Incredible. BMW I8 Spotted in -20C (Pics within)

"thebigbossyboss" (thebigbossyboss)
02/18/2015 at 09:35 • Filed to: DOTS BMW

Yesterday, my friend and I saw something incredible. A 2015 BMW I8 parked right on the street, in winter time in Ottawa. Ottawa is incredibly brutal during the winter. This weekend it barely got above -20C. I drove my car across a frozen river for christ sake. And here someone is driving an I8. (Me drifting across the frozen river below).

As you all undoubtedly know, the I8 has a 231 hp 1.5L inline 3 driving the rear wheels with a 131 hp electric motor driving the front wheels. It goes 250 km/h and gets an astonishing 134.5 MPG

While I was staring at this incredible car, I was instantly transported back in my mind to a video I once watched by Petrolicious. It was about the iconic Lamborghini Countach and in it they say: "the Countach was made when outrageous was possible." Here's a quick blurb on the video from Petrolicious themselves:

When Outrageous Was Possible

There was a time when an art form known as coachbuilding existed.

Back then, the coachbuilder did not have to answer to a CFO.

Back then, the coachbuilder did not have to compromise his vision due to government regulations.

Back then, the outrageous was possible.

The Lamborghini Countach could only have been born then.

Up until yesterday, I believed Petrolicious. I believed that outrageous was no longer possible. I believed that modern cars were boring. Prius this, pedestrian safety that. Civic this, safety regulations that. Back up camera this, model bloat that.

Looking at the I8 however, I realized my mindset was wrong. I was awed by the presence of the BMW I8. This car is in an entirely different league than your run of the mill 3 series. It's not even playing the same sport.

My pictures don't pretend to do it justice. The car really has to be seen in person to impress itself upon you. From it's gull wing doors, to its awesomely sleek turn signals to it's insane drivetrain, the whole project is so radical it defied belief. Perhaps the only thing more unbelievable than the car itself was when the owner came out, opened his gullwing doors, and drove it away in the frigid cold.

Fellow Oppo's, fear not. Outrageous isn't gone forever. The BMW I8 is even more outrageous than the Countach ever was, and it's right here down on the street.

DISCUSSION (19)

VonBelmont > thebigbossyboss
02/18/2015 at 09:58

They actually get closer to 20ish MPG in the real world.

450X_FTW > thebigbossyboss
02/18/2015 at 09:59

I saw one of those in Germany a few months ago. Pictures don't do it justice. It is such a great looking car

thebigbossyboss > VonBelmont
02/18/2015 at 10:11

Same as my Cavalier.

thebigbossyboss > 450X_FTW
02/18/2015 at 10:12

Oh yeah. Big time. But the rear end especially.

philipilihp > thebigbossyboss
02/18/2015 at 11:02

I want that 1.5L 231 HP 3 cylinder in a car by itself.

Also, I love this car in white. I've only seen them (and never even in real life) in black or silver. This white camo really works.

thebigbossyboss > philipilihp
02/18/2015 at 11:13

Hello fellow FF1 friend. I tell no lies :)

philipilihp > thebigbossyboss
02/18/2015 at 11:20

You're an honest guy, Bossy.

VonBelmont > thebigbossyboss
02/18/2015 at 11:50

Basically yeah

thebigbossyboss > philipilihp
02/18/2015 at 12:35

Wait till you see this thing in real life, you'll be floored man. Thanks for checking out my post!

Battery Tender Unnecessary > thebigbossyboss
02/18/2015 at 21:50

Ballsy if not on snow tires. Luckily there's nothing to rust. And at 0C most EV batteries are only 70% efficient, not sure about -20.

thebigbossyboss > Battery Tender Unnecessary
02/18/2015 at 21:55

Can only be worse lol. What tire size does the car have, do you know off hand?

P.S. This is my first one spotted, as you know, pictures don't do it justice at all!!

Battery Tender Unnecessary > thebigbossyboss
02/18/2015 at 21:58

Front: 215/45 R20 7.5Jx20 H2 IS40

Rear: 245/40 R20 8.5Jx20 H2 IS50

Yeah, it really takes a close first-hand look to appreciate the lines and design. It's like nothing else.

tpm067_burner > thebigbossyboss
04/24/2015 at 14:36

Resurrecting old thread... pretty sure I see this exact same i8 every day driving Northbound on Prince of Wales and Colonel By around 3:50-4pm

thebigbossyboss > tpm067_burner
04/24/2015 at 14:50

Oh you are a local Opponaut? That’s cool. Once us locals were few, but now we are many!!

tpm067_burner > thebigbossyboss
04/24/2015 at 14:55

Well I’m not sure I can claim I’ve ever actually driven in such a way that I was even in Oppolock!... but I love cars and trucks and read Jalop/Oppo all the time. Used to live downtown, but recently moved out to Kemptville, so I drive Prince of Wales... a lot.

That i8 is beautiful in person... I usually see a black Tesla Model S around the same time, but nothing like the i8.

thebigbossyboss > tpm067_burner
04/24/2015 at 14:59

Sounds like you qualify to be one of us. I also don’t drive too fast, but thats just me and my Cavalier haha.

Welcome to the club, and I hope you see this rally and come join us out next saturday!!

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/attention-otta…

tpm067_burner > thebigbossyboss
04/24/2015 at 15:05

That’s pretty awesome! I didn’t even know there was local community meetings and events. Likely can’t make this one, but will try to do others in the future! I’ve followed you so hopefully I get the updates in the future. Most my weekends are booked this spring (working on the barn!).

Thanks for the invite, the rally looks awesome. Feels good to qualify to be one of the group, I’ll have to join a meeting someday and make it official!

thebigbossyboss > tpm067_burner
04/24/2015 at 15:08

Well we don’t really have formal meetings, but we do go to events here and there. I am trying to put together an Oppo meet up for this summer doing some driving. So far our events have consisted of ice road driving across the Ottawa river and a few rallies but there’s a few of us and they are all good guys for sure!

I send out periodic irregular updates, email me at thebigbossyboss at gmail dot com and I will add you to my mailing list.

tpm067_burner > thebigbossyboss
04/27/2015 at 07:24

Thanks a lot, sending it now.