The new BMW i8 Roadster has been unveiled alongside the updated BMW i8 Coupe at the 2017 Los Angeles motor show.
The long talked about roadster features an electric folding soft-top that’s stored in a space-saving vertical position. The soft-top can be raised or lowered in 15 seconds, and is operable at speeds up to 50km/h.
There’s also a rear windscreen that can be raised and lowered independently.
With the addition of the folding roof mechanism and structural reinforcements, the i8 Roadster weighs 1595 kilograms, or around 60kg more than the coupe model.
While the coupe can seat four people in a pinch, the roadster is purely a two-seat proposition. As there are no rear seats, there’s around 100 litres of storage space behind the driver and passenger’s seats.
Both variants use a new 11.6kWh battery pack, up from the outgoing model’s 7.1kWh unit. In electric-only mode, the top speed is 120km/h, while the driving range is now up to 53km in the soft-top, and 55km in the coupe.
There’s also an upgraded electric motor, which has gained 9kW. Now rated at 105kW of power and 250Nm of torque, the electric motor drives the front wheels.
The unchanged 170kW/320Nm 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine drives the rear wheels. Working in concert, the combined powertrain has a claimed output of 275kW.
Top speed in both the coupe and roadster is 250km/h. Flat out, the roadster has requires 4.6 seconds to complete the 0-100km/h dash, while the coupe can complete the same run in 4.4s.
Other changes include new front seats, revised interior trim options, and ‘Coupe’ or ‘Roadster’ badging around the C-pillar.
Standard features on both the coupe and roadster include a fast charging cable, the Professional satellite navigation system, the company’s latest tile-based iDrive infotainment system, a freestanding 8.8-inch screen, dynamic damper control, automated emergency braking, cruise control, and a 2.2-inch touchscreen display built into the key fob.
The roadster also features standard 20-inch wheels, and a unique suspension and stability control setup.
Options on both models include head-up display, laser high beam system, and an acoustic pedestrian warning system, which operates at speeds up to 30km/h when the car is operating in electric-only mode.
Australia
The new BMW i8 Roadster and the updated i8 Coupe go on sale globally from May 2018. We’re waiting to hear back about local timing.
MORE: i8 news, reviews, video and pricing
MORE: Everything BMW
MORE: Los Angeles motor show coverage
