The high-performance, fuel-guzzling, carbon-emitting W16, V12 and even V8 engines in most supercars leave most environmentalists grinding their teeth.
But now BMW has produced a car that sits comfortably among both motoring enthusiasts and greenies.
It is the $278,000 BMW i8 - one of the world's first environmentally considerate sports coupes - and it is on display at Cooke Howlison BMW in Dunedin.
At first glance under the hood, the i8 may not appear to be your typical supercar. Compared with most, it only has a three-cylinder, turbo-charged 1.5-litre rear-mounted petrol engine, but it has a powerful forward-mounted electric engine working in tandem with it.
It doesn't sound like much, but when you punch the pedal to the carbon-fibre floor, the leading edge technology allows both engines to send 266kW of power and 570Nm of torque to all four wheels of the 1485kg car.
Top speed is restricted to 250kmh and it will go from 0-100kmh in a little over 4 seconds.
And unlike other supercars, when this one is fully charged and fuelled it offers a range in the vicinity of 600km - about the distance from Milton to Kaikoura.
While the engine performance is impressive, it is perhaps on the outside that the car comes into its own as a supercar.
The unique styling and design with scissor-doors and space-age wings certainly turns heads in Dunedin.
It is one of those cars where you feel like the centre of the universe - everybody looks to see who is inside.
Top Gear named it Car of the Year and it has been earmarked as one of the world's future classics.
BMW New Zealand managing director Nina Englert said the i8 represented the ultimate statement when it came to green motoring.
''You can now have your cake and eat it too - sports performance motoring is now greener than ever.
''They are tailor-made innovative vehicles, constructed from a clean sheet and as such are quite literally born electric.
''BMW i has made sheer driving pleasure even more sustainable, and enthusiasts now have another option to consider when it comes to environmentally considerate personal mobility solutions.''
BMW Group New Zealand training manager Lance Roskilly, of Auckland, has had the pleasure of minding the car during its display tour around the Otago region during the past two weeks.
He said the car was simply spectacular to drive.
''Let's be honest - it's not a Lamborghini, it's not a Ferrari. We're not talking about that sort of acceleration.
''If we want that, we've got M3s, M5s and M6s that will match that.
''This is all about being a hybrid sports car that has exceptional looks and still drives to 100kmh in 4.4 seconds, which is impressive by anyone's standard.''
The car will remain on display today, but if you want to buy one, you will have to be quick.
BMW only allocated 10 i8s to be sold in New Zealand for 2015, and only two remain.
Mr Roskilly said it was possible a further 10 would be allocated next year.
''It's a fairly bespoke car. People just want one.''
