When BMW displayed the i-brand concepts, we didn’t realize that the German manufacturer wanted to make production versions so fast, but before we even knew it, the BMW i3 and the BMW i8 hit the market. The other vehicle in the lineup called the i8 Spyder is the one we cannot wait to see, and its concept was introduced in 2012, but now we have finally seen the prototype undergoing some test. The quality of the photos isn’t the best, but we are so excited to have them finally.
BMW i8 Spyder Release Date
However, seeing this prototype shouldn’t be surprising because BMW CEO Harald Krueger said a few months ago that the production is targeted for 2018. Even though the Spyder on the photos is probably not the final version, it won’t be long before we see the production model.
Exterior
The materials used for the body of the i8 Coupe are carbon fiber, plastic, and aluminum and because of that, the car should weight no more than 3,300 pounds. The same goes for Spyder where lightweight aluminum will be used for the doors and hood, while the front and rear fascias and front fenders will be made of a thermoplastic. The i8 Spyder will be similar to its sibling, and we even expect to see the same aerodynamic hood, front segment, and the iconic kidney grille.
The top is where it gets interesting because we don’t know which materials BMW plans to use. CFRP or glass are rumored, and we bet that it will be a hard top. However, don’t hold your breath for an automatic top and the reason for that is that there is no room for all the extra mechanics required. The rear part of the 2018 BMW i8 Spyder will be completely different, and we can see a pair of supports for rollover protection whereas the rear deck is much flatter on this i8 Spyder prototype. These changes will significantly alter the aerodynamics of the car.
Despite the heavy camouflage, the same side skirts are visible and almost identical general rear fascia. Moreover, BMW decided not to change the taillights, and with that in mind, we are looking at what is going to be one handsome vehicle.
2018 BMW i8 Spyder Interior
The body has to be modified in order to make a distinction between the i8 and the i8 Spyder, but the interior will not go through a drastic overhaul. The 2018 BMW i8 Spyder will feature six-way power front seats with three-stage heating, three-spoke sport steering wheel with paddle shifters, a full-color heads-up display and leather upholstery with cloth details. The company’s Navigation professional system with an 8.8-inch display will be installed as well, and it will go together with USB and Bluetooth phone connectivity. The all-digital instrument cluster is expected whereas you can enjoy quality sounds coming from a Harman Kardon sound system with a 360-Watt amplifier.
In the rear end of the cabin, there will be no seats, and just because of this, an automatic roof is possible in theory, but it is still unlikely. You will have a lot of two-tone color options to choose from, while in order to match the backlighting and main instrument cluster color, details and stitching could be blue. The 2018 BMW i8 Spyder is going to feature the same center console, door trim, and dashboard design as the regular i8, but you will be able to tell the difference because of the small tweaks.
Engine, Transmission, Battery
This hybrid supercar is going to sport the same mechanical and electrical parts as the coupe, which means that we can expect an AC synchronous electric motor good for 129 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. The engine which will be used is the 1.5-liter twin-turbo three-banger which generates 228 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque. Using the simple math, we can conclude that the complete output of the car is 357 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque.
In addition, the 2018 BMW i8 Spyder will come with a 7.1 kWh lithium-ion battery, while the electric motor will be combined with a two-speed automatic transmission whereas the ICE pairs with a six-speed auto. The all-electric range will be limited to 15 miles with the top speed reaching 70-75 mph. When both systems are active, the i8 Spyder can reach 60 mph in just 4.6 seconds whereas the top speed of the car is 155 mph.
You can charge the coupe with a level 2 home charging station in 2.5 hours, and these figures will remain the same for the Spyder. However, if the capacity of the battery increases, it may take slightly more time to recharge it, but that is completely fine as we would get more range. The drive modes besides the eDrive are Eco Pro, Comfort and Sport.
BMW i8 Spyder Price
It is too early to talk about the price, but the i8 Coupe costs $140,700, but the 2018 BMW i8 Spyder should see some increase in this segment. Our guess is around $150,000, as this car will go against the Audi R8 Spyder, Acura NSX Spyder and Tesla Roadster.
Follow us for more details.
