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Dazzling new fresh-air BMW i8 Roadster joins updated i8 Coupe

The excellent BMW i8 has had a makeover and now there are two versions to choose from. Sitting alongside the Coupe will be the fabulous new BMW i8 Roadster.
New BMW i8 Roadster and updated i8 Coupe
Electric performance with no roof: new BMW i8 Roadster joins updated i8 Coupe

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30 November 2017

  • BMW i8 is now available in two body variants – Coupe and Roadster
  • Improved BMW eDrive technology enables longer range
  • All-electric roof opens and closes within 16 seconds at speeds of up to 31mph
  • Sub-50g/km CO2 emissions makes it an ideal choice for savvy company directors
  • New BMW i8 goes on sale January 2018
  • Coupé prices start at £112,730, Roadster is priced from £124,730

YES, that headline is a terrible pun based on the fact the i8 now comes without a roof, but we hope you’ll forgive us given how cool the new BMW i8 Roadster is.

When the original i8 went on sale back in 2014 we were all blown away by just how good it was. Since then it’s gone on to be the world’s best-selling hybrid sports car. Now the new BMW i8 Roadster takes it to the next level.

It looks awesome too. A flat bonnet, visible aerodynamics, short overhangs, a long wheelbase, and a flowing roofline create a feel of speed and agility. There are some nice little design touches too, in the shape of model-specific “Roadster” badges on the C-Pillars and rear end.

The BMW i8 Roadster shares the same power configuration as the updated coupe version, a 1.5-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine and electric motor with the engine powering the rear wheels and electricity going to the front wheels. The result is all-wheel drive handling designed to glue the i8 to the road.

There are improvements over the original that make the new i8 Roadster a much better proposition though.

The high voltage batteries have been improved to offer greater range, and an increase in power from the electric motor provides more speed before the petrol engine has to jump in and assist. An electric only range of around 33 miles and an all-electric top speed of up to 75mph means the new BMW i8 Roadster is even more efficient.

Once you add the power from the petrol engine you get a total of 374bhp that can push the i8 Roadster to 60mph in around 4.5 seconds. As is traditional in a BMW the top speed is limited to 155mph but we suspect that is nowhere near the actual capability of the car.

That’s not the whole story though. The attraction of the BMW i8 is that it can perform like a thoroughbred sports car without any of the downsides, namely massive bills.

According to BMW the new i8 Roadster is capable of 134.5mpg (under the EU test cycle) and produces just 46g/km CO2. That means you can relax in heavy traffic as you run silently and efficiently on electricity, bury your foot into the carpet when the road opens up, and pay next to nothing for the privilege. Even on long journeys where the engine is doing most of the work you should still get around 40mpg.

In other words, while the price tag may place it beyond the reach of most company car drivers if you are lucky enough to be able to consider one you’ll be able to have your cake and eat it.

There’s an excellent chance that if you are slightly interested in cars you will already be aware of how good the new BMW i8 Roadster could be. If you aren’t interested then take it from us, the new BMW i8 Roadster is absolutely brilliant.

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