This is what the BMW i8 sounds like. If you had any doubts about its acoustic qualities, these should be put to rest once you’ve seen the video linked below. It lets you hear what the three-pot engine thrashed from the outside when pushed moderately hard on the Nürburgring… until it stutters to a halt on the side of the track due to an unknown malfunction.
The description of the TuriClips video reads that, “after about 15 minutes he drove off really slowly. I think it wasn’t a major problem because I later saw him driving around the village of Nürburg again.”
Apparently, the most likely culprit responsible for the testing hiccup were the car’s brakes, though this was not confirmed – it’s the YouTube uploader’s speculation based on what he saw at the scene.
BMW needs to iron out these niggles before the cars start reaching customers (obviously), because a recall for the much-anticipated and highly acclaimed i8, presented as the world’s first desirable purpose-built hybrid sports car would be a big slap in the face for whomever handles their image and planning side of the business.
By Andrei Nedelea
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