Aug 6 2014
BMW i8 Review
The BMW i8 is here to change the way that you think about fuel efficiency while you’re on the road. Imagine being able to find a vehicle that had a beautiful body, an engine that roared and made you giddy when you drove it, and has great fuel economy. Now, think of most sports cars and the way that they handle on the road or in any situation you put them up to. Although most sports cars feel great and handle beautifully, it is hard to say the same about the miles per gallon that most of them get.
BMW i8 Features
The BMW i8 features an aluminum sub frame to keep the vehicle light, while putting our over 300 horsepower by utilizing a unique system of different motors and a 3-cylinder, 1.5 liter petrol engine. The vehicle has been tested by a variety of different drivers, and currently reaches 60 miles per hour from a complete standstill in 3.8 seconds. To top this off, the BMW i8 is able to reach 100 miles per hour in 9.7 seconds, rivaling some of the top of the line sports cars that are currently on the market. This means that starting from a standstill, the BMW i8 is able to complete a half mile in just under 30 seconds, traveling at 121.1 miles per hour.
Comparison & Ranking
Compared to other cars that have just been released, the BMW i8 ranks in the 0 to 60 bracket along with the Camaro ZL1 and the Jaguar XJR, yet completely beats them in fuel efficiency, running at an incredible 94 miles per gallon due to the efficiency of the hybrid system of the car. Of course, BMW does hope to continue increasing this number in the future in order to continue extending the life of a single tank of petrol.
Overall Great Choice
When looking for an exotic sports car that runs incredibly well, and will save you thousands on gas expenses, the BMW i8 absolutely hits the mark. BMW may not be known for most of the sports cars that they release, but this vehicle both looks and runs heads above many of the other sports cars that are in the competition. The BMW i8 looks like a supercharged vehicle, while running like a hybrid, bringing delight to sports car enthusiasts all over the world.
Bmw i8 – 5 Point Review
Styling
With the Bmw i8 model, BMW took quite a detour from its more conservative styled vehicles, adorning its hybrid coupe with an aggressive look and an imposing figure.
The sloping front section reminds us of the looks of a supercar; at the styling department, especially when discussing about sporty models, BMW has never disappointed. The doors are a spectacle all on their own, swinging up and to the front, revealing a carefully sculpted interior, with a futuristic arrangement of the controls, while four individual seats await their occupants. The sleek lines of the roof break when meeting the short rear section, which is a design characteristic of coupe models coming from the German manufacturer.
Driving
From the moment when the driver door is open, which is a ritual in itself, to the moment when the beast’s engine comes to life, there are no compromises made for the Bmw i8 model. A plug-in hybrid by design, the example has an in-line 3 cylinder DOHC turbocharged engine and two electric motors, the total power output being of 357bhp. Accelerating from 0 to 62 takes a mere 4 seconds, although lesser times have been recorded. The full electric mode allows for 22 miles running on pure electricity, at decent cruise speeds, while the top speed of the vehicle is rates at around 155 mph.
Reliability
The new technology implemented in the making of the car should allow for a peace of mind, but definite answers cannot be yet given. BMW offers a warranty of 8 years or 100.000 for the electric battery back, while the rest of the car’s components fall under the standard BMW 3 year warranty. However, electric motors are less prone to mechanical failures, due to their construction – they have far less moving parts. The carbon fibre exterior, characteristic to super sports cars, will have no issues in withstanding any weather conditions, while the 3 cylinder engine, having been in the BMW family for quite some time, has proven its worth.
Running costs
Assuming you were able to pay the hefty price tag, running costs should not pose too many problems. BMW rates the Bmw i8 at 135 mpg on paper, but expect a little less in real life, as driving style and on-road conditions may have an influence on the figures. Being a plug-in hybrid means that you can use a charging station to charge its batteries and thus save some fuel.
Practicality
From the start, the hybrid construction of the vehicle should count as an advantage, as there aren’t many sport cars that can boast a similar configuration. The interior space should suffice the needs of four occupants, but the passengers in the back might feel a bit cramped, as there is limited leg room. The compact rear end, however, does not offer much storage space, save for a couple of bags, but not for large luggage. The fast charging times of the batteries are a definite advantage, as they allow you to travel somewhere even if low on gas, which is a welcome asset.
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Nov 1 2014
Toyota Prius 2014 Review
Quite possibly the most popular hybrid car in the world, the Toyota Prius has reached its third generation. Having a slightly redesigned exterior, a more powerful propulsion unit and an even smaller carbon footprint than before, it’s still the car to go for if you fancy having an eco-friendly image.
While being a hybrid automobile is no longer a novelty nowadays, it’s mostly remembered as the car that started the hybrid trend and it still holds the title of having the lowest amount of emissions for a vehicle of its size. Speaking of emissions, the basic model, the T3, can brag with a total amount of carbon dioxide of only 89g/km, which means it’s both exempted from road tax and from London’s infamous congestion charge.
Visually, the Toyota Prius has kept the same wedge-shaped, iconic profile, which others have tried to imitate – such as the Honda Insight, which shares more than a few styling cues with the hybrid veteran.
The fascia is dominated by the sharp headlights, which extend a bit onto the sides of the front wings, the blue highlighted Toyota logo on the nose and the large horizontal slot in the front bumper. On either side, mounted vertically, are a set of fog lights. Curiously enough, the headlamps also feature a subtle blue hue, which surrounds them and serves as very nice detailing. The Toyota Prius hatchback profile must be one of the most recognizable in the world, with the arched back and distinctive window line. Round the back, boomerang-like lamps are made out of a myriad of LEDs and include chrome details, giving it not only a touch of personality, but also scoring in the looks department. The rear window is a bit small, but the addition of another one, situated on the roof, preceding the spoiler, lets more light enter the vehicle; this small bit of stylistic artifice allows for a more individualistic look and for a more airy interior atmosphere.
There are 3 versions of the Toyota Prius in terms of trim – the basic T3 model, the T4 – which serves as middle ground and the T Spirit, the top dog. Two new versions of the cars have been introduced recently, namely the Prius Plug-In Hybrid, which promises only 49g/km of CO2 (but comes at a cost) and the 7 seat Prius +, which includes an extra row of seats and acts as an MPV.
All cars come with the same CVT automatic transmission and a 1.8 litre VVT-i petrol engine. The total power output is 136 bhp and it represents the combined value of the petrol engine and the electric motor. However, regardless of trim level or options, you won’t be able to select another power plant so it’s either this or another model.
Toyota Prius 2014 – 5 Point Review
Design
Driving
The acceleration time from 0 to 62 is rated at 10.4 seconds; not the most impressive figure we’ve seen, but considering it’s a hybrid car and not a sport saloon, this should be sufficient for most people. The ride, although comfortable enough, still seems too stiff; the reason many lie in the fact that the springs had to be stiffened in order to support the load of the electric motor so do mind the bumps and potholes, as they’ll be felt in the cabin. The steering is precise and the tires offer plenty of grip, but agility is not one of the strong points of the Toyota Prius, as the CVT transmission doesn’t allow for overly sporty driving.
Reliability
Toyota, as a manufacturer, has long forged an identity of being one of the best in terms of engine reliability. Not shy at all when it came to introducing new technologies to the masses, the Japanese giant also handles any complaints with care, as it has an excellent customer service. All cars come with a 3 year manufacturer warranty, as well as a 5 year one for the hybrid system. One of the most common complaints that plagued earlier versions of the Toyota Prius was the battery, which depleted rather fast, leaving drivers frustrated, but the present generation has received a new upgrade, which should put those worries to a rest.
Running costs
The base model, the T3 comes in at £21,995, while the T Spirit version will cost £25,295. The Plug-In Hybrid will set you back £28,395 but you’ll be able to recharge it from a regular socket; The 7 seat Prius+ varies between £26,145 and £29,445, according to the trim level. The Plug-In Hybrid also holds the records for the best fuel economy as the official figures indicate 134.5mpg and 15.5 miles autonomy in electric power alone. The T3, which will probably top the sales, manages a respectable 72.4 mpg.
Practicality
The Toyota Prius comes as a five-door hatchback, which should guarantee its practical nature. Please bear in mind that due to the arched design of the roof, tall people may have a hard time on the back seat, as they might hit their head against it. The interior includes a host of cup holders, small storage partitions and a large glove box compartment, and the doors are also able to hold a bottle of water. The boot measures 446 litres, which should be reasonable for everyday use, but the good news is that it can be extended to 1.120 litres by folding the back seats, which lie completely flat. Underneath the regular boot, there’s also another storage compartment, which can be put to use in case you have anything to keep from prying eyes.
Want to know more about the Toyota Prius 2014? is so click here.
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By Lee Porter • Car Reviews • 0 • Tags: best hybrid car 2014, hybrid car, prius hybrid