# Plug-In Sportscar Hybrids The Radically Innovative BMW i8 is a First for the Car Company By Meghan Young | Published 2014-10-21 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bmw-i8 References: [coolhunting](http://www.coolhunting.com/design/test-drive-2015-bmw-i8.php) & [zaha-hadid](http://www.zaha-hadid.com/architecture/bmw-central-building/) Car companies are recognizing the need to introduce electric alternatives on their current vehicle rosters and designs such as the [BMW](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/concept-xm) i8 prove that this direction will in no way affect their brands. Of course, that is assuming they all turn out like the BMW i8. A radically [innovative sports car](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/california-corvette), the BMW i8 is the company's first [plug-in hybrid](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mercedesbenz-canada1), and it ushers in an exciting new territory. Test driven by Michael Mraz earlier this year, he describes the BMW i8 enthusiastically, "It’s a freak of technology. A four-wheeled disrupter. This carbon-fiber-bodied-sportscar has the potential to forever change the way automobiles are built." A sleek two-door design, the BMW i8 boasts impressive figures as well as materials. It is the first mass-produced car to features manufactured carbon-fiber reinforced plastic. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.0/10 - Popularity: 77% | Activity: 6% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles:** The success of BMW's i8 proves that introducing electric alternatives will not negatively affect a car's brand identity, opening up opportunities for more plug-in hybrid vehicles. - **Carbon-fiber-reinforced Plastic:** The BMW i8's use of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic in a mass-produced car opens the door for more lightweight, high-performance, and eco-friendly materials in the automotive industry. - **Innovation in Sports Car Design:** The BMW i8's design combines sleek and futuristic styling with advanced technology, paving the way for more innovative and disruptive sports car designs in the future. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Automotive Industry:** Car companies can explore the potential in producing plug-in hybrid vehicles and eco-friendly materials to create more advanced, high-performance, and competitive models. - **Technology Industry:** There is an opportunity for the technology industry to develop more efficient and sustainable power systems for plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles, fueling the future of clean transportation. - **Carbon Fiber Industry:** The automotive industry's shift towards using lightweight carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic in car designs presents growth opportunities for the carbon fiber industry to innovate and produce more sustainable and cost-effective materials. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Futuristic Hybrid SUVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/concept-xm.md) - [Monstrously Powerful Hybrid SUVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/powerful-hybrid-suv.md) - [Dynamic Precision Sports Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bmw-concept-skytop.md) - [Ultra-Sporty EV Sedans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2027-bmw-i3.md) - [Powerful Performance Hybrid SUVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bmw-xm.md) - [Reimagined Compact EVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compact-ev.md) - [Sleek Premium EV Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vision-neue-klasse.md) - [Ultra-Sporty Luxury Sedan EVs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bmw-i7-m70-xdrive.md) - [Curvaceous Electric Concept Cars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/curvaceous-electric-concept-cars.md)