We still have a little over two years to wait until the BMW i8 makes its production debut, and from the looks of the i8 Concept, it's going to be an anxious wait.

Building on the core design of the Vision EfficientDynamics concept revealed at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, the BMW i8 Concept is a very futuristic take on the idea of a plug-in hybrid sports car. The clear glass doors, laser headlights, and sculpted, flowing body work mark the i8 out as something truly unique.

Whether all of these rather extreme details will survive to production is another issue entirely. One of the aspects of the concept that seems much more believable is the powertrain: a three-cylinder gasoline engine driving the rear axle, an electric motor driving the front wheels, and a computerized system that lets them work independently or together as needed.

Performance for the i8 Concept is claimed at 5.9 seconds too 62 mph and a limited top speed of 155 mph--very solid figures for a hybrid of any sort--especially one capable of 78 mpg. For more info on the i8, check out our preview here.