Top Gear Review: AMG GT vs Porsche 911 Turbo vs BMW i8

The Automotive Enthusiast · 07-02-2015, 07:47 AM

Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Review @ http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/amg...-i8-2015-06-30

***SPOILER****

Here's an excerpt:

Quote:

These are three very disparate cars, and you could construct an argument for any of them to win. But despite that, despite the fact I usually have a deep and abiding love of beefy rear-drive AMGs, the GT finishes last. The other two are harder to separate, but in all honesty, if the god of road tests descended and told me I could drive away in one, it'd be the i8. I can't tell you how much it surprises me to be putting a petrol-electric ahead of an AMG and a 911, but the BMW is not just a sporty hybrid, it's a car that's enthralling and mesmerising on so many levels.

Epirali · 07-02-2015, 08:55 AM

Have to admit that is a bit surprising!

jcpca356 · 07-02-2015, 09:49 AM

I have a Porsche too and yes I pick the i8 also!

rap427 · 07-02-2015, 03:50 PM

The i8 also puts more pressure on Porsche to build a reasonably priced hybrid, most of us don't have a million to play with cars.

YWGT3 · 07-03-2015, 02:58 PM

Agree with the reviewer .. the i8 is rather intoxicating on many levels. Its low emissions, great mpg, nimble, fast and grand touring abilities all wrapped into one, makes it a benchmark for others to follow.

The Merc GT on the other hand, with its brute power, seemed less predictable and less surefooted when it came to handling during a test drive. The stark contrast became glaringly apparent between the two cars as I drove away from the GT test drive in the i8. The Merc felt like an amalgamation of a beast of a powertrain with a less compliant or agreeable chassis. Whereas, the i8 was an attempt towards exact science where every element of the car seems to work in a cohesive and in a complimentary manner.

As for the Porsche turbo, well it's a Porsche - an extremely well built vehicle that is designed and geared for the track rather than for the public roads.

M3 Adjuster · 07-06-2015, 12:33 PM

what's " Top Gear.. " ?

seandalal · 07-06-2015, 12:36 PM

The I8 should be compared to the Porsche PP Tourismo, Audi R8 etron. You cannot put it up against gaz guzzling horsepower machines yet. Bad article Top gear!

www.carspear.com

tareemaa · 07-06-2015, 01:02 PM

Wow, that is very surprising and very reassuring also, maybe there is still hope and we will still have great cars to drive despite and the changes made to modern drivetrains.

ChiBimmer · 07-06-2015, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcpca356

I have a Porsche too and yes I pick the i8 also!

Can you elaborate? I haven't driven the i8. Fascinated to hear your perspective.

Needsdecaf · 07-06-2015, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seandalal

The I8 should be compared to the Porsche PP Tourismo, Audi R8 etron. You cannot put it up against gaz guzzling horsepower machines yet. Bad article Top gear!

www.carspear.com

Yeah, not really.

motorsport_cat · 07-06-2015, 01:32 PM

Sorry guys, I call bull. As much as I love the i8, with no actual comparison figures and feedback of how it drives, I can't tell if this is a legitimate comparison. All they say about the i8 is how wonderful it is at the end... But, why?

Doctor///M · 07-06-2015, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

what's " Top Gear.. " ?

haha, tru dat.

ASAP · 07-06-2015, 01:46 PM

I think the i8 is a testament of technology and while at the present, it may not be the fastest or most sporty, its looks and what it represents... is a vision of the future. BMW did something right here... and at a price point that is very accessible.

The 911 is clearly the performance king, the GT S the fun king and the i8... a vision of the future.

M2wolf · 07-06-2015, 01:54 PM

Good review. BMW pls build a worthy M1.

ORIGIN M. · 07-06-2015, 02:22 PM

Outstanding!

However, I will take home the 911 Turbo, thank you very much!

JustChris · 07-06-2015, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut

Outstanding!

However, I will take home the 911 Turbo, thank you very much!

Ditto.

SlammedR8 · 07-06-2015, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcpca356

I have a Porsche too and yes I pick the i8 also!

No offense, but you have a 2009 Porsche (and I'm assuming its not a Turbo, as your sig doesn't say so). So I too would take a brand new BMW i8 over any 997 (non-turbo).

However, this is comparing a brand new 991 Turbo which is (again, no offense) leaps and bounds better then any 997, and especially a non turbo 997.

As others have said, this comparison is just not realistic...

Epirali · 07-06-2015, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlammedR8

No offense, but you have a 2009 Porsche (and I'm assuming its not a Turbo, as your sig doesn't say so). So I too would take a brand new BMW i8 over any 997 (non-turbo).

However, this is comparing a brand new 991 Turbo which is (again, no offense) leaps and bounds better then any 997, and especially a non turbo 997.

As others have said, this comparison is just not realistic...

I am not sure why you are all so sure. The comparison is just not in one axis, I have now seen multiple reviewers prefer the i8 over other "better" cars but not just on any one single characteristics.

So what, in your opinion, makes it impossible for someone to pick the i8 over a 991 Turbo? Speed? Handling? Ride characteristics? Interior? Quietness? Ability to shift character of the car? Effortlessness? Fuel Efficiency? How quickly you can accelerate out of a curve? The innovative technology? Ability to have an all electric drive?

For example could you believe as much as I love the R8 I would pick the i8 over the R8 any day?

ZEEM3R · 07-06-2015, 04:32 PM

Yeah umm... I'll take the Porsche, thank you very much.

nathanm4 · 07-06-2015, 04:35 PM

I would take i8 any day over the other two!!!!!!!!!

Can't deny the fact that i8 is the beginning of new era!

Unique futuristic design that only BMW engineer/designer teams can create!

Epirali · 07-06-2015, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nathanm4

I would take i8 any day over the other two!!!!!!!!!

Can't deny the fact that i8 is the beginning of new era!

Unique futuristic design that only BMW engineer/designer teams can create!

I think it may break on two things:

1) Have you actually driven one or is it just a "concept" because it is hard to describe the car unless you have experienced it, and

2) Whether you prefer the good old fashioned "best of breed" traditional design or do you prefer more technical designs.

pimp4cheddar · 07-06-2015, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SlammedR8

No offense, but you have a 2009 Porsche (and I'm assuming its not a Turbo, as your sig doesn't say so). So I too would take a brand new BMW i8 over any 997 (non-turbo).

However, this is comparing a brand new 991 Turbo which is (again, no offense) leaps and bounds better then any 997, and especially a non turbo 997.

As others have said, this comparison is just not realistic...

Bingo...

Why would it even be compared to a 991 Turbo or the godly AMG GT???

07-02-2015, 08:55 AM	#2
Epirali Lieutenant 198 Rep 578 Posts Drives: BMW e Copper i8 Roadster Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Maryland, USA iTrader: (0)	Have to admit that is a bit surprising!
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07-02-2015, 09:49 AM	#3
jcpca356 Lieutenant 164 Rep 465 Posts Drives: i8 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	I have a Porsche too and yes I pick the i8 also! __________________ 2015 BMW i8, 2018 Triumph Bobber Black, 2005 Lotus Elise Widebody, 2019 Rav4 Hybrid, 2019 Tundra TRD, 2019 Trek Powerfly 5 (love it!)
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07-02-2015, 03:50 PM	#4
rap427 Banned 33 Rep 188 Posts Drives: 2014 BMW i8 Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Knoxville, TN iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 BMW i8 [0.00] 2014 BMW X6 3.5i [0.00] 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo [0.00]	The i8 also puts more pressure on Porsche to build a reasonably priced hybrid, most of us don't have a million to play with cars.
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07-03-2015, 02:58 PM	#5
YWGT3 iDriver 363 Rep 595 Posts Drives: i8, Porsche Taycan T, MB EQE Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: California iTrader: (0)	Agree with the reviewer .. the i8 is rather intoxicating on many levels. Its low emissions, great mpg, nimble, fast and grand touring abilities all wrapped into one, makes it a benchmark for others to follow. The Merc GT on the other hand, with its brute power, seemed less predictable and less surefooted when it came to handling during a test drive. The stark contrast became glaringly apparent between the two cars as I drove away from the GT test drive in the i8. The Merc felt like an amalgamation of a beast of a powertrain with a less compliant or agreeable chassis. Whereas, the i8 was an attempt towards exact science where every element of the car seems to work in a cohesive and in a complimentary manner. As for the Porsche turbo, well it's a Porsche - an extremely well built vehicle that is designed and geared for the track rather than for the public roads. Last edited by YWGT3; 07-06-2015 at 03:04 PM..
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07-06-2015, 12:33 PM	#6
M3 Adjuster Banned 7905 Rep 11,785 Posts Drives: 1M, X1 M Sport, E46 325ic Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dallas, Tx iTrader: (0)	what's " Top Gear.. " ?
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07-06-2015, 12:36 PM	#7
seandalal Enlisted Member 21 Rep 38 Posts Drives: 21 M5 C Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: VA iTrader: (0)	I8 The I8 should be compared to the Porsche PP Tourismo, Audi R8 etron. You cannot put it up against gaz guzzling horsepower machines yet. Bad article Top gear! www.carspear.com
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07-06-2015, 01:02 PM	#8
tareemaa Bimmer Fanatic 368 Rep 1,660 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Chicago iTrader: (7)	Wow, that is very surprising and very reassuring also, maybe there is still hope and we will still have great cars to drive despite and the changes made to modern drivetrains.
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07-06-2015, 01:32 PM	#11
motorsport_cat Second Lieutenant 49 Rep 218 Posts Drives: 1995 740iL Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Montreal iTrader: (0) Garage List 1995 BMW 740iL [0.00]	Sorry guys, I call bull. As much as I love the i8, with no actual comparison figures and feedback of how it drives, I can't tell if this is a legitimate comparison. All they say about the i8 is how wonderful it is at the end... But, why? __________________ ///Meow
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07-06-2015, 01:46 PM	#13
ASAP Major General 10133 Rep 8,611 Posts Drives: '23 X3 M40i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	I think the i8 is a testament of technology and while at the present, it may not be the fastest or most sporty, its looks and what it represents... is a vision of the future. BMW did something right here... and at a price point that is very accessible. The 911 is clearly the performance king, the GT S the fun king and the i8... a vision of the future. __________________ 2 x N54 -> 1 x N55 -> 1 x S55-> 1 x B58
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07-06-2015, 01:54 PM	#14
M2wolf Captain 183 Rep 791 Posts Drives: M2 Manual Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Berks iTrader: (0)	Good review. BMW pls build a worthy M1. __________________ YMB F80 M3 DCT (Gone but never forgotten) AW F87 M2 6MT (Current whip)
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07-06-2015, 02:22 PM	#15
ORIGIN M. Banned 3160 Rep 9,134 Posts Drives: ///M Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Northern Hemisphere iTrader: (0)	Outstanding! However, I will take home the 911 Turbo, thank you very much!
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07-06-2015, 04:32 PM	#19
ZEEM3R Captain 144 Rep 692 Posts Drives: 2016 Jaguar F-Type S AWD Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (1)	Yeah umm... I'll take the Porsche, thank you very much. __________________ 2013 BMW M3 Competition - Gone, But Never Forgotten 2016 Jaguar F-Type S AWD 2016 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Td6 HSE 2017 Porsche Macan Turbo
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07-06-2015, 04:35 PM	#20
nathanm4 Captain 682 Rep 738 Posts Drives: Aston Martin Vantage Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Salt Lake City, UT iTrader: (0)	I would take i8 any day over the other two!!!!!!!!! Can't deny the fact that i8 is the beginning of new era! Unique futuristic design that only BMW engineer/designer teams can create!
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