As promised when we saw the BMW i8 Spyder concept at last year's Los Angeles Auto Show, the production version of the high-performance hybrid plug-in has arrived for the 2014 model year, bowing this week at the City of Angels' 2013 show. The sleek 2014 i8 coupe with gull-wing doors is expected to reach showrooms by spring with a starting price of $135,700, not including destination charge or any state or federal incentives for which the high-mileage i8 may qualify. The all-wheel-drive 2+2 seater uses BMW's first plug-in hybrid powertrain: a turbocharged 1.5-liter three-cylinder teamed with an electric motor and a high-voltage lithium-ion battery, and mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The combined gas-and-electric output is 362 horsepower and 420 pounds-feet of torque — good for a zero-to-62 mph time of 4.4 seconds and estimated fuel economy of 94 mpg.
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BMW describes the i8's exterior design as an "emotion-led visual impression based around established BMW i design language," boasting classical sports-car proportions, clean lines and standard full LED headlights. Check out the photo gallery below; photos by Cars.com's Evan Sears.
