IT’S the £100,000 supercar that combines high performance with low fuel consumption.

The BMWi8, powered by a small petrol engine and an electric motor, is said to be the first sports car with the consumption and emission values of a small vehicle.

The two-door coupe can go from 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds and has a top speed of 155mph.

Provided by Partridge BMW, of Eastleigh, the eye-catching vehicle was the star attraction at an event held to show schoolchildren how to save energy.

They were invited to get behind the wheel while it was parked outside Lyndhurst Community Centre, where the Schools Energy Conference was held.

The event was attended by 85 children from nine schools in the Southampton and New Forest area.

Cllr Alison Hoare, chairman of New Forest District Council, said: “The array of exhibitors at the conference was impressive, offering children lots of energy-saving ideas to take home and back to school.

“The electric cars provided by Hire A Twizy and Partridge BMW demonstrated how far these amazing cars have progressed.”

Other guests included the Sheriff of Southampton, Cllr Catherine McEwing, and Dr Julian Lewis, Tory MP for New Forest East.

He said: “I was delighted to see the children enjoying themselves and learning about energy – where it comes from and how to use it wisely.”