It was bound to happen: the BMW i8 was inevitably going to be compared to the Tesla Model S. Although BMW hasn’t officially unveiled the i8, I figured, “why wait?”

The Model S is an important EV but as a car, I reckon the i8 better in just about every way. We’ve much to discuss, so let’s jump right in.

1. The i8 is sportier than the Model S

The BMW i8 produces a combined 362 horsepower and can do 0-60 in 4.5 seconds. The entry-level 60 kWh Model S produces 362 horsepower. The 60 kWh Model S, however, does 0-60 in 6.5 seconds. Let’s not futz about here, gents. When we’re talking 0-60, two seconds is huge.

Yes, you can spec the Model S with an 85 kWh battery pack, pushing horsepower to 416, which will bring the Tesla 0-60 time to the sub 5-second range. Regardless, the entry-level i8 is faster.

Then we come to suspension. The i8 – by BMW’s admission – is a sports car. Though it shares its looks with the big, soft 6 Series, the i8 will be rigid and unforgiving like a good German performance car should be.

The Model S on the other hand is much more of a Grand Tourer with four doors, a more forgiving ride, and seating for seven (as long as two are kids, or dogs). It goes and handles well for its body type but it won’t hold a candle to a BMW sports car. It just won’t.

Lastly, let’s consider BMW’s M Sport line. That’s right. You thought we forgot about that one. The first i8 to be sold, as fast as it will be, is just the jumping-off point. There are sure to be a slew of factory performance upgrades from an M Sport kit all the way up to – dare I dream it – an i8 M model.

The industrial-strength Model S is on par with the basic i8. Add any of BMW’s performance prowess into the mix and the Model S is just done for, a smudge in the i8’s rearview mirror.

2. The i8 is better looking than the Model S

The Model S is good looking but the i8 is better looking. The Model S is soft and round-y.  It looks like a car you could kiss and cuddle up with it at night.

The i8, though, looks mean – like it’s been angrily carved from a block of aluminum with a megalodon tooth. Although the i8 – just like the Model S – has been built to save the polar bears, it looks like it would just as soon skin one to remake its floor mats.

The i8 has two doors instead of four. Four doors are nice when you’re trying to sell your wife on the car “look, honey! It has room for the kids and your folks!” Two doors just means your in-laws can chuff off. You’ve some serious motoring to do.

3. The i8 can travel further than the Model S

Just as I discussed earlier, The Tesla Model S – though sporty – is set up more like a Grand Tourer than anything else. That is to say, it handles well but rides like a luxury sedan – not like a true sports car.

The same is true of its range. The Model S is essentially a Grand Tourer that can’t tour. Sure, 208 miles is plenty. But let’s say you wanted to drive to New York tonight. Oh, sorry, Musk hasn’t built that interconnected series of Superchargers yet. Guess you’ll have to take the Greyhound.

The i8 is powered first and foremost by electricity. When the batteries go flat, though, the i8 draws its power from gasoline. Hop in your i8 and your onboard three-cylinder gasoline generator will take you as far as you need to go.

4. The i8 is supported by a nation-wide network of dealerships

When you’re out on your great, gasoline/electric-powered American road trip in your i8, you’ll be supported by a simply massive network of BMW dealerships with world-class service and access to all the parts your Bimmer could ever need – with speedy turn-around.

Find yourself in the middle of nowhere with a broken-down Model S and if you’re not near a major city with a Tesla showroom, you’re SOL.

5. BMW is cooler than Tesla

BMW used to make aircraft engines. Then after WWII, it made pots and pans before returning to motoring. In more recent decades, it’s made some of the most outstanding cars and motorcycles the world’s motorways and race tracks have ever seen.

What has Tesla made aside from the Model S? It built a limited production roadster based upon a Lotus. Yes, Tesla Founder and CEO Elon Musk has conceived of some other cool stuff, including they Hyperloop. But he wants someone else to make that.

Additionally, BMW owns the Le Mans 24 Hours race. It has won 24 Hours of Daytona three times and it has won the 24 Hours at the Nurburgring 19 times. That’s not all. It’s won the European Touring Car Championship, the World Touring Car Championship, the British Touring Car Championship, and the Japanese Touring Car Championship – just to name a few.

What has Tesla won? OK, it bagged Car of the Year. But certainly not this competition.