BMW i8 Celebration Edition Is A Protonic Red Special Only For Japan

If you live outside the UK, BMW‘s standard plug-in hybrid i8 sports cars can be ordered in one of six paint schemes, none of which includes the color red, but in Japan, things are different – for a limited time.

While configuring a BMW i8, you’ll most likely be prompted by the vehicle’s color palette, which is rather poor, being limited to four basic colors with different accents (that’s how there six options available). So what’s up with this red one, you may ask?

It isn’t wrapped in a vinyl, if that’s what you think, but rather offered by BMW’s Japanese division as part of a special limited edition fleet created to commemorate the car maker’s 100th anniversary.

Dubbed the “Celebration Edition”, the i8 features the same characteristics as the Protonic Red Limited Edition variant showcased at the Geneva Motor Show – including the “Frozen Gray Metallic” accents, and the W-spoke 470 light-alloy wheels.

However, only 20 units will be offered throughout Japan, and each one will come with an interior badge to attest its rarity and individuality. The cabin will also feature carbon-fiber interior trim, black ceramic selector lever, exclusive door sill plates and storage package (handy in the sports hybrid).

The 357 horsepower hybrid, along with the ¥23,210,000 ($208,913) BMW M6 special, is part of BMW Japan’s centenary collection, and it will cost you ¥22,000,000 ($197,945) to own.