Call Me George
Back in the late 70’s and early 80’s, I grew up watching re-runs of The Jetsons. Some of our younger community members may have first seen The Jetsons on YouTube. Some of our older community members may have sat through a few episodes with their own children during the original broadcasts in the early 60’s.
The animated sci-fi series ignited dreams of what the future could bring. During my formative years, I wondered when I’d eventually be pressing a button for an instant breakfast and piloting my own space car…that would fold into a briefcase.
After viewing hundreds of reruns of The Jetsons as a child, my mind was primed for the future. By the time I was George Jetson’s age, I figured that I’d be living the dream. Unfortunately, no one told me that the series was staged in 2062.
Well, now I’m around George’s age. 2062 is too long to wait. My future is now. Today’s most futuristic car may not fly above the road but it certainly flies on it. It’s the BMW i8. This week, my extended visit with the i8 at BMW of Towson made me feel like a kid again.
Space-age look? Check. Every angle and groove has a beautiful and aerodynamic purpose, resulting in a very low 0.26 coefficient of drag.
Space-age technology? Check. Blend the rear-mounted TwinPower Turbo 3-cylinder, 1.5-liter combustion engine with an electric motor for a combined maximum power of 357 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. The miracle here is that 129 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque come from the electric motor near the front axle. This potent combo delivers a 0-60 time near 4 seconds.
How about mpg? Of course, it depends on your typical driving style and distance. If your commute is around 20 miles or less, it could be covered completely in electric mode. Over the long term, if you’re lighter on the pedal, mpg can register in the 70’s. The average driver will see mpg in the low 40’s.
Now you can get your ‘green’ and your ‘go’ in a stunning package. This is what dreams are made of. George Jetson approved!
For more photos of the BMW i8, you can check the Hunt Valley Horsepower Fan Page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HuntValleyHorsepower.