Used 2014 BMW i8 Base for sale 

The BMW i8 coupe is offered in a single trim level along with a single powertrain and drivetrain options as well. The price of the coupe starts at a hefty $135,700 and features a long list of features. The list of features starts off with big 20-inch wheels and continues with adjustable suspension, LED exterior lighting, automatic headlights and wipers, front and rear park assist, an overhead camera view system, auto-dimming mirrors, keyless entry and ignition, leather upholstery, power front seats, heated front seats, a tilt-and-telescoping leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic climate control, memory settings and a head-up display. The standard electronics inside the cabin include a navigation system, BMW's iDrive electronics interface, Bluetooth phone, and audio connectivity along with BMW Assist, Internet accessibility, a Harman Kardon sound system, a USB/iPod interface, satellite radio, and HD radio. 

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Since the coupe is only offered in a single trim there are no choices. However, you can equip your car better with the optional packages which are Giga World, Tera World, and Pure Impulse World. All of them are cosmetic and trim upgrades and don't come with any performance improvements.

The BMW i8 coupe is powered by a hybrid powertrain consisting of a 1.5liter three-cylinder turbocharged motor and a 98kW electric motor. The car can be driven in a gasoline-only mode as well as an electric-only mode too but the latter has a very limited driving range. The gasoline motor powers the rear wheels of the coupe while the electric motor is fitted at the front axles.

When combined, the power output reaches 357 horsepower and 420lb-ft of torque. In general, the powertrain feels peppy and has adequate performance but when compared to its rivals, the power figure pales. Apart from that, the coupe handles like a true sports car but the brakes can give a spongy effect owing to the regenerative braking system. The powertrain is capable of making the coupe hit 60mph from a standstill within 4.3 seconds which is about average for a car of its segment.

The Audi R8 has a much higher horsepower rating than the i8 but a surprisingly lower torque rating owing to the lack of electric assistance that the i8 has. The Porsche 911 has equal horsepower rating to the R8 but has a higher torque output than the latter which is still lower than the I8’s output.

The BMW i8 is a sports car at its heart and despite being a hybrid vehicle, it delivers a mediocre mileage. The city mileage of the coupe is rated at 28mpg while the highway mileage is rated at 29. The combined mileage is set at 28mpg.

The Audi R8 has a below average fuel economy partly due to its motor configuration and power figure. The Porsche 911 does an excellent job by returning some respectable mileage figures as compared to the Audi R8 and the i8.

To step inside the i8, you need to make some efforts owing to the weird design of the cabin. After the butterfly doors have fully swung open, you need to sit on the high sill and slide into the driver’s seat and then stretch your arms to close the door. It is not a deal-breaker though, since you’ll get used to it in a short period of time.

The cabin is made out of recycled materials and the surfaces are treated with premium quality leather as well. The power-adjustable seats offer excellent support for tall drivers over 6 feet for a long as well as short distance. The center console is leaned towards the driver so reaching the controls is not a tough task at all. The rear seats are barely usable for seating purposes apart from keeping luggage. The trunk space is terribly low at 5.4cu-ft which will compel you to keep some of your luggage or bags on the rear seats.

The Audi R8 has a much better and conventional cabin with adequate comfort for the driver and the co-passenger. The Porsche 911 has the most plush cabin among the three on the list along with adequate comfort features as well.

Infotainment

The infotainment system is none other than BMW’s iconic iDrive interface. The system offers a lot of features such as a navigation system, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, BMW Assist, Internet accessibility and a Harman Kardon sound system with a USB/iPod interface, satellite radio and HD radio.

Other standard features include smartphone connectivity apps or BMW Apps and BMW Remote services which offer the convenience of locking the car remotely and turn on the climate control among other functions to Android and Apple users.

Infotainment features of the coupe are:

• iDrive electronics interface
• Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity
• Internet accessibility
• Harman Kardon sound system
• USB/iPod interface
• Satellite radio and HD radio

At a first glance, the BMW i8 might look like a vehicle right out from a sci-fi film. Even though the coupe has some traditional BMW styling such as the kidney grille, the overall design is almost new to the BMW family, introduced through the “i” series of vehicles.

There are ample sharp styling cues with tasteful blue accents and attractive wing-like fins at the rear-end. The wheels are taller than average with aerodynamically efficient design to reduce the drag and enhance fuel efficiency.

The Audi R8 features an aggressive styling with an angry-looking front end and an overall lower stance to enhance airflow for aerodynamic purposes. The Porsche 911 comes with traditional Porsche styling but looks quite handsome but doesn’t have any sharp styling like the R8 or the i8.

The BMW i8 has not been tested by any of the crash testing agencies owing to its super-high price tag and low sales volume. Despite that, the car is equipped with almost all the modern safety features such as anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control, front side airbags, and side curtain airbags. BMW Assist emergency communications are also standard and add an automatic crash notification, stolen vehicle recovery, and on-demand roadside assistance along with parking sensors and an around car view camera system.

Safety features of the coupe are:

• Anti-lock brakes
• Traction and stability control
• BMW assist
• Curtain airbags
• Parking sensors
• Around car view camera system

The BMW i8 is a truly unique and attractive offering from the german brand and comes with an excellent design. The only thing that bogs down its practicality is its hefty price tag and a mediocre performance as compared to its similarly priced rivals on the market.