What makes a car pretty? I feel like that’s a difficult question to answer, as there doesn’t seem to be any specific guideline about what makes a pretty car, no clear-cut definition. I guess it’s like Justice Potter Stewart’s definition of pornography, being “I know it when I see it”. That’s sort of what a pretty car is like. I can’t define what makes a car pretty but I know one when I see one. Top Gear recently decided to list the ten prettiest cars on sale, something that’s quite tricky to do. The BMW i8 was listed as one of them.
Smartly, TG does say “Let’s have an argument about the prettiest cars on sale”, because such a ranking is going to differ greatly among enthusiasts. Especially when it comes to the BMW i8. Personally, I love the i8. It’s an astonishing car that looks like nothing of this world. If you were to tell a small child that it actually came from outer space, they’d believe it. Yet, I’m not entirely sure it’s a pretty car. In fact, I don’t think it’s pretty at all.
Let me be clear, this is my opinion on the matter and I understand why Top Gear would list the i8 as such. However, despite my love for the way it looks, I’m not convinced it’s pretty. It’s amazing looking and evokes all of the same feelings of excitement that Lamborghinis used to when I was a kid. However, like a Lamborghini, the BMW i8 is more awesome than it is pretty. You can call that splitting hairs, and maybe you’re right, but it’s personally how I feel about BMW’s hybrid supercar.
For me, the prettiest cars on sale would include cars like the Jaguar F-Type, Alfa Romeo Giulia, Mercedes-AMG GT and the Ferrari 812 Superfast. Hell, I think the BMW 8 Series is prettier than the i8. Of course, what’s deemed “pretty” is subjective, which brings the “I know it when I see it” definition. There isn’t a clear-cut definition of what’s pretty and what isn’t, which is why people will argue it. So, personally, I don’t think the BMW i8 belongs on the list. Though, TG does and I’m sure there are a ton of enthusiasts who do as well.
What do you think, should the BMW i8 be featured on the prettiest car list? Let us know below.
I think he summed it up nicely regarding the i8, it really is an amazing car to look at but pretty it isn’t. If just draws attention so effortlessly for its unusual and fresh design.
The Guilia, however, is sex on wheels.
3 Series clone with a bad nose job, they even ripped off the Hofmeister.
Vaccines are in short supply. You have already missed out.
Stop monopolizing head injuries. bmwblog, disqus won’t bar this troll, why do you allow him here making personal attacks totally unrelated to the content of the blog you work so hard on? BMW are a smart brand, be a smart blog, ban him.
We did ban him.
Thank you! He’s like herpes, hard to get rid of. Not that I’d know. Herpes are smarter.
I definitely give the nod to the i8, just for uniqueness of design & tech. It doesn’t look like anything else on the road, & its size means it’s not as overbearing as some V12s. It has subtlety & innovation that the others you mention lack, they are more conventional & familiar with some underwhelming/over the top detailing. i8 Roadster is even better. BMW have a history of coupes that are not immediate hits but become more appreciated over time, think i8 continues the tradition.
Yes, even though it came out in 2014, it still looks like its years ahead in design. And the roadster, with the too down especially, is gorgeous.
I still think the i8 is one strikingly well-designed car visually, one that feels like it came from a decade ahead of its time. Since it is an i-Division car, I’d love to see it upgraded with the same visual styling, but fully electric with dual motors, a long range, and upgraded internal dashboard and such.
The i8 ticks all the boxes for me, sexy, pretty, emotional, stunning, uniqueness… I’d even call it close to perfect. I think, subliminally, people expected more performance from a car that looks like this and that fact influences overall perception.
For me, TG is spot on with their choice.
It’s no Aston Martin, but its pretty, original and overall very cool.
i think it looks good. really my only gripe with the i8 is the power output
It is a amazing vehicle with amazing tech and half the cost of a Lambo. Thanks for producing It, BMW! Will be a collectors car!
A very striking and visually interesting car.
Pictures do not do this car justice.
It’s really a shocking car to stand next to.
Very Impressive. Gives you the luxury of the EV drive experience without losing the sport.