BMW i8 Spyder Concept – topless i8 set for Beijing debut

BMW i8 Spyder Concept – topless i8 set for Beijing debut

This is the BMW i8 Spyder Concept that will debut at the upcoming Beijing motor show. This topless i8 comes barely a year after BMW wheeled out the i3 and i8 concepts at Frankfurt. The i8 also famously starred in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol, driven by Tom Cruise’s Ethan Hunt.

Described as an open top with genuine sports car performance, but with fuel consumption no higher than you would expect from a small car, the i8 Spyder has a slightly shorter wheelbase and overall length compared to the fixed-top i8.

BMW i8 Spyder Concept – topless i8 set for Beijing debut

Highlights include the upward-swivelling windowless doors and a range of purpose-oriented on-board equipment such as electric kickboards stowed under a transparent tailgate.

Based on BMW’s LifeDrive architecture, the i8 Spyder Concept is a plug-in hybrid powered by an eDrive drivetrain combining an electric motor and a petrol combustion engine.

BMW i8 Spyder Concept – topless i8 set for Beijing debut

The 131 hp electric motor on the front axle works in tandem with a turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine sending 223 hp through the rear wheels.

Both units are in-house BMW developments and generate an aggregate system output of 354 hp and 550 Nm. That is enough to accelerate the car from 0-100 km/h in five seconds flat. This performance is married to super low fuel consumption of just three litres of unleaded per 100 km!

BMW i8 Spyder Concept – topless i8 set for Beijing debut

The lithium-ion battery can be fully charged from a domestic power socket in less than two hours. The pack is located in the “energy tunnel” between the front and rear axle modules to keep the car’s centre of gravity as low as possible – the i8 Spyder also features BMW’s famous 50:50 weight distribution. Fully charged, the car can travel 30 km on electric power alone.

We’ve covered the i3/i8 launch extensively – click here for the full story, gallery and various videos explaining Munich’s i sub-brand.

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • billy on Apr 02, 2012 at 2:42 pm

    BMW is getting more & more exciting…any response from MB?

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  • putra_rider on Apr 02, 2012 at 2:44 pm

    Giler la!!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Meesai on Apr 02, 2012 at 7:21 pm

    Woww…like a bat mobile…

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  • Unforgiven on Apr 03, 2012 at 9:41 am

    Beside the Bugatti Veron, Tun’s son should get this as well…

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  • Annecy on Apr 03, 2012 at 3:03 pm

    BMW should totally launch this! Just minor tweaks to the design to make it practical for daily life. My guess is it would be a huge hit in Europe, where fuel economy is paramount in these times. Also, in my personal opinion, it looks a ton sportier than the Z4.

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  • orang_letrik on Apr 23, 2012 at 8:35 pm

    chantek gile.
    kalo xsalah kete ni yang ade dalam cite MI4.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

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