BMW i8

📸: Photo courtesy BMWblog.com

Although BMW's i8 fairly resembles the new generation NSX (or is that vice versa?), it must be given full credit for putting the German car maker firmly on the Hot Hybrid map. Released in 2014, the i8 has the significant distinction of being the world's best selling plug in hybrid sportscar.

📸: Photo courtesy MotorTrend.com

Unlike the other Hot Hybrids we've covered so far, BMW has used a much smaller ICE as the basis for the power train. A 1.5 liter, turbocharged inline 3 cylinder engine is paired with a single electric motor that drives the front wheels exclusively. Combined output is only 357 horsepower, but that's enough to push the i8 to it's electronically-limited top speed of 155 mph.

📸: Photo courtesy CleanTechnica.com

Hot Hybrids not only bring cutting edge drivetrain tech, but also feature innovations in other areas. The i8 is the first production car to use laser headlights, which reportedly reach further than LED lights.