Most people would never have guessed that BMW's->ke178 first mid-engine sportscar since the M1->ke4680 would go on to win a "World Green Car Of The Year" award, but the i8 actually did it at the 2015 edition of the event. The i8->ke4622 is the second BMW model to win the award in a row, after the smaller i3->ke4694 cliched victory in the World Green Car Category in 2014, and the third model if we also include the title won by the BMW 118d in 2008.

"I am delighted to accept this award on behalf of the team in Munich," said Dr. Ian Robertson, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing BMW, speaking at the Award Ceremony in New York. "The BMW i8 represents the future with its unique lightweight construction and unrivaled connectivity. To win this award for the second year in a row shows that our BMW i products are truly leading the world."

Even though it is touted as the first plug-in hybrid built by BMW and it features low-rolling resistance tires, the i8 is also a sports car->ke506 at heart. The model is powered by a turbocharged, 1.5-liter, three-cylinder with 228 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque. An electric motor->ke1030 delivers an extra 129 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque to the front wheels, essentially making the i8 all-wheel-drive and giving it a combined output of 357 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. That's enough for a 0-60 mph time of 4.2 seconds and a 155 mph top speed.

Continue reading to learn more about the BMW i8.

Why it matters

The BMW i8 was previewed by two near-production concept cars,->ke169 the Vision Efficient Dynamics in 2009 and the i8 Concept in 2011. It finally went on sale last year as a 2015 model, just a few months after its little brother, the BMW i3. Thanks to a 7.1 kWh lithium-ion battery and an all-electric range of 15 miles, the mid-engine sports car can deliver an EPA-rated fuel economy of 76 mpg-e. Despite reports indicating the contrary, BMW has played down rumors that an M-version of the i8 may also be in the works, so don't dream about a green M1-revival any time soon. Even so, the i8 plays in two categories as it is, since it is cross-shopped with both sports cars like the Porsche 911->ke282 and sporty EVs like the Tesla Model S.

BMW i8

Read our full review here.