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The world is a funny place. Funny as in being bizarre, isn’t it? I remember not so long ago: microwave ovens making their way into the home and CD players too. Both sounded strange, yet particularly intriguing in their ability to supposedly improve our lives. Okay, so I exaggerate, both these innovative inventions came 30+ years ago, just before Michael J Fox’s 1985 blockbuster, “Back to the Future”- so longer than, “not so long ago”!

Fast forward three decades. Now the energy source that powers your microwave oven and the CD version of “Back to the Future” is running your car: electricity! We’re entering a new age in what gets cars going.

Nissan was first off the dynamo block with their organically sounding, LEAF. Next to the South African roads are two cars Mr Fox’s character, Marty McFly, would appreciate and could comfortably slot into a reprise within the “Back to the Future” franchise. Both feature out of this world looks, and they are the i3 and i8 BMW’s

The LEAF

It’s hard to compare the LEAF to other family hatches. It’s a pioneer in its class, being the world’s first electric and affordable family car. As a result, Nissan has sold over 100 000 of them globally. If you go beyond the LEAF’s looks, it is far more becoming once you have driven and lived with it.

The LEAF is one of my favourite cars of all time, and will stand out in my top three cars of 2014. When I first drove it, its immediate power and 195km range, combined with its silent operation are fascinating.

It isn’t an evolution in motoring history by any stretch of the imagination, but rather a huge gigantic leap in the revolution of car making.

If you have a family with two cars, I urge you to consider the LEAF as a second car. The standard combustion engine car could be used for longer trips, while the LEAF is used for daily commuting. It will be the favourite car in the family, the one everyone will want to drive or be driven in because of its sheer uniqueness.

Keeping the batteries topped up is relatively simple, cost-effective (around R30.00 per charge) and a technologically advanced process. Either via a home charge unit- which is supplied with the Nissan LEAF on purchase and allows the vehicle to fully charge from the main electricity supply. Alternatively, via a quick charge unit located at one of the many Nissan LEAF dealers nationwide. Each dealer features a specialised Nissan LEAF quick charge station, which enables an 80% charge from zero in just 30 minutes, free to Nissan LEAF owners.

The Nissan LEAF is available through selected Nissan dealers nationwide for R476 000 and comes standard with a 3yr/100 000km mechanical warranty and 3yr/90 000km service plan.

Best suited hotspot in Jozi to find a LEAF- I’d take a guess that you’d find one at Greenside’s organically friendly vegan eatery, Greenside Café, or parked outside Father Coffee under Neighbourgoods Market in Braamfontein.

The i3

It looks like a manga cartoon: cute, clever and as if it’s from the future. It’s built off an aluminium base and sandwiched together with a feather light carbon fibre body. What this means is either the all-electric or the range extending electric/petrol motor versions of the i3, are able dart from standstill to 100km/h in just over seven seconds. Despite its new age appearance, the i3 is a true BMW: featuring a rear wheel drive setup and responsive steering system. Though tall, the i3 doesn’t suffer from body roll either. This cocktail of instant power and driver focused dynamic’s makes for a fun car in a playful looking package.

Plug this pug into a three pinned power source and it’ll take you ten hours to get its gauge to read full and would get you an average range of 130km.

Getting inside the i3 is a further adventure. Though the front doors are conventional, the rear ones open in a suicide fashion or like a clamshell. The cabin features Zen like minimalism, using recycled materials throughout. A gorgeous option, which adds a contemporary edge, is a eucalyptus wood inlay.

Though brilliant for around town, with the benefit of good view of the road, the i3 isn’t perfect. It is fitted with firm suspension, which combined with 19” rims exacerbates maters: imagine Hillary Clinton in a bad mood.

From a utility perspective you would expect more, in fact a 1 Series BMW features greater practicality and is strictly a four seater. 

The BMW i3 is available through selected BMW dealers in Gauteng, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban for R525 000 for the eDrive and R595 000 for the eDrive REx range extender. Both models come standard with a 5yr/100 000km mechanical warranty and 5yr/100 000km service plan.

Best suited hotspot in Jozi to find an i3- hmm, it’s a Beemer, so it is bound to hangout where all the cool ‘kids’ are. I’d guess you’d find one arriving or leaving the global exercise trend emporium, MovementX. These boutique fitness studios can be found in either Norwood Mall or Bedfordview Centre.

The i8

The i8 is spectacular. It’s an art form and a vehicle that highlights BMW’s technological prowess. It looks like it’s from the future and can outrun a Porsche Carrera S, yet it is cheaper to run than a Japanese hybrid, like Toyota’s Prius.

The i8 is driven by two power sources. Powering the rear is the MINI Cooper 1.5 three cylinder turbo charged engine, albeit BMW have tinkered with it- so power has been substantially increased. Powering the front wheels is the electric motor.

The i8’s body is made of carbon reinforced plastic and aluminium, which when the stunning gullwing doors are raised, it is easier to spot this unusual material. The purpose is primarily for weight saving purposes. The result: 0 to 100km/h in an eye popping 4.4 seconds.

So, it looks better than any Lamborghini or Ferrari, but does it drive better than one? Not exactly. You see the i8 is more for show. Yes, it is a sports car, but it looks like a supercar, which it isn’t. But that isn’t a bad thing either, let’s face it, no one is going to a racing track in this gorgeous creature.

It’s good at pretending though, fooling onlookers with its superhero looks. It tries to fool its driver too. You see, BMW have piped a soundtrack of an ominous sounding roar through the cars sound system. The soundtrack attempts to mask the cute throbbing noise, which omits from its pintsized three cylinder, that’s hiding mid mounted under the i8.

On the down side, those camp flapping doors mean tight parking bays are a no-no. So too is carting luggage, as the boot is ‘compact’. The glass is half full though- you can order bespoke Louis Vuitton luggage, which fits optimally into said ‘compact’ boot.

The BMW i8 is available through selected BMW dealers in Gauteng, Pretoria, Cape Town and Durban for R1 775 000. The i8 comes standard with a 5yr/100 000km mechanical warranty and 5yr/100 000km service plan.

Best suited hotspot in Jozi to find an i8: those who drive an i8 celebrate their success. On a Friday evening an i8 could be found discreetly parked at the newly renovated Westcliff Hotel, which is now known as the famous, Four Seasons. On a Sunday, expect to find an i8 parked along the leafy boulevards of Melrose Arch, as its owner unwinds at Winesense, sipping on the finest wines and savouring a cigar.

www.nissan.co.za

www.bmw.co.za