BMW i8 Releases 2017 Version, Sold Out In 2 Days

BMW is giving its three-year-old alternative flagship a makeover in order to boost range, boost performance, and add some flair.

The i8’s update, referred to as a “mid-cycle refresh” in the industry, was unveiled at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show. It boosts the car’s all-electric range from 15 to 18 miles by increasing the battery capacity from 7.1 to 11.7 kilowatt-hours.

However, you could be missing the point if you’re purchasing the i8 for its electric-mode range.

Instead, an electric motor with a 141 horsepower rating—a 12 horsepower increase over the preceding motor—is powered by a more durable battery.

A 1.5-liter turbocharged inline-3 combustion engine that has been tuned to produce less noise still powers the more potent motor.

From 362 horsepower in the previous generation, the integrated system now generates a net 369 horsepower.

The new 2009 BMW i8 Roadster is taking center stage in Tinseltown, though, so the i8’s drivetrain improvements aren’t the biggest news for BMW’s alt-powertain i brand.

Five years after the i8 Concept Spyder’s launch, the production convertible makes its appearance. It gains 132 pounds of weight over the coupe while losing its back seats.

The i8 Roadster has a vertical rear window, frameless doors, a redesigned engine cover, and new aerodynamic cowls to help direct air to the Roadster’s rear spoiler winglets, in addition to its powered soft-top and absence of rear thrones.

The Roadster’s soft-top, which can be lifted and lowered at up to 31 mph, has a 16-second transformation time, according to BMW.

To guarantee that performance is comparable to that of the coupe, the i8 Roadster also undergoes a number of subsystem modifications.

The convertible was given a custom suspension and damping tune by engineers, who also improved the steering characteristics, strengthened the roll stabilization, and increased steering precision.

With the improved drivetrain of the i8, the Roadster can reach 60 mph in 4.4 seconds. Coupe models just take 0.2 seconds longer to accomplish the task.

Spring 2018 sees the arrival of the 2019 BMW i8 in stores. The soft-top plug-in hybrid is the most costly vehicle in BMW’s portfolio, with the new Roadster costing a hefty $164,295 including delivery.

The starting price of the 2019 i8 Coupe is $148,495. Leather upholstery, heated front seats, 20-inch alloy wheels, and a driver’s head-up display are standard on all i8 variants.

The Tera World trim package ($3,700 for Coupes and $2,500 for Roadsters) is the only available option. It mysteriously comes with a “leather engine cover” and $6,300 laser headlights.

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