Imitation being the sincerest form of flattery...

BMW introduced the i8 today:

BMW i8 : Technical data

It's the first competing plug-in hybrid built pretty much the same as a PiP, with a few slight differences:

• It weighs 113 lb more
• It has 6 or 7 more miles of electric range (61% larger traction battery)
• A couple hundred miles less gas range.
• Not quite as much rear seat or trunk room.

Oh, yeah - it also costs $102,700 more.

 

0 to 62 in 4.4, actually - almost 2 1/2 times as quickly as the PiP at 10.7 sec.

My post was meant to be a bit tongue-in-cheek, but (at least for me) the styling and and acceleration are the i8's only substantial advantages over a PiP. The i8 is drop-dead gorgeous.

Fact is, I love where BMW is going with the i3. I've already placed a deposit for one, and am looking forward to delivery next spring. It will be be my wife's car for her 58 mile round trip to work, with my 130mpg gas-hog PiP relegated to long distance and large cargo hauling trips. With $12.500 in federal and state tax credits, it is still a bargain. Yes, it is $12,550 more than a Leaf, which is identical to the i3 in nearly every respect, but she simply does not feel safe driving with the limited visibility imposed by the Leaf's awkward A-pillar structure.