There was no shortage of eye-catching metal at the latest Philippine International Motor Show. Yet despite being a few meters away from the stunning Toyota FT-1 and the sexy Lexus LC500h, BMW Philippines’ centerpiece more than held its own.
The official distributor of the premium German brand showcased the i8, a plug-in hybrid sports car that has been in production for a few years. The i8 and its smaller sibling, the i3, comprise BMW’s EV lineup. We were fortunate to see the i3 a few years ago in Singapore, and we still feel bad that the i-line isn’t for sale here yet.
At least we got to meet the beautiful i8 at the PIMS. You don’t have to be a fan of eco-friendly vehicles to fall in love with its gorgeous design and futuristic stance. The i8 looks like it came from the world of Tron.
Despite its dreamy carbon fiber reinforced plastic exterior, the i8 packs solid real-world engineering under its skin. Using its expertise, BMW created a three-cylinder 1.5-liter TwinPower Turbo engine and paired it with an electric motor. The result is a top speed of 250kph while averaging 48km/L. The powerplant was so good it beat Ford’s 1.0-liter EcoBoost mill for last year’s Engine of the Year.
But while we enthusiasts geek out over the i8’s amazing specs, BMW is serious about its intent to promote sustainability. The Munich-based carmaker is celebrating its centennial year, and models like the i8 are the bridge from its past to its future.
“Sustainability at BMW is not just a word, it is our supreme guiding principle. This is why we designed the entire life cycle of BMW i vehicles in line with the value of maximum conservation of resources. We demonstrated on many occasions throughout our history that we are capable of learning fast and taking bold steps in shaping the future of mobility,” says Asian Carmakers Corporation president Maricar Parco. ACC is the official importer and distributor of BMW cars in the Philippines.
We hope the next time we see the i8, it’s on Metro Manila streets, and sold through an official dealership.
