BMW makes the i8 even rarer with one-off Concours d’Elegance Edition

By Stephen Edelstein Published August 12, 2014

It’s not uncommon for automakers to create special editions of existing models to keep customers interested, using exclusivity and exotic paint colors as selling tools.

BMW shouldn’t have any trouble moving the 2015 i8 plug-in hybrid, but it’s created a special edition nonetheless. Named for the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance where it will debut, the i8 Concours d’Elegance Edition is very special indeed.

That’s because it’s one-of-a-kind. You’re looking at the sole example, which will be auctioned off at the Gooding & Company event this Saturday and make its way into the garage of one iconoclastic owner.

Aside from its singular status, the special-edition i8 is distinguished by BMW’s Frozen Grey Metallic paint. Previously seen on other models like the previous-generation M3 (and mocked by Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear), it’s got a finish that’s flat but with metallic effect.

RELATED: 2015 BMW i8 first drive review

On the inside, the i8 sports Dalbergia Brown leather upholstery which, in keeping with the car’s green mission, is dyed using plant extracts. It also gets the top Pure Impulse Tera World interior trim, with accents in BMW Blue.

BMW also plans to equip the i8 Concours d’Elegance Edition with laser headlights, pending U.S. government approval. The buyer also gets a charging station, and a set of Louis Vuitton luggage.

Unchanged is the plug-in hybrid powertrain, which consists of a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder gasoline engine with six-speed automatic transmission, and an electric motor. Combined power output is 362 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque.

With its groundbreaking design, the i8 is sure to be remembered as a significant car. How will it stack up against the acknowledged classics at Pebble Beach today?

Perhaps one-off version will return to Pebble in a few decades, and move from the auction block to the lawn for display among other classic.

Topics

Photo Galleries

Stephen Edelstein

Contributing Editor

Stephen is a freelance automotive journalist covering all things cars. He likes anything with four wheels, from classic cars…

Cars

Kia EV4: everything we know so far

Kia EV4 Front

Kia is continuing to expand its electric car lineup. The EV6 and EV9 have both been out for some time now, and the company is in the middle of rolling out the EV3 in Europe, with a North American release expected next year. After that, it's likely the company will turn to the EV5. But what about after that? Well, that could be where the Kia EV4 comes in.

Kia announced a concept version of the EV4 at its EV Day in 2023, showing off a futuristic-looking hatchback that's seemingly a little smaller than the EV6, but keeps many design elements. Since then, Kia has confirmed very few details about it, though we have seen it shown off at other automotive events. Here's everything we know about the Kia EV4 so far.
Kia EV4 design
The Kia EV4, or at least the concept version of it, is smaller than the EV6, and much smaller than the EV9. It's actually closer in size to a sedan than anything else, though with its open trunk, it could be considered a hatchback. Regardless, it certainly blurs the line between the two. So much so, that in recent months we've actually seen a full hatchback version of the EV4 being tested -- and it's possible that Kia is pivoting the design of the EV4 entirely to be a hatch, or will be releasing both hatchback and sedan versions.

Cars

Hertz is selling used Teslas for under $20K, Chevrolet Bolt EVs under $14K

2018 Chevrolet Bolt EV

Tesla CEO Elon Musk recently nixed hopes of a regular Tesla model ever selling for $25,000.

But he was talking about new models. For car rental company Hertz, the race to sell used Teslas and other EVs at ever-lower prices is not only still on but accelerating.

Cars

Never mind slowing sales, 57% of drivers will likely have an EV in 10 years

Sales of electric vehicles (EVs) have slowed globally over the past few years. But should EV makers cater more to the mainstream, it’s likely that 57% of drivers will have an EV in 10 years, consulting firm Accenture says.

Last year, nearly 14 million EVs were sold globally, representing a 35% year-on-year increase. But it was much slower than the 55% sales growth recorded in 2022 and the 121% growth in 2021.