What is it?
A pair of radical looking cars complete with laser headlights that showcase BMW's new i sub-brand. The i3 is an electric car with a projected range of 150km that utilises lightweight aluminium and carbon fibre in its construction. As too does the i8, but there the similarities end. The bigger car is a plug-in hybrid that is said to deliver 87mpg yet can sprint to 62mph in less than five seconds.
Why's it here?
The i8 has been with us since the previous Frankfurt show in 2009 (known as the EfficientDynamics concept at the time) and not a lot has changed since then. With production scheduled to start in 2013 you would expect some of the concept silliness like the i8's door to have made way for more conventional solutions.
Show stopper or floor filler?
Both cars are almost turning into perennial concepts at this stage. The i3 looks like it could roll off the production line in the morning but the i8 is still needlessly frivolous. Revealed alongside the new BMW M5, you can guess which one attracted the most attention.