Today’s BMW i-badged cars are well-known for their distinctive styling, all-electric powertrains and above all, quintessential BMW personality. But did you know that the i8 was the first model that started the legacy, way back in 2014? Inspired by BMW’s Vision EfficientDynamics concept car of 2009, the i8 Concept came two years later, in 2011. Then, BMW stunned the world in 2014 when it released the production i8 in essentially unchanged form. Today, this quirky spaceship-esque car makes for a fine sports car to own and drive. It’s got a sophisticated hybrid powertrain, can do 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, and looks like nothing else. What’s even sweeter is that we’ve got this 2017 BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition for sale right now. Just 100 units of this special edition were made, of which only 15 made it to the United States.

Exterior and Interior
Coated in Protonic Red paint, this 2017 BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition features Frozen Gray Metallic contrast elements for a distinctive, two-tone appearance. At the front, the BMW Laserlight laser headlamps cut through the darkness with verve as this superbly aerodynamic machine slides through the air with nary a ripple. If not for the 20-inch BMW light alloy wheels in Orbit Gray Metallic, you’d swear that this was a craft from outside this world. The interior of this 2017 BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition can seat two adults and two children. It’s got red powered and heated front seats, an Anthracite headliner, BMW floor mats, and carbon fiber plus ceramic interior trim. Get comfortable with the dual-zone automatic climate control, have some tunes pumping through the Harman/Kardon speaker system, and you’re ready to roll. The BMW Active Driving Assistant is also present for enhanced safety and awareness.

Engine
Driving the rear wheels of this 2017 BMW i8 Protonic Red Edition is a 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine. The front wheels also spin via an electric motor. All in all, this car can reportedly develop up to 357hp and 420lb-ft. With all systems operating at full tilt, 0-60 is achievable in 4.4 seconds, according to official BMW testing, and the top speed is capped at 155 mph. Alternatively, you can drive around at speeds of up to 75mph for up to 20 miles on electric power alone.