Once snugly positioned behind the compact steering wheel, it is up to us in what mode to drive the i8: in full electric in busy urban traffic, utilizing the powerful combustion engine on the open road, or to let the on-board computer decide. In practice the shift is seamless. Handling is agile and steering is precise, and the six-speed coupled to the petrol engine shifts as smoothly as you would expect on any automatic BMW car.
The Start button takes the car into its default Comfort mode and if the battery is charged, you will drive under electric power. As you click into Sport mode, the instrument panel transforms from soft blue to hot red, the steering and the suspension firm up and the engine note bursts alive. The car isn’t silent in Comfort or Eco modes; BMW has had to add a subtle artificial automotive sound to alert other road users and distract occupants from road noise, but there is a distinct change of acoustics as the i8 powers up. It feels quite thrilling.
Driving for almost the entire day on the open roads in the Scottish Highlands we are surprised by how easy it is to control the i8. Performance cars like this can take a lot out of the driver, yet the i8 keeps us calm throughout the day.
Even in Sport mode, the interior environment takes the element of aggression out. This isn’t by chance – Jacob is very much aware of the importance of directing driver behavior with the BMW i cars. Much like how an architect considers the behavior of occupants, he feels with the eco cars there is scope to expand the notion of sustainability beyond the ecological and economical.
Jacob tells me his role has evolved from being a straightforward vehicle designer to ‘designing the behavior of the people driving these cars’. He says: ‘The i8 delivers a lot with very little emissions, but with great if not better emotion.’ And driving the i8 in the Highlands, enjoying the serene cabin, at times almost drifting in near silence, we are caressed to be more aware and responsive to our environment.
