BMW has released the first teaser for the i8
Roadster on its social media, showcasing the third model of the i lineup inside
a wind tunnel. The Bavarian car maker will introduce the topless version of the
i8 next to the facelifted hardtop model.
New features will include a set of redesigned LED
headlights, along with new bumpers front and rear and a refreshed range of
alloy wheel designs. The most important revision however is going to be the new
rear design, as the Roadster is set to get a pair of buttresses behind the
driver and passenger.
The butterfly doors remain, since their mechanism is mounted on the A-pillars, while the
soft-top is expected to be manually removable. The hybrid powertrain, which
combines a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol mounted in the middle with an electric
motor up front, is also expected to get a 10 percent boost in its output for a
total closer to 420 hp, instead of the current model’s 357 hp.
The interior will also gain new upholstery options
along with BMW’s latest generation of infotainment systems. BMW is planning to
launch the new i8 and i8 Roadster in early 2018, with the public debut taking
place in the next few months.
