How would you compare the ride and handling with your i8 BMW?
A completely different kettle of fish Peter!
Quite hard to compare, as they're such different cars. With the SSL setup on the Aero 8 , they're now both credible long distance GTs - I'd take the I8 on serious mile-munching long motorway runs, and the Aero 8 for fun cross country A and B road blasts. The I8 for shopping trips (running silently on electricity), and the Aero for a dash out to the countryside, unless it's raining.
As for handling, the I8 has three modes -
In Eco mode, the i8 is a front wheel drive electric car with city suspension settings. Quiet, soft and comfortable.
In Comfort mode, it's a front wheel drive electric, supported a little by the mid engine driving the rear wheels, when needed. Push on in the bends and neutral handling turns to understeer.
In Sport, it's a mid engined, two to four wheel drive, with front wheel support when needed. Handling is a bit like the Shipping Forecast - "Neutral handling, becoming rear-push power oversteer maybe" when using the loud pedal - which you do, 'cos that's why you put it in sport mode in the first place.
In acceleration terms they're very similar - Road & Track clocked the original I8 to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, though with four wheel drive available, and a the weight being low & central you'd always feel more comfortable carrying more speed through bends.
The Aero has more grunt than grip, and makes a better sound, so it's a lot more fun to drive. And more challenging, in a good way. Next time I fit rubber I must have a look at a stickier tyre than the current Yokohama.
Will
