This weekend marks the launch of BMW’s most innovative production ever, the i8, in the United Kingdom. The three-cylinder hybrid sports car, which rivals Porsche 911 in terms of performance and Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid in terms of economy, starts from £94,845.

The powertrain in the 2015 BMW i8 is one of the most sophisticated hybrid systems in the world, combining small displacement, turbocharging, and electric motors. It consists of a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor, generating a combined output of 362 horsepower and over 570 Nm of torque.

Performance numbers for the 2015 BMW i8 are equally impressive, with a 0 to 62 mph time of 4.5 seconds and a limited top speed of 155 mph. Claimed fuel economy figures for the car 135 mpg and 49 g/km CO2, but that’s the absolute best. Real world tests have shown it to be more like 60 mpg highway/35 city.

The new BMW i8 will be supplied with a standard 10amp/2.4kW five metre charging cable to enable charging from a 3-pin socket with a zero to 80 per cent charge in under three hours. It also benefits from 360° ELECTRIC services, including networked navigation including dynamic range mapping, efficient ECO routing, and access to a range of Electric Packages helping to provide flexible mobility.

BMW i8 comes in four colors, three of which made specifically for this car, and 20-inch wheels with skinny tires, for a sports car at least.