Hybrid i8 reinvents sports car

The BMW i8 shows hybrids don't have to be dull.Picture / Ted Baghurst

Award judges hail 'special' BMW as game-changer for car industry

The BMW i8 plug-in hybrid sports car has been crowned UK Car of the Year for 2015.

Having fought off stiff competition to the title of Performance Car of the Year, the four-seat technological tour de force also won the overall vote.

Launched in 2014, the UK Car of the Year Awards are judged by 27 of Britain's most-read motoring journalists. Each judge picks out the top performer in 12 categories, before deciding the overall winner from their favourites in each class.

The win for the i8 -- powered by the combination of a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder engine and 96kW electric motor -- means back-to-back wins for the BMW 'i' brand. Twelve months ago, the German manufacturer was picking up the inaugural title for its i3 small electric car.

John Challen, managing director of UK Car of the Year Awards and editor of ukcoty.co.uk, said: "The automotive industry has seen many hybrid models in recent years, but nothing quite like the i8.

"The term 'game-changer' is sometimes overused when talking about new cars, but in the case of the i8 it is totally justified. The latest 'i' model completely redefines the performance-car segment, and is helped by a hybrid powertrain that is really quite special."

Graeme Grieve, BMW UK ceo, said: "The i8 is the culmination of many years of investment, hard work and commitment to create the world's most progressive sports car. With our first two BMW i vehicles -- the i3 and i8 -- being named consecutive UK Car of the Year winners, our technology strategy is being recognised as truly game-changing for the car industry."

Several of the judges praised the triumphant car. One said it was "a fantastic demonstration that an electrically powered future need not be dull", while another added: "The i8 represents the future.

"It also shows us that being excited and being eco-conscious behind the wheel aren't mutually exclusive."

Honestjohn.co.uk's David Ross said: "The BMW i8 basically reinvents the performance car. Stunning to look at, and amazing to drive, there's nothing else like it out there."

Top Gear's Tom Ford described the i8 as "hybrid, clever, exciting -- the i8 manages to be a consummate driving experience."

In the overall Car of the Year class, which included vehicles as disparate as the Volkswagen Passat Estate and the Rolls-Royce Ghost, 14 of the 27 judges chose the BMW. The nearest challenger was the Citroen C4 Cactus, followed by the Renault Twingo.

Telegraph Group Ltd