So the BMW i8 is finally revealed in its full production trim, and the good news for the fans of Sci-Fi movies is that its looks are identical to the concept version. Sure, it looks a bit less outlandish in black, but all the panels are, crucially, the same.

The i8 may at first seem like a nerd’s wet dream, both in terms of looks and its technology, but the fact is that this car offers the best of petrol-powered car and the best of the electric-powered cars, with none of the drawbacks. And as for the looks, well, BMW design has been controversial for over a decade now. So you better get used to it.

BMW i8 features a carbon fiber passenger cell and an aluminum frame for the combustion engine and electric motor, the battery pack and the suspension. The way they’ve put all these together and made it work beggars belief. The packaging in this car is super clever.

The end result is a 1,490 kg, 2+2 coupe that with a total output of 360 horsepower and 420 lb-ft (570 Nm) of torque, is capable of going from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds, reach a top speed of 250 km/h, average 2.5 liters per 100 km (94 US mpg), and even offer 36 km (20 miles) of pure electric drive. Total range is 500 km.

The hybrid system in this car consists of a 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine that powers the rear wheels, and an electric motor that powers the front axle. As with all hybrid cars of this type, the driver can choose between different driving modes depending on his own mood.

On new and groundbreaking feature of the BMW i8 is its laser headlights (optional extra). The advantages of these headlights include a brighter, whiter light that is pleasant to the eyes, a higher intensity than conventional LEDs, and 50 percent better energy efficiency. They will cost a fair bit of money though.