BMW i8 Spyder on its way

By: Steve Smith

One of next year’s most anticipated cars, the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid, is going to lose its head. If the rumours from the Bimmerpost website are accurate, we will also see a convertible version of the i8 in late 2015 – a car based on the i8 Spyder concept first seen in 2012.

Expect the final production version to be a mix of the concept’s styling details (like the tonneau humps behind the driver and passenger) and much of the production coupe. Some BMW insiders have been shown a “production intent” model with the same Solar Orange color scheme as available on the i3, as well as thei8’s signature blue highlights.

The car’s drivetrain will be the same as the coupe – a three-cylinder 1.5-litre turbopetrol with an electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack. That all means a combined output of 266 kW and 570 N.m of torque powering a lightweight carbon-fibre-reinforced-plastic monocoque. BMW claims a fuel economy of just 2,5 litres/100 km.

BMW has confirmed the price of the coupe in the USA – $135 925 (R1,41-million). Expect the Spyder to be at least 10% more expensive.

 

 

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