The 2018 BMW i8 Roadster will enter the Indian market later this year; boasts highly-advanced electric powertrain technology
The new BMW i8 Roadster was unveiled at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show and has borrowed its dihedral doors from its hard-top cousin. Along with multiple cosmetic revisions, the long craved mechanical upgrades have also been introduced.
It has now made its India debut at the ongoing Auto Expo in Greater Noida. It targets a big band of luxury buyers and BMW will not shy away from pricing it a notch above its coupe sibling. Here is all the vital information you need to know about the 2018 BMW i8 Roadster:
2018 BMW i8 Roadster Exterior and Design
The Roadster has opted for a revised version of the standard i8 plug-in hybrid’s tailgate unit as the dihedral doors makes it more visually standing out. It boasts styling partially inspired by the BMW i Vision Future Interaction concept displayed at 2016 CES (Consumer Electronics Show).
Apparently, the open-top config makes it heavier than the coupe because more strengthening materials had to be added to offset the lost roof. However, the weight penalty is just 60 kilograms thanks to the carbon bodyshell as the curb weight is claimed at just 1,595 kg.
Also Read: 2018 Auto Expo Live Coverage And Articles
BMW has the iNext lined up for 2021 and it will comprise of Level 3.5 autonomous tech. The combined fuel economy rating is 2.1-litre per 100 km with assistance of electric motor while the CO2 emission stands at 48 g/km – slightly lower figures than the coupe.
2018 BMW i8 Roadster Engine, Specs and Performance
| Engine | 1.5L Turbo Three-Cyl Petrol and Electric Motor |
| Power | 374 horsepower |
| Torque | 320 Nm |
| Transmission | Six-Speed Automatic |
| 0-100 kmph | 4.4 seconds |
The hybrid engine has certainly been uprated with an intricate 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine coupled with synchronous electric motor mounted up front. The updated Roadster is built on an aluminium chassis with carbon fibre monotub.
The 1.5-litre turbocharged engine now produces 231 hp (3 hp more) and the electric motor develops 143 hp (12 hp more) for a combined output of 374 hp enabling the Roadster to do 0-100 kmph in just 4.4 seconds with electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (250 kmph).
The battery capacity is now up from 20 Ah to 34 Ah and from 7.1 kWh to 11.6 kWh. The 2018 i8 Roadster can do speeds of up to 105 kmph on electric power alone in eDrive mode. The full-electric range is up by 56 km on the New European Driving Cycle.
2018 BMW i8 Roadster Interior and Features
In a similar fashion to the exterior, there are more changes inside the cabin compared to the outgoing global model. Some of the important features are the latest BMW iDrive infotainment with gesture control accompanied by improved layout and advanced connectivity. The association with Intel and Mobileye could have aided to an extent in launching new levels of self-driving tech.
The Roadster is also available with a folding soft-top. However, the disadvantage is performance penalty and sacrificing rear seats. The roof can be raised and lowered into Z-shaped vertical stack in just 15 seconds at speeds of up to 50 kmph. The suspension is also tuned in the Roadster along with new wheels to help reduce unsprung weight.
2018 BMW i8 Roadster India Launch
| 2018 BMW i8 Roadster Launch | Later This Year |
2018 BMW i8 Roadster India Price
BMW will indeed be introducing the i8 Roadster in the domestic luxury space sometime during the later part of this year.
| 2018 BMW i8 Roadster India Price |
The roadster version of the i8 could cost around Rs. 3 crore (ex-showroom) in the Indian market considering that the hardtop model is sold at Rs. 2.62 crore (ex-showroom).
2018 BMW i8 Roadster India Images
