The i8 from BMW has just one available powerplant. A 1.5-liter, three-cylinder turbocharged gas engine is coupled with an 11.6-kWh battery and two electric motors in this vehicle. With their combined 369 horsepower, the trio of engines can move all four wheels. But it’s not the quickest supercar around: In 4.1 seconds, the 2019 i8 roadster we tested could accelerate from 0 to 60 mph. The same mild steering we’ve questioned in many recent BMWs is present in the i8. More feedback is preferred, especially in a vehicle designed with sporting purposes. Surprisingly, the ride is smooth, and road imperfections are felt but never sharply.
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Roadster[edit]
The 2012 Beijing Auto Show saw the debut of the BMW i8 Spyder concept. BMW declared in October 2016 that the roadster model would be a 2018 addition to the lineup of BMW I vehicles. The BMW i8 Roadster’s production version made its debut in late 2017, and the first 18 first edition cars were delivered in May 2018.
Both the coupe and the roadster versions’ battery cell capacities were raised from 20 to 34 Ah, with a gross energy content of 11.6 kWh. In parallel, improved battery cell technology allowed the electric motor’s peak power to be raised by 9 kW/12 hp to 105 kW/143 hp. Due to these advancements, the BMW i8 Coupe was able to reach 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill in 4.4 seconds, while the BMW i8 Roadster needed 4.6 seconds. The top speed of both vehicles was 250 km/h. For the BMW i8 Coupe and BMW i8 Roadster, the all-electric range increased to 55 km (34 mi) and 53 km (33 mi), respectively. The BMW i8 Roadster only had two seats, and its two-piece electric roof folded neatly into the area ordinarily occupied by the back seats.
BMW’s petrol-electric i8 may be specialized, but the model’s appeal is increased by its new Roadster.
- Style, originality, and an EV powertrain with more performance and range make more sense
- Performance is hot hatchier and more akin to a GT vehicle.
The Munich-based company has given its petrol-electric sports car a mid-life update as well as extended its electric driving range as the BMW i8 coupe approaches half a decade on our roads. But much more obviously, the addition of the i8 Roadster has increased the number of vehicles available.
In response to consumer demand, this new variation has been developed. There were a few challenges to overcome before the i8 Roadster could be unveiled at the LA auto show at the end of 2017. BMW’s product designers had never intended for the carbon tub of the i8 to be used without a roof. But the outcome is a two-seater open-top vehicle that retains all of the original coupe’s design impact while also adding to the attractiveness of this particular hybrid sports car.
BMW i8 roadster photos
A three-cylinder gasoline engine and a hybrid synchronous electric motor power the i8 Roadster. The front wheels are propelled by the electric motor using a two-speed automatic gearbox, while the rear wheels receive power from the engine through a six-speed automatic transmission.
According to BMW, the percentage of miles driven where the car is powered completely by an electric motor has increased. When moving quickly, the combustion engine is only engaged; when traveling slowly, it is turned off more frequently. An upgraded lithium-ion battery from the i8 powers its increased electric-only range. The centrally positioned high-voltage unit has a 34 Ah cell capacity instead of the standard 20 Ah cell size. The motor now has access to additional energy as a result of everything. Additionally, the cell arrangement enables a 12 horsepower boost in peak output to 143 horsepower.
The i8 Roadster can now travel up to 33 miles on electricity alone, an increase from the previous 22 miles.
The 1.54 liter, three-cylinder combustion engine in the i8 has also been enhanced, now producing 231 horsepower. The system output produced by the engine and electric motor working together has grown from the coupe’s 357 horsepower to 374 hp. The new i8 Roadster has an electronically regulated top speed of 155 mph and only 4.6 seconds to accelerate to 60 mph.
Beauty Goes Beyond the Surface
Of course, the BMW i8 Roadster is stunning first and foremost. If you believe differently, you are mistaken. It has the characteristics of a classic sports coupe, including a long wheelbase, low overhangs, and an absurd wedge shape. It has stunning flying buttresses. Up front, you still have kidney grilles that are somewhat conventional, and the roadster in particular is aging very gracefully. Not to mention the magnificent scissor doors, of course. 20″ wheels and brakes that have been coated black complete the appearance.
The stunning inside of the i8 Roadster is on show for all to see, which is one of my favorite advantages over the coupe. The excellent leather options the i8 has at its disposal match beautifully with the standard Carbon Fiber trim. The majority of the colors, including white, “e-Copper” (think cognac), Dalbergia Brown, and of course, basic Black, are vibrant and all express themselves well. The gauges have a classic speedometer design and vivid colors that change depending on the drive mode, making them still more visually appealing than iDrive 7 gauges while being digital.
Range, efficiency, and charging of the BMW i8 Roadster
The BMW i8 gets 69 MPGe, which is efficient for a sports car but not very efficient for an electric vehicle.
BMW modified the i8’s powertrain with the introduction of the new Roadster version, adding a larger battery (11.6 kWh, up from 7 kWh).
With this new battery pack, which feeds a 105 kW/143 hp electric motor driving the front wheels while a three-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo drives the rear wheels for an all-wheel-drive system, they were claiming a range of 33 miles (53 km) during the unveiling.
The car we tested’s system was reporting 22 miles on a full charge, even though the EPA-recommended range is only 17 miles.
The BMW i8 only has a 7 kW onboard charger, but it’s sufficient when you have a 12 kWh battery pack. In theory, many individuals could commute solely on electricity, especially if they have a charger at work. The issue is that the gas engine frequently starts up with rapid acceleration.
Therefore, unless you want to drive like your grandma, it’s incredibly difficult to operate the BMW i8 only on electric power.
But all we’re talking about here is briefly switching to “electric assist” mode.
You may possibly spend months on a single tank of petrol if you usually drive the car in bursts of 20 miles or less, which, believe it or not, is how most people travel on a daily basis.
What kind of car is the BMW i8 Roadster?
The futuristic i8 Coupe has a convertible counterpart called the BMW i8 Roadster. It offers supercar-like performance in a striking package that will stand out more at the neighborhood gas station than vehicles like the Honda NSX and Audi R8 Spyder.
The i8 Roadster is a hybrid, so you won’t need to fill it up very often. When its batteries are fully charged (which takes three hours with a special wall charger), you can travel about 30 miles in electric-only mode.
The 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine rapidly starts up to help out when the batteries run out of power or when you apply heavy acceleration. Together, they generate 374 horsepower, which allows the i8 Roadster to accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 155 mph.
The BMW feels even more responsive on a winding country road while in Sport mode since the petrol engine is continuously operating. Additional benefits include on-the-go battery recharging and some sporty crackles and wooshes that sound great, especially with the roof down.
Don’t worry if it starts to rain; you can raise the roof electronically at speeds of up to 30 mph. At motorway speeds, it performs a fantastic job of muzzling any unwelcome wind noise and provides enough headroom for you to be comfortable, even if you’re over six feet tall.
When you press the pedal in the Roadster, the frantic 1.5-liter petrol engine makes an angry hot hatch sound like it’s chasing you, especially with the roof down.
Speaking of interior room, the i8 Roadster lacks the coupe’s second row of seats. Instead, you receive a more practical luggage storage shelf that can accommodate three sizable soft bags. You actually get a little bit more luggage room in the BMW Roadster than in the hard-top when you combine this with an additional storage compartment under the engine cover.
The roadster’s cabin, however, is exactly like the coupe’s. Its straightforward, minimalist design makes everything simple to use, and plenty of luxurious leather and brushed metal accents ensure that the interior is far more upscale than that of cars like the Honda NSX. In addition, you receive one of the most user-friendly infotainment systems available and a sleek digital driver’s display as standard instead of traditional analogue dials.
Other cutting-edge features included as standard equipment include automatic emergency braking, which will stop the vehicle in an emergency if it senses an obstruction in the road ahead. Although the i8 has not been crash-tested by Euro NCAP, features like these make it one of the greatest hybrid performance cars now on the market and a very safe sports car.
MSRP starting at $147,500 *
You belong to a distinct cat breed. Hard-working. unconventional thinking Some people could even describe you as revolutionary or rebellious. Your spirit animal in the guise of a luxurious hybrid sports automobile may be the 2021 BMW i8. It’s a forward-thinking, unorthodox Coupe and Roadster. Sports hybrid vehicles are no longer so unique. But this one is special because it was designed specifically to harness amazing hybrid power and was expertly made to provide a driving experience unlike any other. With plenty of visual sex appeal due to its hardtop coupe or convertible roadster’s opening dihedral doors. Additionally, it has a powerful plug-in powertrain that is quicker than weaker hybrids. All of these factors combined to provide a comfortable, interesting, and user-friendly driving experience. The 2021 i8 offers brilliance for your daily life or that once-in-a-lifetime cross-country road trip, starting at $147,500. You can go from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds and top out at 155 mph. Choose a convertible if you like to drive with the top down. It has just one motor and comes standard with all-wheel drive. Every model comes standard with heated front seats, a head-up display, a Harman/Kardon audio system, and Apple CarPlay compatibility. That certainly qualifies as a non-standard list of standards. The Tera World option, which adds ceramic controls, black brake calipers, blue seatbelts, and a special brown interior, may be just what your rebel needs to turn the heat up even higher. We know you don’t do things halfway or conventionally.
Call our sales staff at 760-469-4242 if you are looking for a new BMW i8 Model in Palm Springs, California, want to lease one, or have questions regarding price. Alternatively, if you’re ready for a test drive, stop by our BMW Dealership. In addition, we have customers from cities like Ontario, Riverside, and Murrieta, California. No matter where you’re from, BMW of Palm Springs will make you feel at home.
BMW i8: An electric vehicle?
Most recent information: By the end of 2018, India is anticipated to introduce the refreshed i8 Coupe and the new BMW i8 Roadster, which were both on display at the 2018 Indian Auto Expo in February.
Price and options for the BMW i8: The i8 is not presently available in India. When it was put up for sale in the nation, the pricing was set at Rs 2.62 crore (ex-showroom India).
Powertrain of the BMW i8: The plug-in hybrid sports car’s powertrain combines an electric motor with a gasoline engine to provide propulsion for all four wheels.
The 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder mid-mounted engine in the BMW i8 drives the rear wheels and has a maximum output of 235PS and 320Nm. The front axle is driven by an electric motor with a 131PS and 250Nm rating. The hybrid system’s total combined output is 570Nm and 363PS. When driven in full electric mode, the electric motor is coupled with a 2-speed gearbox instead of the engine’s 6-speed automatic transmission.
Performance: The BMW i8 can reach its electronically limited top speed of 250 kmph after accelerating from 0 to 100 kmph in just 4.4 seconds.
Fuel economy and range: The hybrid sports car, the BMW i8, has a certified fuel economy of 47.45 kmpl and an all-electric range of 25 to 35 kilometers. In EV mode, the i8 has a top speed of up to 120 kph.
Features of the BMW i8: The BMW i8 is a high-end vehicle and is outfitted accordingly. Six airbags, ABS with braking assist and cornering brake control, ISOFIX child seat anchors, dynamic stability control with dynamic traction control, and other safety features come standard. Others include a 10.2-inch iDrive infotainment display with a 360W Harman Kardon 11-speaker surround sound system, automatic LED lighting on both ends, dual-zone climate control, powered front seats, a multi-view camera with object recognition, a BMW head-up display, and front and rear parking sensors, among others.
Competition for the BMW i8: Since the i8 is the only plug-in hybrid sports car available in the nation, it has no real competitors.