News Source: topspeed.com

If you are going to make a planet friendly hybrid, then why do you need a zillion horsepower V-12? Well, BMW has taken a different approach on this. The BMW i8  uses a 1.5-liter, three-cylinder gasoline-powered engine that technically shouldn’t be enough to challenge the likes of the P1, LaFerrari or the Porsche  . Then again, the BMW i8 isn’t built to compete with any of these hybrid hypercars.

The engine is bolted right behind the driver’s compartment which makes it mid-engined and power goes to the rear wheels. An electric motor is coupled to the front axle, while batteries are hidden away in the bowels of the carbon-fiber-composite monocoque. In fact, the whole car is made up of a new type of composite panels that are strong and lightweight. Thanks to its low overall weight, the 362 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque is enough to accelerate the BMW  i8 to 60 mph in just 4.4 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155 mph.

Moreover, the BMW i8  is a well-thought compromise between a high-performance sports car and an economical, almost zero emissions city cruiser. We think, the i8 is a revolutionary step towards the future electric/hybrid car and hence it deserves to be in our top 10 list of cars made in 2013, but its low performance for the price dropped it down our list.