High-performance hybrid

IT IS hardly imaginable at first sight but the low-slung i8 sports car and the 218i Active Tourer minivan at a fraction of its price have something in common apart from their BMW badges - a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine.

Of course, the unit in the BMW i8 is tuned for higher power and torque but as in the 2 Series, it is also mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

But that's where all similarities end. As a plug-in petrol-electric hybrid, the i8 is nothing short of revolutionary in every aspect, from design and construction, to powertrain and performance. First, the design of this 2+2 coupe. Aerodynamics are critical and the BMW kidney grille has no openings. Neither are there any garish add-on spoilers and downforce is created with "airstream channels" integrated into the rear pillars with "flow-through" tail lamps.