This is it, BMW->ke178. Years of research, testing, and development has culminated in the upcoming release of the new BMW i8->ke4622. With the arrival of BMW's first plug-in hybrid->ke147 supercar->ke177 drawing closer and closer, the German automaker has launched a global campaign to showcase the history of the i8, from its genesis as a concept->ke169 vehicle all the way to its arrival in dealerships in August 2014. The campaign began on May 9th and will run the gamut of media platforms, ranging from TV spots and print ads, all of which tell the story of a car that has, in so many ways, become synonymous with BMW technology.

The unquestioned star of this campaign is the i8, putting the focus on the hybrid supercar->ke177's design, performance, and innovation. If anything, BMW is pulling out all the stops with this media blitz, enlisting Gus Van Sant, the man behind Oscar-winning films such as “Good Will Hunting," “Milk” and “My Private Idaho," to direct the three TV spots, namely "Genesis," "Powerful Idea," and "Attitude".

Complementing the TV spots will be a series of seven print ads that highlight the i8's attributes as a real car for the ages. Like Van Sant's work on the TV spots, these print ads carry the cache of being photographed by renowned photographer Uwe Düttmann.

If there was any question as to how important the BMW i8 is to the Bavarian automaker, the fact that the company is going to this length to promote the hybrid->ke147 supercar tells you that the i8 could very well be one of those iconic cars that defines this BMW generation.

Click past the jump to read more about the BMW i8.

Why It Matters

It matters because BMW has spent a lot of time and money developing the i8. With so much invested on it, it's only fitting that the Bavarian automaker pull all the stops to ensure that the world is introduced to the plug-in hybrid supercar through all appropriate media channels.

BMW i8

The production-version BMW i8 made its world debut at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show after a series of concept cars were revealed in the previous years.

The i8 is powered by a hybrid powertrain that combines a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine that delivers 231 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels with an electric motor that produces 131 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque driving the front ones.

With a combined output of 362 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, the i8 goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and sprints to a top speed of 155 mph.

On the U.S. market the i8 is priced from $135,925.

BMW i8 Powerful Idea

BMW i8 Genesis

BMW i8 Attitude