A third member of the BMW i family is about to make its way through. BMW i8 Roadster teased ahead of its big reveal. The short video clip depicts a well camouflaged hybrid droptop.
Earlier this year, we got to see some spy shots online. The BMW i8 Roadster is expected to launch in 2018. It’s first appearance was made as the BMW i8 Concept Roadster back in 2014 in Los Angeles. Last year it was confirmed by Harald Krüger, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG, that it was to go into production.
Much like the i8 Coupe, the new variant also promises to be “virtually silent and with zero emissions.” Not stated officially, but there are quite a few similarities to the coupe that can already be seen.
The only part not wrapped is the roof, which to me, upon closer inspection of the video, looks like a retractable hardtop. However, speculation suspects that it’s likely to be a fabric top.
The BMW i8 Roadster is likely to be powered by a turbocharged 3-cylinder petrol engine. In addition, the front wheels will be powered by an electric motor energized by a lithium-ion battery pack.
Its output might get the rumoured power boost that’s expected on the coupes facelift. The alleged facelift will also feature a bigger battery pack that will allow an extended electric range. The i8 Roadster might come packed with all of these from the get-go.
Watch this Video of the BMW i8 Roadster as released by BMW.
The production version is due in 2018 but I’m hoping on an early reveal!
Engine of the Year awards 2017
For the third year running, the i8’s drive system has successfully taken title in its class. At the recent International Engine of the Year Awards, BMW took a win in the 1.4-litre to 1.8-litre displacement category.
As described by BMW:
“The plug-in hybrid drive system powering the BMW i8 combines the performance of a sports car with the fuel economy of a far smaller model. The three-cylinder combustion engine in the BMW i8 develops 170 kW/231 hp and drives the rear wheels, while the 96 kW/131 hp electric motor draws its energy from a lithium-ion battery, which can be charged from a conventional domestic power socket and sends its power to the front axle. This bespoke plug-in hybrid system, developed and produced by the BMW Group, enables a range of up to 37 kilometres in the EU test cycle and a top speed of 120 km/h on electric power alone, coupled with a “glued-to-the-road” all-wheel driving experience headlined by powerful acceleration and a dynamically-biased distribution of power through keenly taken corners.”
