Not content beating Audi to the “world first” laser-headlight punch, BMW is as bent as an artisan-reclaimed wood table on snagging at least one more laser-headlight “first.” BMW’s search for a laser-guided win locked onto the United States, where Audi’s special-edition R8 LMX—the second production car to market with laser high beams—will not be sold. So that’s exactly where BMW’s first laser-headlight-capable car, the i8 plug-in-hybrid sports car, is going. And fast.
Audi, meet the car that has beaten you to market in the U.S. with laser headlights—er, so long as pesky lighting regulations don’t get in the way. (BMW hasn’t cleared that hurdle quite yet but is quick to point out that if it can’t sell new i8s with the lasers, it’ll retrofit them later.) This i8, a one-off, special-edition model dubbed the “Concours d’Elegance Edition,” will be auctioned by Gooding and Company—where else—at this year’s Pebble Beach concours.
- 2014 BMW i8 Tested: Destination, THE FUTURE
- 2014 BMW i3 Driven: Anything But Blasphemous
- BMW i8 Research: Full Pricing, Specs, Reviews, and More
By all indications, this is the first i8 to be offered stateside, being auctioned well before the model goes on sale in the fall. That means it should bring a bale of cash (Gooding has published a high-end estimate of $200,000, but there’s no reserve), so here’s what one moneyed BMW fan will get:
The special edition gets BMW’s “Individual” Frozen Grey metallic paint, the top-spec Pure Impulse interior layout done with Dalbergia Brown leather, BMW i Blue accent stitching and seatbelts, “BMW i8” headrest embossments, and a display key equipped with an LCD touch screen. While most of this gear is available on lesser i8s, the one-off’s “Concours d’Elegance Edition” laser etching in the cabin isn’t.
For a chance to bid on this unique, first-U.S.-spec i8, scooch on over to Pebble Beach next week. And bring your checkbook.
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