a nod towards packaging efficiency as much as it is about styling. It allows more interior space for a given footprint. Its prevalence is a reflection on the consumer demand for better interior efficiency, especially in more congested markets (like Europe and Asia).
I suppose there is some attempt to mimic current styling trends, but there is nothing to excite...
(http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/toyota/corolla/1999/oem/1999_toyota_corolla_sedan_le_fq_oem_1_500.jpg)
(http://images.thecarconnection.com/med/2015-toyota-corolla_100474632_m.jpg)
The i8 could look like this?:
(http://i0.wp.com/hypebeast.com/image/2013/09/a-closer-look-at-the-bmw-i8-3.jpg?w=1410)
That is gorgeous.
If they had showed this car in all black from the start, I think they might have people lining up.
When I win the lottery, it will be the third car on my list. Or maybe second.
Quote from: MX793 on October 11, 2014, 07:53:19 AM
Cab-forward is a styling trend easiest to pull off with a FF (or MR/RR) drivetrain layout. FWD does not inherently create or force a cab-forward design.
Packaging and market dictates a more space efficient design these days, which generally means stubbier hoods and shorter noses. You still at the end of the day have to meet the needs of your clientele.
Quote from: MexicoCityM3 on October 10, 2014, 09:11:13 PM
(http://i1269.photobucket.com/albums/jj593/MexicoCityM3/c2683fe9eaab6b2f75fbc4fd418ac380_zpsb0c710ae.jpg)
You do know how large the engine is, and which way it's oriented right? In a transverse FWD setup all that hood is unnecessary.
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on October 11, 2014, 09:02:30 AM
It's definitely prevalent today... Mazda is probably the only company making small FWD cars with long noses.
The only car with a long nose is probably the Mazda 2 (which is stupid) and the Mazda 3 (which is dictated by the fact it's a cut down Mazda 6). The Mazda 6 is about normal.
Mazda 6 isn't a small FWD car :)
I talked to BMW Mexico corporate and got them to send their only i8 to our club track event this Saturday.
Will post review.