Luxury automaker BMW is always looking for ways to stay ahead of the market, and this time it's focusing on a very "green" way to do so. Recently, Engadget caught one of the brand's new, groundbreaking concepts doing some intense winter testing. This vehicle, the BMW i8 hybrid concept car, was first revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show last July, and has seen some small changes since that time. The great news is, it will likely keep its funky gullwing-like doors in its final production-ready product.

The fact that the new BMW i8 is hitting production lines at all is a pleasant surprise. Many experts didn't expect it to make the cut with its funky design and futuristic elements. It was even called the "new-generation sports car" by BMW while at Frankfurt. Rumor has it, the new hybrid will appear in showrooms, like Bert Smith BMW, sometime in 2014. In the meantime, it's cutting some serious snow doughnuts.

The 2014 BMW Plug-In Hybrid Concept Features:

- Fuel economy:  an estimated 94 mpg combined rating, with an electric-only range of 20 miles
- Power and performance: an estimated 400 horsepower and an amazing zero-to-sixty time of less than five seconds
- Unique style features: Gullwing/scissor doors

Have we piqued your interest? Great! Stay tuned here with Bert Smith BMW, conveniently located at 3800 34th Street North Saint Petersburg, FL 33714, to learn more details as soon as they become available. We can't wait!