Driver and passenger in the all new BMW i8 Roadster will look up to find either the open sky or a high-quality, all-season fabric soft-top with high-level soundproofing. All-electric operation ensures the roof opens or closes in an almost silent hush, within 15 seconds and while travelling at up to 50km/h. This makes the i8 Roadster the BMW with the fastest opening roof across all the company's models.
The i8 Roadster's roof opens and closes in an almost silent hush within 15 seconds, and at up to 50km/h
The three segments of the roof fold vertically in a Z-shape, thus taking up very little space and leaving an additional 100 litres of storage capacity between the roof box and the seats. This is in addition to the 88 litres of cargo space in the rear compartment.
Intelligent, lightweight design and innovative production technology play a key role in the car's construction. For example, aluminum elements connecting the roof with the body of the car are produced via a new 3D printing process.
The framework was provided by the new LifeDrive vehicle architecture for BMW i models, whose horizontally split structure comprising an aluminium chassis and a CFRP passenger cell offers an exceptional degree of design freedom. The new i8 Roadster translates the BMW i design language to another vehicle concept, fusing the proportions of the i8 Coupe with signature roadster features to give it a character all of its own.
The i8 Roadster is equipped with exclusive 20-inch light-alloy wheels in a W-spoke design. Intelligent lightweight design also makes an impact here, with each wheel weighing around one kilogram less than the lightest wheels previously available for the i8. Customers can also choose from another three light-alloy wheel variants with the same dimensions.
BMW Professional Navigation system is controlled using iDrive, comprising an iDrive Touch Controller and an 8.8-inch freestanding Control Display screen
The progressive style of the i8 Roadster also shines through clearly in the interior design. Standard specification for both includes a sports steering wheel and multi-functional instrument display plus Carpo interior trim comprising full-leather upholstery in Ivory White for the Coupe and Ivory White/Black for the Roadster.
The new BMW i8 Roadster is powered by a hybrid synchronous electric motor and a three-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology.
The engine's power is fed to the rear wheels through a six-speed Steptronic transmission, while the electric motor propels the front wheels via a two-speed automatic gearbox. The end result is a hybrid-specific all-wheel drive system that glues the car to the road.
The i8's combustion engine has also undergone further improvements. The turbocharged three-cylinder unit featuring direct injection and variable valve timing extracts a maximum output of 228bhp from its displacement of just 1.5-litres, plus peak torque of 320Nm. It is pleasantly refined and generates a distinctive soundtrack that now has an even sportier note when its power reserves are called upon.
The system output produced by the electric motor and engine acting in unison has increased to 369bhp. The new i8 Roadster takes 4.6 seconds from 0-100km/h and has an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.
