Used 2017 BMW i8 Base for sale 

There's only one trim for the 2017 BMW i8, with 2+2 seating. The base trim starts with an MSRP of $143,400, while the packages cost extra. The 2017 BMW i8 remains a distinguished sports car with an appealing eco-friendly inclination.

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We would recommend the base BMW i8 plug-in hybrid trim as there's no other trim for this model. The single trim is equipped with a 1.5L DOHC Turbo 3-Cylinder/Electric motor engine, which puts out 357 hp of maximum power and 420 lb-ft of maximum torque while being mated to a 6-Speed automatic transmission.

Powering the 2017 i8 is a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor. There's a 7.1-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The gasoline engine drives the rear wheels via six-speed automatic transmission, while the electric motor that sends power to the front wheels comes integrated with a two-speed automatic. Together, these power sources churn out 357 hp and 420 pound-feet of peak torque. The engine is configured with an all-wheel-drive setup.

The Audi is the most powerful of the bunch, with 540hp of power output, followed by the Porsche with 420 hp and the i8 at third place with 357 horsepower. When it comes to torque, the BMW’s hybrid powertrain has the most, which is 420 lb-ft, followed by the R8 with 398 lb-ft and the Porsche with 368 lb-ft. The BMW’s smaller engine matching up with the gasoline super engines of the competition is a great engineering marvel by BMW.

Acceleration

The acceleration is impressive in Sport mode when the i8 uses the power of the gasoline engine. It reaches 60mph in 4.2 seconds and crosses the quarter-mile in 12.6 seconds.

The electric-only power manages to deliver instant torque but fails to match the zero to 60 mph run record as the all-power sources. In the eDrive mode, the BMW i8 uses the gas engine for certain intervals if the accelerator pedal is applied completely.

The BMW i8's 1.5-liter powertrain takes it to 60 MPH in 4.2 seconds. While the Porsche 911 Carrera S PDK does 0-60 MPH in 3.9 seconds and Audi R8 does the same in 4.0 seconds. The Audi R8 is the fastest when it comes to quarter mile times, the R8 crosses the quarter-mile in 10.9 seconds, followed by the Porsche in 11.8 seconds, whereas the i8 takes 12.6 seconds to achieve the same feat.

How well does the BMW i8 Ride and Handle?

Handling the 2017 i8 is quite exceptional as the car gets an equally balanced weight and a low center of gravity. The adjustable suspension system allows you to firmly dial up the sport settings for going through long routes. You may also use the standard settings for getting through the poor pavements.

How good are the brakes on the BMW i8?

The BMW i8 comes with 13.4-inch rotors in the front and 13.0-inch ones in the back, offering really impressive braking for stopping the car really fast. It only takes 108 ft. to stop from 60mph. The brakes offer good bite and are progressive and consistent.

Compared to the competition, the Porsche has the best stopping distance of 103 ft, which is better than the i8, which takes 108 ft. for the same by a significant margin. The Audi R8 takes 111 ft to stop from 60mph. The braking capabilities vary in all of the competition, but all of them do offer great braking.

The BMW i8 delivers very impressive fuel economy. The EPA estimates for 2017 i8 include 15 miles for sole-electric range and a combined fuel economy of 28 mpg. The total driving range is estimated at 330 miles. The variant with both gas and electric is estimated at 76 mpg (miles per gallon equivalent). 

The Audi R8 offers fuel efficiency of 14 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the highway. Meanwhile, the Porsche 911 Carrera S PDK delivers fuel efficiency of 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. When it comes to fuel capacity, the R8 has the biggest tank of 19.3 gallons, followed by the Porsche with 17.9-gallon capacity, and then comes the i8 with an 11.1-gallon tank.

Once you get inside the i8, you'll notice an advanced and sculpted interior. It is pretty comfy for two people. Though the i8 comes with a rear seat, it turns out to be of no use for passengers.

Due to the steeply raked windshield and thick A-pillar, the visibility has been compromised. The scissor doors are cool to touch. The blue accent work is delightful with a couple of led lighting around the cabin. The floating center screen nod gives it a premium appeal.

It is a simple interior, some might find it to be too simple and plain. The BMW i8 has interior space on par with the rivals. The front row dimensions are comparable and competitive with others of the segment. Audi is the only car on the table which offers a seating for two, while the other two competitors come as 4-seaters as standard.

Infotainment

The 8.8-inch touchscreen with the usual iDrive UI infotainment screen displays the surrounding view of the car and the rearview camera. For audio, it comes with an 11-speaker, 360-watt Harman Kardon surround-sound system. It also comes fitted with front and rear park distance control.

The infotainment system is intuitive, but the specific menu screen makes it slow to respond at times. You'll witness more connectivity options while the power points are limited to a single USB port and a 12-volt outlet. Some of the major infotainment features are as follows:

• 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment unit
• 11-speaker, 360-watt Harman Kardon surround-sound system
• Bluetooth Audio and Phone
• Navigation Points of interest
• Real-time traffic
• Real-time weather
• Voice command
• USB

Cargo Space

You'll not find much cargo space in the rear as space has been compromised with the design styling. There's negligible room for small luggage. You won't even find storage in the front. Since the back seats are narrow, you can use them as storage instead of seating. The i8 is most practical for two people.

The Audi R8 has the most amount of cargo space which is 8 cu-ft, followed by the Porsche’s meager 5.1 cu-ft, and then comes the i8 with an even lower 4.7 cu-ft of cargo capacity. Even the Audi doesn’t offer much space, but for a supercar that is some usable amount of space, while both others are just joking.

The 2018 BMW i8 is capable of drawing lots of attention with its distinguished design styling. You'll find many onlookers taking pictures with the striking "bird wing" doors. Packages available with the i8 offer a unique package of design and advanced technology.

The coupe looks futuristic with the unique pair of narrow fin trials flowing through the back edges. The i8's face gets a twin-kidney grille with a blue accent highlight, while other parts of the front, rear, and door sills receive shiny piano black color.

The Audi weighs the most at 3,737 lbs, followed by the i8 at 3,544 lbs and then comes the Porsche at just 3219 lbs. The i8 is the longest and widest of the bunch. It also has the most ground clearance of 4.6 inches, while the Audi has 4.5” leaving Porsche at the last spot with 4.4 inches.

The 2017 BMW i8 comes equipped with a lot of advanced safety features as standard, including Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags, Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Seat-Mounted Side Airbags, and Driver And Passenger Knee Airbags, along with an Airbag Occupancy Sensor. ABS and driveline traction control are also standard features, while innovative safety tech like Electronic Stability Control (ESC), Forward Collision, and Rear Collision Alert, All Side Cameras are also incorporated in the BMW i8. Few key features include-

• Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
• ABS And Driveline Traction Control
• Side Impact Beams
• BMW Assist eCall Emergency S.O.S
• Front And Rear Parking Sensors
• Forward Collision and Rear Collision
• Tire Specific Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Airbag Occupancy Sensor
• Outboard Front Lap And Shoulder Safety Belts -inc: Pretensioners
• Back-Up Camera
• All Side Camera

2017 BMW i8 vs Audi R8

The BMW i8 and the Audi R8 are the flagship models for the German automakers from Munich and Ingolstadt, respectively. Both are supercars built by companies at the top of their games, but they take extremely different approaches to how they make their performance.

The i8 has technology no other car under a million dollars has, it's made mostly from carbon fiber, it's all-wheel drive, and it's mid-engined. Many also believe that i8 has exotic looks just like the R8, yet the R8 will certainly win in a straight line comparison.

2017 BMW i8 vs Porsche 911 Carrera S PDK

If you're buying a sports car, the ultimate driving thrills will be at the top of your shopping list - and in this respect, the 911 Carrera remains unrivaled.

With its agile and adjustable handling, strong performance, and scintillating soundtrack, Porsche is one of the most engaging and involving cars money can buy. However, the hi-tech i8 shows that the 911 will have to evolve if it wants to stay on top in the future.

The dual nature of i8 is the most interesting thing to see. The coupe is offering emission-free and notable handling dynamics that a sports car buyer seeks. Perhaps, the only disappointing factor for i8 is longer distances. BMW i8 is limited by its driving range. When driven through protracted periods, the petrol engine fails to recharge the battery fast enough. You may feel frustrated with no performance on long roads. The majority of BMW i8 buyers will get attracted to its design philosophy. This is one of few gas-electric hybrid cars that can be considered right from the heart.