BMW i8 Coupe - Spy Shots

We get our best look yet at BMW’s high-performance plug-in hybrid.

By Nick Kurczewski / Photos by Brenda Priddy & Company

Little by little, the production version of the BMW i8 Coupe is coming more into focus, ahead of its launch in 2014. We’ve seen the car in concept form, most recently as a topless, 2-passenger model at the Beijing Auto Show. Prototypes spotted while undergoing road tests have looked strikingly similar to the concept that made its debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, wearing the cumbersome BMW Concept Vision Efficient Dynamicslabel. We’ve even been provided with a sneak peek of the car via a former senior designer at BMWDesignWorksUSA.

Porsche Performance, Prius Economy.

This latest i8 Coupe prototype is sporting swirly blue and white paint, and some (temporary) clunky rear taillights that are probably there simply for safety regulations. As we’ve noted, the shape of this i8 is remarkably similar to that of the concept car. Look closely, and you’ll spot some tiny supports connecting the dramatic-looking dual rear wings to each rear fender. That’s an excellent indication the design detail is being readied for production. According to a source at BMW, the i8 Coupe will also retain the concept car’s forward-opening, gullwing-style doors.

Mounted at the front of the i8 is a 131-hp electric motor, while a 223-bhp turbocharged 1.5-liter 3-cylinder gasoline engine is positioned behind the cabin and drives the rear wheels. Capable of running solely on electric power for approximately 20 miles, the i8 Coupe is expected to return approximately something in the region of 70 mpg. BMW also estimates the i8 Coupe can sprint from 0 to 62 mph in less than 5.0 seconds—not too shabby for a fuel-sipper!

We’re still waiting for pricing information, though it seems a range of $150,000 to $200,000 is more than likely when the i8 Coupe goes on sale.