Originally Posted by bradleyland
The term "sports car" is a very, very broad term. Is the M3 a sports car? Because the i8 will have M3 levels of performance. The Mazda Miata is considered a sports car, and it doesn't have anywhere near the level of performance the i8 will have. Is it ok for BMW to call it a sports car now?
I think the definition is not as broad as you make it out to be; I think it is quite narrow, but with a broad spectrum of performance levels. BMW calls it a sports car, I already pointed that out.
Not once has BMW has compared the i8 to the Corvette. They wouldn't, because the Corvette includes zero advanced eco-related technology, and is in an entirely different league from a performance standpoint.
BMW hasn't compared it to anything because in their typical hype mode "they are breaking new ground" (Just like the Z1 vs. the Fiero). So the i8 doesn't match the C7's performance levels so we'll just punt then and say, "well the i8 really isn't a sports car." Sorry but that's a lame reason; it just sounds like excuses to me.
It's a daft comparison, and you're not proving anything by continuing to harp on it. The Corvette's performance is in super-car territory. It is at the opposite end of the spectrum from the i8's target performance.
I'd say a Prius is at the opposite end of the i8's target performance.
So the Vette is a great performance car, we all agree on that. It's really great considering the price. The i8 is dressed up as a sports car when it's actually a "Halo-Tech Car". If BMW didn't try to pass it off as a sports car then we'd not be having the discussion.
The C7 Corvette outperforms a very long list of cars at a much, much lower price point. The car is a modern wonder of engineering and a value that has never been seen in automotive history. I cannot think of a single example of a car that outperforms the C7 (or C6 Z06 and ZR1, for that matter) on a performance-per-dollar standpoint. However, this has nothing to do with the i8.
If you are looking for performance-per-dollar, then you shouldn't even consider the i8. Go ahead and toss all your brochures in the trash. Delete any bookmarks from your web browser. Unsubscribe from this thread. Go outside, have a breath of fresh air, and forget you ever saw the car.
A little dramatic... My argument is not performance per dollar; we both agree the C7 has that won hands down regardless of most sports cars placed in view of it. What I am saying is the i8 is a neat idea, but it really doesn't deliver on the purposeful tech use front. Yup, it's got great application of existing technology. And the specific HP/liter is pretty dang good (around 160), but it's really expensive to the point it obfuscates the purpose of it's existence - hybrid fuel mileage. As others on this thread have stated, people who can afford a $136K car probably have no financial concerns regarding fuel costs.
You should probably also consider that your wife's first-impiressions from a single commercial might not be the best basis from which to start the reasoning for your next car purchase.
It wasn't. We've already discussed the purchase of a C7 months ago. She'd love nothing more than me to get another BMW with the performance of the C7. She's the one who drives a 160,000 mile 1997 Z3. I'm sure her thought was when seeing the i8 commercial, "Wow, cool car, maybe I can talk the knucklehead over there to buy another BMW instead of that low-life, redneck, new Corvette."
Absolutely true. That's the point of the entire i line-up. I'm not sure I expect i to even be around in 15 years.
Now these are good arguments!
BMW is claiming to push the envelope, but as you pointed out, Tesla is kicking everyone's ass. By including an ICE, BMW is making a different bet. I've often wondered the same thing about the i8: "Does the inclusion of an ICE even make sense?" I have a feeling we're in agreement that the inclusion of an ICE is a misstep here. I think Tesla have it right. If you're going electric, go electric. Although, the Porsche 918 is an excellent demonstration of the benefits of a supplementary ICE can provide at the very top end. Maybe BMW followed Porshe's lead here? Seems plausible considering their market position.
For me, the most exciting thing to come out of the i program is the CFRP technology. Rumors are that the an all-new Z-car will use a carbon fiber tub chassis. I'm sure that rumor is based on a whole lot of unproven hypotheses, but if it comes to fruition, the i program will have been more beneficial to BMW's core mission than the Z1 was. Similar rumors are circulating regarding the M2, although that car won't use a CF tub, just lots of CFRP. Reportedly, more than the M3/4 even.
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