BMW has always received praised for their fantastic six-cylinder engines. Mostly by the people that haven’t realized they built their reputation on staunch, reliable four-cylinders in Germany. And of course, the enlightened enthusiast realizes that BMW just knows how to make a damn satisfying powetrain. Which leads us to hybridization. Like it or not, it’s here to stay. And whether you’re not quite sold on EV life, or just bridging the gap until it’s time – here are some great hybrid BMWs to get you there.
Just to insert a little bit of journalistic bias, I’ve never been a huge fan of the 5 Series. I’ve always felt the E39 was the high point – everything else has just felt a bit too ponderous for me to consider it as a seriously sporting sedan. The G30 530e is no exception – it debuted with 16 miles of electric range and a sad 248 horsepower to lug around 4000 pounds. It’s almost a foot longer and sits two inches higher in the air than a comparable 3 Series. This adds to the already bloated feeling the G30 chassis delivers.
But it makes this list because it’s a damn good bargain these days. Despite weighing in at a significant 4300 pounds, the location of the electric battery and well-tuned suspension make it still convincingly sporting for the segment its in. Its softer suspension lends it to good daily driving duties too – how many cars can you really offer up as both a daily drifter and a church taxi?
The i8 is, rather undeniably, the best-looking hybrid ever made. The sculpted side profile combined with a carefully crafted rear end makes the i8 look futuristic, even 10 years later. I’ll be blunt: the i8’s supermodel looks write checks that the powertrain can’t quite work off. But I’m not quite sure that it’s less fun because of it.
An i8 can be had for well under its original $140,000 price tag these days – and I mean way under. For about $70,000 you can get a pretty dang decent version of it. And if you live close to work, you can swear…
