Unveiled at the Frieze Los Angeles art fair, the BMW i5 Flow NOSTOKANA, named after Mahlangu’s eldest son, showcases an animated exterior. This animation is made possible by two strips adorned with millions of microcapsules of E Ink spread across the car’s hood, roof, sides, and rear. These strips can be electronically controlled to shift the color particles’ structure, allowing for dynamic visual effects.

The i5’s unique exterior is made up of 1,349 sections of individually controllable E Ink film, meticulously cut by laser to fit the sedan’s contoured surfaces. This advancement signifies a leap from the Dee concept, with the technology now capable of displaying an even broader array of colors. Furthermore, improvements have made the E Ink film more durable, hinting at its potential for mainstream production, though it remains exclusive to concept models at present. Adding to the car’s uniqueness, BMW commissioned Renzo Vitale, an acoustic engineer and sound designer, to create a distinctive sound for the i5 Flow NOSTOKANA.

Reflecting on its roots, the #12 BMW Art Car made a historic return to South Africa this month, over three decades since its debut. Meanwhile, BMW is finalizing its #20 Art Car, the M Hybrid V8 endurance racer, designed by Julie Mehretu, set to be revealed on May 21.

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Equally Matched Power

The power spectrum ranges from 490 horsepower in the Nio ET5 to 513 horsepower in the Tesla. In this case, the G80 M3, equipped with the M xDrive all-wheel drive, closely follows the Tesla with 510 horsepower. In terms of torque, the M3 brings 479 lb-ft to the table, the Model 3 Performance offers 487 lb-ft, and the ET5 delivers 516 lb-ft. In the weight department, the G80 M3 comes in at 1855 kilograms, the Model 3 weighs 1919 kg, and the ET5 is the heaviest at 2160 kg.

In the first drag race, which starts at 1:53, the G80 M3 gets off to a less-than-ideal start despite using active launch control. However, in both the second race, commencing at 2:35, and the third race, beginning at 3:30, the combustion engine of the M3 dominates, leaving the electric cars no chance and securing a decisive victory in the quarter-mile sprint. The Tesla Model 3 Performance consistently outpaces the Nio ET5, but all three vehicles operate at an exceptionally high level. It’s evident that electric cars pose a formidable challenge for combustion engines, especially in those critical initial moments.

From 5:00 onwards, the three-way battle transitions to everyday driving conditions with a rolling start. As expected, the BMW M3 struggles in this scenario, requiring several gear shifts during an unexpected kickdown before achieving full acceleration. In contrast, the Tesla Model 3 and Nio ET5 effortlessly unleash their maximum performance and quickly leave the M3 behind.

At 5:35, we witness the remarkable difference in the BMW M3’s performance when all settings are dialed to their sportiest. Nevertheless, the M3 only truly shines when it’s in the optimal gear at the start of the drag race, as seen from 6:35 when it starts at 80 km/h in third gear, enabling it to pull ahead seamlessly right from the beginning.

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It’s worth noting that the zero-emission Gran Coupe boasts a pair of electric motors generating a combined 396 horsepower and an instant torque of 443 pound-feet. It’s important to mention that both the i4 and i5 in the eDrive40 trim offer 335 hp, but the i4 eDrive40 delivers 317 lb-ft of torque, while the i5 eDrive40 offers only 295 lb-ft. It remains unclear whether there will be any differences in the case of the xDrive models.

In related news, the 550e xDrive also appears in the document as a plug-in hybrid model, a confirmation that was awaited for the US market until now. It carries a price tag of $73,800. Additionally, in the coming year, likely as a 2025 model year offering, the M5 Sedan is expected to make its debut as the flagship model, boasting over 700 horsepower from a plug-in hybrid setup based on the new twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 “S68” engine. While the M division has confirmed the return of the M5 Touring, it remains uncertain whether this high-performance wagon will be available in the United States.

Source: BMW USA

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The 2024 i4 eDrive35 can now be ordered with several new packages: the M Sport Package, Convenience Package (ZCV), and Premium Package (ZPP). The Convenience Package includes lumbar support, heated front seats, Iconic Sounds Electric, and wireless charging. On the other hand, the Premium Package incorporates everything from the Convenience Package but also adds a heated steering wheel and the curved display with a head-up display.

Unfortunately, there is no information available regarding the pricing of these packages or any new individual options that may be offered. However, one notable new option for the i4 is the Icon Adaptive LED Headlights with Laserlight. Additionally, it remains unclear whether the BMW i4 will receive any new standard equipment. Nonetheless, there is news of a slight price increase for the i4, with a $200 bump from $52,000 to $52,200.

The BMW i4 eDrive35 serves as the entry-level model and is the least powerful and fastest variant in the lineup. It utilizes a single rear electric motor, which is the same motor found in the pricier i4 eDrive40. However, the motor is detuned for the base model, producing 282 horsepower compared to the 335 horsepower of the more expensive version. The entry-level i4 also offers a slightly lower maximum range of 256 miles, while the higher-end model can reach up to 301 miles. Nevertheless, the performance discrepancy is minimal, as BMW claims a 0-60 mph time of 5.8 seconds for the base model, just 0.3 seconds slower than the more expensive variant.

For many customers, outright performance and range are not the primary concerns when choosing an electric vehicle. Instead, they seek comfort, well-equipped features, and practicality, especially at a lower price point. With the introduction of these new optional extras, the BMW i4 eDrive35 is poised to become even more appealing to potential buyers. BMW’s intention is to make the model even more popular than it already is. Moreover, the i4 eDrive35 presents a more cost-effective option overall, allowing customers to acquire a well-rounded electric car with decent range at an attractive price.

[Source: BMWBLOG via Bimmerpost]

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According to Car and Driver, the South Korean automaker is working on a high-performance version of the Ioniq 5. The Ioniq 5 N is expected to have some impressive specs, making it a potential competitor to the 576 horsepower KIA EV6 GT. C&D claims that the Ioniq 5 N will likely have around 600 horsepower from its dual electric motors. Although there are no official specs available yet, this is exciting news for those who are eagerly anticipating its release.

The Ioniq 5 N is camouflaged in snowy test mules, making it hard to visualize the car’s final design. However, it’s expected to have sportier features, such as wider fenders, a lower front bumper, a rear diffuser, a lower ride height, and a small rear spoiler. The car is said to look playful in the snow, drifting around and shooting white rooster tails in the air.

Hyundai brought C&D along to test the Ioniq 5 N prototype, and it seems to be a promising little performance EV. It features an electronically controlled limited-slip differential at the rear axle, which helps shift torque between the rear wheels, providing exceptional lateral performance. Most EV manufacturers avoid additional diffs as they put a damper on efficiency, but when it comes to high-performance cars, lateral performance is more important than a small efficiency bump.

Former BMW M boss Albert Biermann is largely responsible for where Hyundai is today. The new Ioniq 5 N is a testament to what Biermann brought from BMW to Hyundai, making it a genuine rival for the Bavarians. The Ioniq 5 N is something that BMW should absolutely be keeping an eye on. To see just how far Hyundai has come in terms of making genuinely fun performance cars, check out the prototype drive review from C&D.

[Photos: Hyundai Press]

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The Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este is an exclusive annual event in Italy where the world’s most luxurious and exclusive vehicles are displayed, and it’s the perfect venue for the premiere of the i7 M70. BMW has not provided many details about the car, but it has confirmed that it will be an all-electric M Performance model of the 7 Series and will feature an exclusive two-tone finish.

The i7 M70 will sit at the top of BMW’s electric vehicle lineup with a pair of motors that will deliver a combined output of “well over” 600 horsepower and more than 737 pound-feet of torque. The original press release stated that the i7 M70 xDrive would have as much as 660 horsepower with the overboost function, making it the most powerful BMW production car ever.

However, the i7 M70’s reign as the most powerful BMW may be short-lived, as the company has already announced the XM Label Red, which will pack nearly 750 horsepower from a plug-in hybrid V8 setup. The i7 M70 will have a dual-motor setup that will enable it to go from 0 to 62 mph in less than four seconds, making it a super sedan that is sure to impress.

While BMW has not revealed the pricing of the i7 M70, it is expected to cost significantly more than the i7 xDrive60, which is available in the United States from $119,300. BMW charges an extra $24,400 for the iX M60 compared to the iX xDrive50, and it remains to be seen whether the i7 M70 will hit the $150,000 mark.

The i7 M70 is not the only M Performance electric car to be revealed this year. BMW is also planning to give the next-generation 5 Series Sedan an i5 M60, and in 2024, an i5 Touring will be launched. It’ll be interesting to see whether the long-roof model will also get the M60 treatment.

Overall, the i7 M70 is an exciting addition to BMW’s electric vehicle lineup, and it’s sure to turn heads when it makes its debut at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2023.

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Standard features include LED headlights, 18-inch wheels, heated front seats, and a black Senstatec/cloth interior. The M Sport package adds aerodynamic visuals, Shadowline black exterior trim, 18-inch aerodynamic wheels, an M Sport steering wheel, and an Alcantara/Sensatec interior with blue contrasting accents. Due to its lower cost, the BMW i4 eDrive35 may become the volume seller in the UK.

This vehicle is ideal for city-dwellers who have access to charging stations and don’t require long-range batteries. Despite its lower power output, the i4 eDrive35 has sufficient acceleration of under six seconds, and its rear-wheel drive and premium interior make it an attractive option for its price.

“Following the huge success we have seen with BMW i4 in the Corporate and Fleet markets since launch, we are very pleased to bring the eDrive35 model to the UK portfolio. We’re offering this model in Sport and M Sport trims, which both include an impressive level of standard equipment, including 18 inch alloy wheels, alongside a range of up to 299 miles. This latest model to join the i4 range will make electric driving accessible to even more of our customers.” said Steve Roberts, General Manager, Corporate Sales, BMW UK.

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According to BMW sources, the first M-engineered fully electric car will not arrive until the Neue Klasse family of cars is on the road. This means that the first-ever BMW i5M will likely not arrive until then. The G60 BMW 5 Series, set to be unveiled this Spring, will use the flexible CLAR architecture, with a focus on combustion engines. However, the integration of electrified drives is expected to become more prevalent, and by 2025 the focus will shift towards electric drivetrains.

If you are looking for an M-lite electric sedan, the BMW i5 M60 could be your only choice for a while. Rumors suggest that the 2024 BMW i5 M60 xDrive will send nearly 600 horsepower to all four wheels, with a torque level similar to, if not better than, the iX M60 at 811 pound-feet of torque. The i5 will weigh significantly less than the massive iX crossover, providing a lower center of gravity, similar to the already high-selling i4 M50, and delivering excellent driving dynamics.

Although the i5M may not be arriving anytime soon, an electrified BMW M5 will be part of the G60 5 Series generation, featuring an “S68” 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with a hybrid electric motor. The range of the hybrid electric motor is expected to be around 30 miles, but the power output should be sufficient at 715 horsepower.

While the rumors of the BMW i5M are exciting, BMW has yet to confirm any plans of bringing an i5M to the next generation G60 5 Series. However, the shift towards electric drivetrains means that we can expect to see more electrified models from BMW, including the potential arrival of the i5 M60 in the future, along with the electrified M5. Only time will tell what the future holds for BMW and its electrification strategy.

[Render www.instagram.com/germanysfinest43]

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The automotive world is in a transition that commonly is being referred to as one of the biggest impacting changes ever to the world surrounding cars and transportation. The industry has embarked on a change from the production of vehicles with internal combustion engines (ICEs) to the production of electric vehicles (EVs). This immediate alteration of the type of vehicle in which we transport ourselves will lead to the restructuring of the existing automotive industry across the globe. Many words have been spoken about the impact of EV production and the availability of EV vehicles in the market space. However, this next story shares my understanding of where we currently stand in the world of electric mobility. This time we won’t focus on Europe, where countries are making decent process on the transition and its deadline of 2035, but in a country which its economy is heavily reliant on revenues from petroleum and natural gas and which ranks eighth globally in readiness for electric mobility; the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a country which is among the world’s ten largest oil producers.

Before touching on the experience itself, it is good to know that the UAE established in 2015 their EV Green Charger Initiative, which is an initiative helping to achieve the Dubai Green Mobility Strategy 2030, promoting green transportation. Additionally under the UAE Vision 2021, the local Arab government plans to install around 175 charging stations to accommodate the rising need for electrification, which is expected to propel the growth of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure market.

More and more market players are investing to find innovative electric vehicle charging solutions across the country, while also upgrading the existing infrastructure to enhance the convenience for drivers. All of this is of course meant to push the growth of the UAE electric vehicle charging infrastructure market forward at an annual rate of 30 per cent between 2022 and 2028, similar to what we read elsewhere across the globe. The aims are therefore similar, the timelines the same. However like many of these stories the reality showcases challenges which seem to be untouched by many and this is where my experience comes in, and it starts even before my trip to the UAE and in particular the emirate of Dubai.

Those familiar with the world of electric vehicles know that it still requires current specific arrangements and in-depth planning. You ask yourself the question where do I charge, what kind of charging speeds are available and do I have the option to charge at home or in my case at my hotel. These are legitimate questions in the current time and age, and also where the challenges start and confusion arose.

The New 2022 Audi RS e-tron GT

To accommodate my trip to the UAE and support the requirements of being able to move myself around, the team at Audi ME offered me the option to experience the new 2022 RS E-Tron GT. Without starting a long fletch review of the vehicle, I will say that the E-Tron GT is simply fantastic. It is flawed across a number of little aspects, especially noticeable in the UAE market, but pure as a car it might well be one of the best cars on the road today. In Dubai traffic, the vehicle feels like a spaceship ready to take off. At any speed with no time wasted waiting for downshifts, the E-Tron GT catapults you forward with a level of comfort and smoothness not often seen. It is so quick and nippy that any traffic around you feels like it is standing still while you fly past in your silent shuttle.

In the UAE market, Audi fully aims at EV vehicles for the future, especially across its press fleet. The RS E-Tron GT is therefore the car of choice when you want to experience the local electric vehicle infrastructure, which immediately brings me to the first point of note connected directly to the car. The wonderful design of the GT comes with one major downfall which are its front and rear overhangs. Extremely beneficial to its looks and efficient design, the E-tron GT requires you as a driver to raise the car every single time when you park it. This is due to the fact that at the end of almost every single parking space in Dubai you will find a bollard. If you don’t raise the car, you will run into problems completely ripping off the underbody with ease on either side of the GT. Therefore raising it is a must, and valet parking – which seems to be the standard at local hotels and restaurants – is an absolute no-go when you drive the E-Tron GT.

With having the RS GT arranged, let’s step back to the moment of booking the hotel and investigating the local charging infrastructure. I initially asked my legitimate questions in the direction of local contacts, and the answers were almost as expected. “Charging EVs in Dubai is a challenge”, “The infrastructure is not sufficient”, “Hardly any hotels have charging”, “You can only charge in the malls”, “Most chargers don’t even work”. The standard answers which I could have copied from almost every other country across the world right now. Nothing I had not heard before, and the immediate confirmation of what to expect.

Visiting Dubai

A pleasant surprise came however from the hotel where I stayed in the Dubai Creek Harbour area. Surrounded by numerous commercial developments and a wildlife reserve, the area is the example of a place where you would expect the charging infrastructure to be top notch, since it is so newly build. The booking agent of the hotel confirmed to me that EV charging was on site, he could however not tell me what the charging speed in kW was or how many spaces were available. Also the local mobile apps covering Dubai’s EV infrastructure weren’t able to answer me these questions. Not a huge problem, because as a EV driver you need to be flexible and you are used to crossing your fingers hopping for the best when it comes to filling up your electric car.

With the booking placed, the travel plan set, and a transport arranged, the trip to the UAE could commence allowing for a new experience in a country which runs on oil production. After having arrived on site and with the RS E-Tron GT handed over, the experience started…. in a rather surprising way. First of all, all the hotel employees were completely oblivious when it came to the topic of EV charging. The valets thought they saw water burning when I touched on the topic of charging a car in their parking. Add to this, that hotel’s garage had no lift to bring you up and down, which meant that the valets begged you to have them park your car. But wait a second? If they don’t know what EV charging is and the car needs to be raised every single time you park it, then valet parking isn’t going to be a good idea!

Self-parking became one of thé topics of the total driving experience in the UAE. The sheer amount of times I had to tell valets that they could not park the car became a running gag on its own. In the end, in many instances I required charging (or at least wanted to find out the charging situation in a parking) and since none of them knew what that meant, you as the driver had to park yourself. The hotel garage surprised me however by offering EV charging even though nobody had a fainting clue what this was. The booking agent had been right! Two spots on the 2nd floor were available offering four different charging sockets and three different types of sockets. Luckily the car came with the right plug & cables, and one of the ports was easily occupied. After connecting the car, the shock horror showcased that none of the ports worked because they were heavily vandalized. Back to the hotel’s reception asking for a repair, which was done in record time allowing me to charge the RS E-Tron GT overnight at max 10 kW. Enough to charge the car from 75% to 100% in about 3 hours.

Hotel charging sorted which meant that the problem of range anxiety was solved for this trip. Dubai and the UAE have a relatively small footprint and almost all distances travelled are short, which makes the use of an electric car in this part of the world the obvious choice if a suitable charging infrastructure is available. To answer this thought, a research of the area was needed. In the end, EV charging is still not like filling up a petrol car, so you need to take your time to dive into different mobile apps, check out your area for charging options, make sure you have the correct charging cards on you to allow charging and see if your stops and destinations offer charging accordingly.

Using Mobile Apps for Charging

The research brought me initially into the world of two mobile apps. One supplied by the local Dubai Electricity & Water Authority, also known as DEWA, and the second one available called Plugshare, which is a worldwide platform allowing you to find charging options anywhere you go. The combination of both apps offered a great overview of the possibilities on the topic of charging, but immediately showcased the sheer problems we all experience across the globe.

Like anywhere in the world, the UAE’s electric vehicle charging infrastructure market is segmented into vehicle type, type, charging mode, installed location, connector type, type of charging, regional distribution, and competitive landscape. Add to this, the fact that user reports in the app suggested certain chargers offering different charging speeds depending on the day and that chargers were placed at locations which had only daily opening times, and I was in for an even bigger challenge than I thought.

The only option was just to start the drive and experience the different charging options available. Those ranged from Tesla Superchargers and Tesla home chargers in the famous malls of Dubai to high speed chargers positioned at ENOC petrol stations and car dealers, who are trying to sell you their EVs. The first stop was Dubai Mall, only 15 minutes from the hotel, and one of the most famous malls in the world. The location offered a range of chargers, which are immensely hard to find in the maze of parking levels and different garages. Two options were available; the Tesla Supercharger and the 10 kW wall box home chargers which were placed at a number of spots throughout the parking.

The Tesla Supercharger set up in the Dubai Mall is located in the Zabeel part of the Mall, which is not the main parking but part of a newly released expansion. It offers eight Superchargers, is available 24/7, and provides up to 250 kW. The CCS compatibility allowed me to test the E-Tron GT, but with the charging ports on the Tesla’s being at the rear and the cables on the chargers being too short parking alongside a charger became a problem on its own. By claiming three charging spots I was able to connect the charger’s cable to the car to find out that in the UAE non-Tesla’s can’t charge at Tesla Superchargers yet. Bummer…

A second test at the Emirates Dubai mall showed the same problem. However, this location allowed me to have a proper talk with some Tesla drivers waiting for a charge or already charging their vehicles. Their stories revealed that 250 kW was never a thing because the capacity was divided over each of the eight chargers, which meant that when your neighbour left your charging speed would double and your charging time would decrease considerably. Another major issue was the sheer amount of Tesla owners just leaving their cars on charge while going for food or shopping, and many of them being connected and fully charged for hours. This meant that during my visits of these charging locations the waiting line to charge was constantly present. One person even told me he had to wait more than 2 hours before someone came back from his shopping spree in the mall allowing him to charge his Tesla. Not a favourable situation.

By leaving the Superchargers behind, the question came up if the other wall box type chargers located throughout the parking of both malls would work for the RS E-Tron GT. And yes they did and charging was free! Max speed was only 10 kW and also here the capacity was split between different neighbouring chargers, with mostly Tesla’s taking up the charging spots next to normal ICE cars who decided to park on a EV charging spots. Type of behaviour that isn’t uncommon in other parts of the world. Still it was great to see that charging is available in the malls and it is free. However the amount of chargers, the behaviour of car owners and the charging speeds still leave a lot to be desired if we really want to encourage consumers to shift from traditional vehicles.

But my research wasn’t over! There is more to offer on the topic of charging in the UAE. Two common charging locations, which were suggested to me by locals, are the ENOC fuel stations positioned alongside the main highways and car dealers who offer high speed charging to their clients. First up was an ENOC charging station alongside the main corridor of the city, Sheikh Zayed Road and near Dubai Internet City. In the back of the parking lot alongside some of the shops I came across a highspeed DEWA charger which according to the Plugshare mobile app hadn’t functioned for the last 6 months! Luckily you will be able to find other chargers in the immediate area, just no publicly available high speed charging stations. The standard seems to be 22 kW which is then co-shared with your neighbour charging his or her car.

This left me with the final charging option on my list and this was the Audi dealer, Al Nabooda Automobiles located in the Al Quoz area. The local dealer offers charging at its showroom and service centre and I visited the showroom. With the hope of finally having some decent high speed charging ahead of me, I arrived at the dealer with not a single charger insight. After entering the building and asking where the charger was, the valet guided me past two gates and down a ramp into the lowest level of the showroom’s parking. Here I came across a high speed charger capable of achieving 180 kW per bay! After having moved the RS E-Tron GT, the charger showed what it was capable off until the moment I noticed a giant white box standing alongside the charger and which was being aimed at the charger. I immediately noticed that the closet sized box was nothing other than an electrically-powered high-performance air-conditioning unit meant to cool down the charger and the car while charging. The total mindscrew of seeing this left me speechless and it immediately made me understand why the highspeed charger at the petrol station was so long out of service. The hot summer period could definitely have played a role here.

With charging having finished, the valet had to let me out and open the gate so that I could continue my journey. In the end, I charged at the highest speed possible near my location in the UAE, but the charger was only available for Audi E-Tron drivers and only open during commercial working hours, which makes the charger almost completely obsolete to use in normal daily life. Of course, it is great to experience such a sheer charging speed, but with summer temperatures being usually scorchingly hot and hitting up to 50 degrees you tend to wonder if charging with high speed chargers is the best possible solution in these kind of climates.

Still A Long Way To Go For Full Electrification Plans

After a week’s worth of EV driving in the UAE, I can say one thing clearly; we have a long way to go before our society is able to embrace EV driving. The UAE is in no way different from countries in central, southern and eastern Europe. The transition has started, and the initial steps have been made, but to create the necessary acceptance around electric vehicles and make it wide spread available we need more than what is currently being done. Next to this, we are forgetting two key ingredients which will impact the direction we have taken heading up to 2030 and beyond.

Ever since the start in 2015 a country like the UAE has made huge progress. The DEWA reported that they provided over 8,800 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity to charge EVs between 2015 and April 2022. This equates to approximately 58 million kilometres driven. Since the launch of the EV Green Charger initiative, Dubai has seen a good increase in EV adoption, with the number of registered EVs in Dubai increasing from 71 vehicles at the end of 2015 to 7,331 EVs as of May 31, 2022. This upward trend is expected to continue. In 2015, only a handful of EV models were available in Dubai, compared with approximately 25 models in 2022, and more models expected to enter the market over the next few years.

However, this is not where we need to look to make this all work. It is not all about delivering more EV vehicles to the market nor supplying more chargers to the public so that more electric kilometres can be driven. On the contrary, to really make a difference in the direction of adopting EVs we need to take note of the human aspect in all of this, which is the most important aspect within the future success of an EV. As an example look at the available connector types, the market is divided into type 1, type 2, UK 3-Pin, CHAdeMO, CCS, and others. Based on type of charging, the market is divided into slow, fast and ultrafast publicly and home charging which can either be slow or fast. There are too many variables for the public to understand and accept EV charging, let along the valets at hotels, who will need to start learning which charging cables and sockets are available when they are asked to charge a client’s vehicle.

Across the globe, we are forgetting the sheer impact of the human aspect when it comes to adopting new developments. We are aiming at expanding charger networks and increasing EV car fleets, but we forget that the human is the one taking control and without a proper level of standardization, improvements on ease of use and more important adaptability to daily requirements we won’t have EVs become the standard, nor a (full) replacement of the ICE. The predictability and dependability is absent and that is exactly what humanity needs to accept the concept of an EV.

Add to this, the absence of decent grid infrastructures in the world’s cities, rural areas or alongside a simple highway and the ability to charge will continue to be the limiting factor. It will undermine any future plan or green initiative currently in the news and on the tables of the decision makers. With my experiences from Dubai fresh in the back of my mind, I simply can’t understand why the industry and politicians have embarked on a journey, which doesn’t seem to have any point of reflection. Surely there must be a moment they will take off their blinkers allowing them to see where we are really heading, or not?

Don’t get me wrong! The EV has a future, but it isn’t the future when it comes to our immediate transition to a new form of mobility. Of course, cities like Dubai and countries like the UAE will be excellent examples of where the electric car is able to cover the majority of your journeys due to the dense nature of its concrete jungle, but before we are able to achieve this goal we are way beyond the political goals set in 2030 or maybe even 2050. To even get close to these dates, we will have to switch our focus to humanity which is the most vital part in all of this and decide how we will deal with the immediate absence of a sustainable power grid capable of dealing with the expected load. The outcome of this switch will 100% require the internal combination engine to stick around for the time being allowing us to transport ourselves and simply life our lives.

It is inevitable!

[Photos by instagram.com/Nickpcars]

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The BMW i8 is good for 369 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, powering all four wheels. But that’s less important than where the power is coming from. Which in the i8’s case, is the middle. Being mid-engine makes the car more naturally balanced and offers driving dynamics totally unique from more traditional front engine options.

Top speed was also adequate: the BMW i8 can get from 0-60 mph in about 4.4 seconds. Interestingly, the BMW i8 was also the first hybrid/EV to use a two-speed transmission for its electric motor at the front. While the i8 isn’t as economical as BMW had hoped, it’s still more economical than most supercars, capable of returning 35 MPGe. Because of that front electric motor, the latest iteration of the BMW i8 can drive up to 22 miles on pure electric power alone.

The MSRP pricing for the BMW i8 started at $143,400. But unfortunately, the BMW i8 was discontinued so you can only find used / pre-owned models. The BMW i8 can be purchased at great prices, around $60,000-$70,000 used. So should you buy one in 2023?

Let’s find out!

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