BMW i8

Lore & Background

In the world of Forza, the BMW i8 occupies a fascinating niche. Where most Supercar-class rivals are pure combustion thunder—flat-plane V8s, high-revving V10s—the i8 brings a different philosophy to the grid. Its powertrain pairs a compact turbocharged three-cylinder with an electric motor, delivering a low-end surge that feels almost instantaneous before the petrol engine spools up. For players who have spent hours chasing top-end horsepower, the i8's character is a welcome contrast: it pulls hard from a standstill, shifts through its six-speed automatic with a briskness that suits its weight, and rewards smooth throttle application over brute force.

In Their Own Story

The rain had just stopped over the coast road, and the asphalt still glistened under a bruised purple sky. You dropped the i8 into third, feeling the electric motor fill the gap before the three-cylinder caught its breath, and the car slid through the hairpin with a faint, high-pitched whine that no V8 could ever replicate. Behind you, the engine note of a rival supercar faded into the mist. You didn't need to match its top speed. You just needed to be the one still smiling when the next corner came.

Reader's Guide

Full model: BMW i8, 2014, Supercar class. Stock, the i8 delivers roughly 340 hp of combined output, weighs around 1,490 kg, and handles with a quick, light feel that suits twisty roads more than long, flat-out straights. Its six-speed automatic shifts briskly, and the electric assist gives it a strong initial pull off the line.

Tuning levers in Forza let you upgrade the engine for more mid-range torque, swap in a different transmission for closer ratios, stiffen the suspension, add downforce, upgrade brakes, and choose tire compounds. You can push the i8's top speed and cornering grip a meaningful distance above stock, but every aero or power addition adds drag or weight, and the car's narrow power band means it still won't match a pure V8 on a 2-kilometer straight no matter how you tune it. The sweet spot is usually a balanced mix: modest engine gains, a good transmission, and enough aero to keep it planted without killing its agility.

Build philosophy: treat the i8 as a style-and-response car—tune it to feel sharp, quick, and alive in corners, and accept that its magic is in the character, not the raw straight-line number.

Did You Know?

• The BMW i8's powertrain uses a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor, making it one of the few production supercars with a three-cylinder petrol unit at its core.
• In Forza's Supercar class, the i8 is notably lighter than many of its combustion-powered rivals, which gives it a weight advantage in cornering despite a narrower power band.
• The car's distinctive translucent green side panel is a design signature that has made it one of the most photographed and screenshot-shared cars in the Forza community.
• The i8's butterfly doors and low-slung profile make it a popular choice for players who prioritize visual impact and social-media-worthy shots in Forza Horizon's open-world environments.