Kevin's BMW i8
REDMOND, WA - What a weekend! I recently met Kevin Vu and his young but growing automotive collection. He was kind enough to let me borrow his beautiful BMW i8 for a Saturday morning before Exotics at Redmond Town Center. This was my first experience with the i8 and I have to say, driving a spaceship is pretty amazing! Starting up this car is an impressive amount of theater. Gentle illumination and vehicle information come alive when you hit the… power button.
Driving the i8 is incredible to say the least. After closing the gullwing door and getting settled in the aggressive seating position, the motors provide plenty of silent acceleration while the large wheelbase keeps you feeling planted and stable. There are a couple downsides however. The i8 has little to no room for cargo with the 1.5L turbo’ed 3-cylinder generator in the trunk, and tactile details like steering and throttle response can feel light and disconnected if you’re used to the mechanical feel of a dedicated sports car.
But, sometimes looks ARE everything. And as far as hybrid super cars from 2014 go, the i8 did its part to show us a future where automotive enthusiasts still have a lot to be excited about.
