In the form of the all new BMW i8 Roadster, recently unveiled, the roadster version of its i8 gasoline electric plug-in hybrid sports car, includes an improved power plant which is more efficient and with more range
The proportions, lines and surface design mark out both the BMW i8 Coupe and BMW i8 Roadster as belonging to a new breed of sports car. On an individual level, the BMW i8 Coupe stands out as an extremely sporty 2+2 seater, while the BMW i8 Roadster oozes all the freedom of open-top motoring for two.
The BMW i8 Roadster carries over the BMW i design language into another vehicle concept, and is awash with individual highlights that radiate elegance and fire the emotions. The soft-top roof has a visual lightness to go with its low physical weight and serves as a defining element of the silhouette in reinforcing the road-hugging impression made by the car’s low centre of gravity. The body’s dynamic wedge shape can also be best appreciated when viewing the two-seater in profile. The new BMW i8 Roadster, the new BMW i8 Coupe.
When opened, the BMW i8 Roadster’s broad roof retracts fully into the rear end. A unique mechanism allows the soft-top to be folded into a compact package and stowed away in a perpendicular position, creating around 100 litres of additional storage space behind the seats. The all-electric roof opens and closes very quietly in 15 seconds, a process which can be initiated while travelling at up to 50 km/h (31 mph). Dropping down the roof raises the rear window by around 30 millimetres into a comfort position, where it can serve as a draught stop.
The internal combustion engine has also undergone further optimisation. The three-cylinder unit extracts maximum output of 170 kW/231 hp from its displacement of just 1.5 litres, along with peak torque of 320 Nm (236 lb-ft). In the process, it generates an even sportier soundtrack. A particulate filter is now fitted to further reduce emissions by absorbing the particulate matter contained in the exhaust gases.
The system output produced by the electric motor and engine acting in unison is now 275 kW/374 hp. The new BMW i8 Roadster accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (156 mph). Combined fuel consumption, as calculated in the EU test cycle for plug-in hybrid vehicles, stands at 2.0 litres per 100 kilometres (141.2 mpg imp)* for the BMW i8 Roadster, plus 14.0 kWh and 14.5 kWh of electrical energy respectively per 100 kilometres*. Petrol CO2 emissions come in at 46 grams per kilometre* for the BMW i8 Roadster.
The BMW i8 Roadster will become the brands second most expensive car priced at £138,335
