Jaws drop around the motoring world as BMW reveals astonishing i8 spyder

BMW has officially unveiled a concept i8 sans the roof. The BMW i8 spyder does not differ much from its coupe sibling besides riding on a shorter height and wheelbase. It also features laser headlights, a semi-transparent hood and a rakish windscreen with an integrated spoiler. At the rear, there's a diffuser, "three-dimensional air outlets" and U-shaped taillights.

The cabin looks polished with leather upholstery, carbon fiber trim and piano black accents. There's also a digital instrument cluster and a three-dimensional iDrive display. The center console seems traditional, with real buttons next to the gear shifter, a climate control system, and a standard iDrive knob. BMW also has added a storage bay large enough for two electric scooters.

Like the coupe the powertrain gives the i8 a combined output of 349hp and 550 Nm of torque. The Spyder takes just 5.0 seconds to reach 100 km/h, and maxes out at 250 km/h. The lithium-ion batteries can travel up to 30 kilometres on electric mode alone. This helps to give the car a combined fuel consumption rating of 3L/100 km. Recharge time is said to be two hours on a 240 volt power outlet.

The doors have lost its transparent touch and seem to be covered with materials similar to the rest of the car with traditional door handles. Fortunately they still retain the iconic butterfly doors with a windscreen surrounded by black tint. It is unclear how the spyder will shelter its occupants during unfavourable weather, but my personal guess is, the spyder could be a targa top with a removable roof, or like the Aventador J, the roof could be absent.

The i8 models will be built at BMW’s Leipzig plant and is expected to make its world premiere at the Auto China Show 2012, in Beijing later this month.