Classic pearls of the future - BMW i8
05/12/2015
If looks alone decide which cars become classics, then the BMW i8 certainly has a good chance. Because it looks breathtaking. Perhaps a little over-designed, but definitely racy and spectacular.
But there are other factors that make a (future) old car a classic, for example innovative technology, racing successes, driving pleasure, rarity, etc.
And here, too, the BMW i8 can score points in most categories, even if there are no racing victories to report so far because there are no such entries.
Otherwise, however, the i8 can shine as a genuine sports car, despite the three-cylinder engine that drives the rear axle. The forced-induction engine produces 231 hp and, coupled with the electric motor for the front axle, this results in a system output of 362 hp. And because BMW has pulled out all the stops in terms of lightweight construction technology, the car weighs a comparatively modest 1.5 tons, despite the sophisticated technology and a battery that should enable around 30 km of purely electric driving.
Jeremy Clarkson, who has since been ostracized by the BBC, was certainly impressed when he drove the i8 in comparison with the current M3 and decided after a 300 km drive that he would rather continue with the i8. Many other car testers were also convinced, so it was no wonder that buyers were queuing up to buy an i8. Clarkson, however, was not one of them ...
Of course, there were also critical voices because, for example, the fuel economy was not really convincing, especially not when you really stood on the right pedal. But this should not stand in the way of the future classic status, rather the question should be whether the complex technology will be maintainable at all in the future.
More classic pearls of the future can be found in our constantly growing theme channel.
