BMW's plug-in hybrid i8 is engaging, but not worth the price

[MUSIC] [MUSIC] This is the 2017 BMW i8. And while it might look like a super car, with these aggressive body lines, scissors doors and laser headlights, under the hood it's more of a plug-in hybrid that's got a little bit more eco pro, that it does eco go. [MUSIC] [MUSIC] [SOUND] There's a lot of carbon fiber reinforced plastic in this car, along with weight savings from a magnesium instrument [UNKNOWN] and support structure. So the final weight is 3285 pounds. Now when you compare that to, say, a Tesla Model S, which can weigh up to 5000 pounds, Yeah, the BMW's definitely winning the weight game. Still, it takes one horsepower to motivate 9.2 pounds of this car. [MUSIC] The EPA gives the I8 an MPGE rating of 76 when in hybrid mode, or 28 combined when you're just using the gas motor. for 32.6 combined. So yes, go green. [MUSIC] You can toddle along in the default comfort mode or you can press eco pro which will modulate your electronics all in the name of battery savings. There's even an eDrive which will give you 22 miles of all-electric driving at speeds of up to 75 miles an hour. Now in those modes, it's just kind of blech and the steering's kind of floppy. The suspension's pretty soft It's not bad, it's just not very fun. But when you flip this guy into sport mode, That is where the fun is. [MUSIC] The I8 has got new [UNKNOWN] Weight distribution, loads of grip, and a super savvy transmission. When it gets up to speed, there is plenty of mid range torque, the brakes are grabby like they're in a lot of hybrids, I mean, it is just so much fun and the twist Sees. The problem is that it takes forever to get up to that speed. Let me show you, let me show you. Hang on, let me show you. I'm gonna put my foot to wide open throttle, and we're not gonna go anywhere. And go, wide open, wide open. Wait, there we are. Okay, I You see, did you know the 60 time is 4.2 seconds and that's nothing to shake us [UNKNOWN] but the way this car [UNKNOWN] and [UNKNOWN] cost over $140,000. I mean, I can get a Porsche [UNKNOWN] for half of that Which gets me 0 to 60 in 4.4 seconds, and it's still super fun to drive and really engaging. [BLANK_AUDIO] Inside you'll find a stunning futuristic cabin that is right out of Tron, but what you're not gonna find is visibility, storage, or room for four despite this two plus two configuration. I mean, this back seat It's good enough for your enemies only. Got a steeply raked windshield plus a super thick a pillar. You better be good with god before you start trying to turn left. That's all I have to say. And when it comes to luggage well it's small duffel bags only. You know, I can live with the impracticality of this car and I can even live with the lower power numbers. I just want that power to come on more quickly. Electric motors are supposed to give you instant torque, right? Here I've got two electric motors and I have none of that. I have a hesitant power train that's really putting a damper on my fun. [MUSIC] The 2017 BMW i8 starts at $143,400. But when you add on the 20-inch wheels and the $6,300 laser headlights, which are ten times brighter than regular LEDs, well, that jumps the price up to $153,695. Yeah, I mean it's worth it for the way it looks. But with that 0 to 60 time, I'm just not buying it. [MUSIC]