L.A. Auto Show: BMW debuts i8 as seen in ‘Mission: Impossible’ movie
“Mission: Impossible” fans looking for a slice of Ethan Hunt’s wild life can get behind the wheel of his car -- provided they’ve got $137,000 to burn.
BMW’s forthcoming i8 sports car was given its North American debut at the L.A. Auto Show this week. The all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid sports car goes on sale in the middle of next year.
Along with other BMWs, a prototype of the i8 made a memorable appearance in Paramount Pictures’ “Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol,” the Tom Cruise-starring film that was released in December 2011. The movie took in $695 million worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo.
During the film’s climax, Cruise’s Hunt uses the i8 to dash through snarled Mumbai traffic in an effort to stop a madman from launching a nuclear missile. Along the way, actress Paula Patton’s Jane Carter provides navigational support.
The car’s appearance in the film was the result of a marketing partnership between BMW and Viacom Inc.-owned Paramount. In exchange for various BMWs appearing in the picture, the car company committed to a global advertising campaign -- called “Mission to Drive” -- that promoted the brand and the film.
Paramount declined to disclose the financial terms of the arrangement.
The i8 concept car was shown at the L.A. Auto Show in 2011. The production version won’t come cheap.
ON LOCATION: Where the cameras roll
The 362-horsepower i8, which has eye-catching doors that open upward, will start at just under $137,000. The car is powered by a turbocharged three-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 231 horsepower, and an electric motor that makes 131 horsepower.
BMW says the i8 will accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 4.4 seconds, and turn in a fuel economy rating of 94 MPGe. The i8 will travel up to 22 miles on solely electric power.
The L.A. Auto show runs through Dec. 1.
ALSO:
L.A. Auto Show: Honda debuts fuel-cell concept car
L.A. Auto Show: Kia moves upmarket with luxury K900
L.A. Auto Show: New BMW convertible debuts; i8, X4 concepts on display
MORE
ON LOCATION: People and places behind what’s onscreen
PHOTOS: On the set: movies and TV
PHOTOS: Celebrity production companies
From the Oscars to the Emmys.
Get the Envelope newsletter for exclusive awards season coverage, behind-the-scenes stories from the Envelope podcast and columnist Glenn Whipp’s must-read analysis.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
