Learning how to drive in a BMW i8? It doesn’t get better than that for those looking to get their first driving license. Learner drivers in London can now take lessons in a £105,500 BMW i8 courtesy of Bill Plant Driving School who has equipped the 357 hp plug-in hybrid with dual controls, which will allow an instructor to hit the anchors if someone should get carried away with the performance.
Jake Plant, operations director at Bill Plant driving school, said: “We’re thrilled to extend our BMW fleet to include the i8 and fill a premium gap in the market, we’ve seen instant demand since launching this on social media and look forward to the limitless joy it will provide pupils learning to drive in such a unique and fun driving experience”.
The hybrid sports car is an instant head-turner wherever it goes and its unmistakable looks have built a cult among the enthusiasts, and its performance is just as breathtaking.
The i8 uses both an internal combustion engine and an electric unit to get you moving. On the front axle you get an electric motor making 131 PS and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque whose sole job is to power the front wheels and, eventually, take you around town emissions free.
On the rear axle you’ll find a 231 PS and 236 lb-ft (320 Nm) 1.5-liter 3-cylinder turbocharged engine that is responsible for the more fun part of the game. It is connected to a 6-speed automatic gearbox and only powers the rear wheels. However, the engineers made sure the two can work together, combining the 6-speed gearbox of the internal combustion engine to the 2-speed one of the electric motor, offering the car up to 362 PS and 420 lb-ft (570 Nm) of torque when needed.
If you’re interested in getting behind the wheel of an ‘L’-plated i8, it’ll cost you a premium of £50 for an hour’s tuition – around double what you’d pay to drive around in a lesser learner car.
[Source: Car Throttle]
