The BMW i8 sports car has been in development for years. BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car as it was called in the concept stage was first unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. 2 years later the car once again appeared at the Frankfurt Motor Show this time with slightly different styling and a sleeker name, the BMW i8. This sports car is an exciting move for the German automaker as it features supercar performance with the gas mileage of a compact sedan. Emissions are also good thanks to a hybrid gas-electric motor.

The i8 falls under BMW's "Project i" brand. As such, it will be sold at specialized dealerships just like the automaker's Mini Cooper is. Other i Series cars are in the works including an urban specific vehicle called the i3, whose design is reminiscent of the Scion xB. The BMW i8 and i3 are slated to come out in Spring 2014. The i8 will cost a pretty penny, $135,925, with the basic trim package. Other models will follow though their names and price points are anyone's guess at this point.

The i8 is truly a 21st sedan with technologically advanced features such as LifeDrive, a long missile shaped exterior, scissor doors and insanely large 20" rims with thin sports tires. The inside passenger compartment is sure to be ultra sage thanks to its liberal use of carbon fiber. Premium materials like Spheric leather line the driver and passenger seats. It also weighs 20 percent less than traditional leather. The light, airy feeling this car evokes is quite a difference from the brawny build of a regular BMW.

If you're familiar with General Motors Chevy Volt then you know what a plug-in hybrid means. The i8 uses the aforementioned gas-electric motor to make for a cleaner driving experience. When you run out of battery power the i8 intelligently switches over to the combustion engine. Don't mistake the i8's electric range for that of a Tesla Model S, however. The Model S only uses electric power and dedicates four motors to propel the sedan an impressive 300 miles whereas the i8's single 93-kilowatt motor is capable of a 22 mile range. This is great for short round trips like driving the kids to school or going grocery shopping, but don't expect to travel cross-country on electricity alone.

With a radical new design and amazing handling, the BMW i8 is truly a next generation car. If you don't count yourself among America's 1 percent, though, perhaps the $26,685 starting price of the Chevy Volt is a better fit for your lifestyle. Electric and hybrid cars are here to stay so get with the program and plug in.

Will you be getting a plug-in hybrid? Let us know in the comments section below.