Skip advert
Advertisement

New BMW i8 Roadster revealed alongside updated i8 Coupe

Along with a folding fabric roof, the new BMW i8 Roadster also benefits from the same subtle mechanical upgrades as the Coupe.

BMW has officially revealed a long-awaited soft-top variant of its i8 hybrid supercar, which joins an upgraded version of the standard Coupe. Both cars benefit from gentle visual and mechanical upgrades, including an improved plug-in drivetrain with a bigger EV range and higher system power outputs too.

We’ve already seen teased images of the Roadster, but this is the first time we’ve had any official details about the new package. For starters, the thanks to the i8’s light, strong and rigid carbonfibre tub construction the soft top i8 is only 60kg heavier than the Coupe at 1595kg. BMW has also been able to retain the Coupe’s distinctive dihedral doors for the Roadster, designing new frameless units made from carbonfibre and overlaid with an aluminium skin.

Advertisement - Article continues below

> Click here for our review of the current BMW i8

The Roadster’s folding roof is a compact fabric unit, slipping underneath a new interpretation of the i8 Coupe’s floating rear buttresses when stowed. Other aesthetic changes include two new colour options, laser headlights and redesigned 20-inch alloy wheels. Also included is new technology such as BMW’s controversial ‘display key’ as well as the latest iDrive infotainment system. All of these updates, apart from the fabric roof, will also feature on the Coupe

Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

BMW has also upgraded the battery pack for both new models, raising capacity to 11.6kWh up from the previous i8’s 7.1kWh. Electric-only range is up nearly 50 per cent says BMW, with up to 34 miles achievable. Efficiency improvements in the batteries also liberate an extra 12bhp from the electric motor, which powers the front wheels.  All these tweaks result in a combined power output of 374bhp. However, the mid-mounted 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine is unchanged, save for a new particulate filter reducing NOx emissions in preparation of incoming real world economy testing.

These powertrain improvements yield a 0-62mph time of 4.4 secs in the Coupe, with the slightly heavier Roadster taking a further 0.2 secs. Mpg has also been improved to 149.8mpg for the Coupe and 134.5mpg for the Roadster, although these numbers are always notoriously difficult to replicate in the real world, unless you charge frequently and mainly undertake short journeys.

Due to go on sale from January next year, the new i8 will be priced at £112,730 and £124,730 in Coupe and Roadster forms. We have been a little rough on the i8 for lacking the absolute focus of rivals like the Porsche 911, but will it make a little more sense without a roof? We’ll have to wait and see.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Bentley EXP 15 looks deep into Crewe's electric future
Bentley EXP15 Concept front
News

Bentley EXP 15 looks deep into Crewe's electric future

British brand reveals latest concept designed to reinvent the traditional saloon car
8 Jul 2025
Mercedes Concept AMG GT XX previews a Porsche Taycan rival with a British heart
Mercedes-AMG Concept GT XX – front
News

Mercedes Concept AMG GT XX previews a Porsche Taycan rival with a British heart

Innovative British motor tech and advanced high-performance batteries are at the heart of this 1341bhp concept and the production car it'll inspire
25 Jun 2025
Lotus Theory 1 concept is a three-seat, 986bhp hypercar
Lotus Theory 1
News

Lotus Theory 1 concept is a three-seat, 986bhp hypercar

With Veyron power, a carbon tub and EV underpinnings, the Lotus Theory 1 is more junior Evija than Emira successor
17 Sep 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio
News

£15k off Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio super SUV

If you have to have an SUV, a Stelvio QV is acceptable. Now it's being heavily discounted.
8 Jul 2025
MST Mk1 Sports is a more affordable less extreme Ford Escort recreation
MST Ford Escort front
News

MST Mk1 Sports is a more affordable less extreme Ford Escort recreation

Costing a tenth of most made-new classics, the MST Mk1 Sports is comparatively accessible
8 Jul 2025
New Aston Martin Vantage S revealed – Ferrari Amalfi rival is more powerful and focused
Aston Martin Vantage S front
News

New Aston Martin Vantage S revealed – Ferrari Amalfi rival is more powerful and focused

With a bump in power output among myriad detail changes, the Vantage S could be the ultimate driver’s Aston
8 Jul 2025