The new movie "Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol" has been one of the hits of the holiday season, thanks to an all-star cast that includes Tom Cruise, Simon Pegg, Jeremy Renner and the new BMW i8.
That's right, the BMW concept car plays an important role in the film, as do several other BMW vehicles. Yet according to Autoblog, the i8 won't be relegated to the silver screen forever. Recent spy photos at BMW's production facility have confirmed that the car is currently undergoing testing before its expected release in 2013.
The new model mixes an electric powertrain with the power and styling of a sports car. The i8 reportedly goes from 0 to 60 in about 4.8 seconds, using an electric motor paired with a four-cylinder engine. There's even talk of an "M" high-performance variant that could push the horsepower over 450.
The concept version of the car shown in the film is known as the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics, and drivers can expect some changes when the model hits the market. For one thing, it's likely that the new i8 will not feature the eye-catching butterfly doors seen on the concept version.
While Ethan Hunt likely doesn't have to worry too much about auto maintenance, normal drivers do. Routine procedures like tune-ups and oil changes can help extend the lifespan of any car.